When the Steinbach Black Wings meet the Innsbruck Haie in the TWK Arena on Wednesday evening (7:15 p.m., in the live ticker on ), there will be applause for the Linzers – no matter how it turns out. Because with Nico Feldner and Marcel Witting, two native Tyroleans play for the Upper Austrians. “Lots of friends and family come to watch. That’s what makes the games special, you get extra motivation,” say the two Innsbruck exiles in unison.
Above all, the vita of Marcel Witting, who grew up near Innsbruck and got into ice hockey because he “saw it on TV with Grandpa” and “annoyed his parents until they took me to training.” , reads impressively. The 29-year-old has already celebrated three championship titles – although he only recognizes two of them himself. In the first one recorded by the statistics in 2013, he only played twice in the first team – “that doesn’t count”. Two years before that, at the age of 16, Witting moved from Innsbruck to Klagenfurt. After a year in the U20 team of the record champions, more and more appearances in the fighting team followed. In 2019 and 2021, the red jackets were at the top again – with active support from Witting.
Black Wings striker Marcel Witting in the icebreaker podcast about newfound self-confidence, lessons learned from defeats, his move from Klagenfurt to Linz and what he does exactly 48 minutes before every game.
The Tyrolean has also settled down in the Carinthian state capital for his private life. He therefore defines his home as “more like Klagenfurt and, since the summer, Linz.” In this respect, Linz’s guest appearance in Klagenfurt on Friday will also be a game in which the striker can count on keeping his fingers crossed. For example, that of his brother Samuel, who once moved to Carinthia with him and with whom he celebrated the title together in 2021. The now 26-year-old has now ended his career and is becoming a police officer. Marcel is still a bit far away from that. “You think about what could come next. But until then I still have a little something to do in Linz.” In the short term, that means three “home” wins in Innsbruck, in Klagenfurt and on Sunday in Linz (3:30 p.m.) against Asiago.
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**Title: A Conversation with Marcel Witting: The Journey from Innsbruck to Linz**
**Interviewer:** We’re here with Marcel Witting, a striker for the Steinbach Black Wings, ahead of their upcoming match against the Innsbruck Haie. Marcel, how are you feeling about the game tonight, especially with so many friends and family in attendance?
**Marcel Witting:** I’m feeling great, thank you! It’s definitely special to play in front of family and friends. It adds an extra layer of motivation for us, knowing that they’re in the stands cheering us on.
**Interviewer:** You have an impressive career, with three championship titles under your belt. Can you take us through your journey from Innsbruck to Klagenfurt, and then to Linz?
**Marcel Witting:** Well, it all started when I was a kid in Innsbruck, watching ice hockey with my grandpa. I was so fascinated by it that I bothered my parents until they brought me to training. After spending some time in my hometown, I made the jump to Klagenfurt at 16. It was a big step, but it really helped me grow as a player. The championship titles in 2019 and 2021 were incredible experiences that I’ll never forget.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of those titles, you mentioned you only count two of them. Can you elaborate on that?
**Marcel Witting:** Sure! The first title in 2013 feels a bit different for me because I only had a few appearances that season. For me, being part of a championship means contributing significantly to the team, so the titles in 2019 and 2021 are the ones I truly cherish.
**Interviewer:** You’ve settled down in Klagenfurt for your private life but have also moved to Linz recently. How do you feel about that change?
**Marcel Witting:** I see my home as a mix of Klagenfurt and Linz now. Both places have become important to me in different ways. It’s exciting to be in Linz, especially with the team’s ambitions here. But I’ll always have a piece of my heart in Innsbruck where I grew up.
**Interviewer:** As you look to the future, are you thinking about life after hockey, or is it all about the game for you right now?
**Marcel Witting:** Of course, I think about what’s next, especially since my brother Samuel is becoming a police officer after retiring from hockey. But I’m focused on the present and contributing as much as I can to the Black Wings. There are still plenty of good games ahead.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s your goal for the upcoming matches?
**Marcel Witting:** We’re aiming for three “home” wins. Winning tonight in Innsbruck would be a great start, and then we’ll take it from there into Klagenfurt and back home. We want to build momentum going forward.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your time, Marcel! Best of luck in tonight’s game and the matches ahead.
**Marcel Witting:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
