At just 20 years of age, Vinzenz Rohrer from Vorarlberg is fighting his way into a leading role with the champion ZSC Lions and into the hearts of the fans. Now he wants to cause a sensation in the Champions Hockey League.
The term "Duracell bunny" was invented for people like Vinzenz Rohrer. When the 20-year-old from Rankweil, 10 km from the Swiss border, dashes across the ice and dishes out checks, the arena in Zurich-Altstetten shakes. His energy is infectious, but once he has taken off his ice hockey gear, the son of a former tennis pro is calmness personified.
After less than half the stint, Rohrer has already scored more goals than in last year's qualifiers, when he made his breakthrough with the adults. With eight goals, he is the third-highest scorer in Zurich's star ensemble. The young Austrian is not euphoric about this. "Basically, I'm a bit satisfied," he says in an interview with Keystone-SDA. "It's neither incredibly positive nor incredibly negative." At least he adds, almost a little embarrassed: "Yes, I'm actually quite satisfied."
Rohrer is not only particularly pleased with his own performances. In the last few games, he formed a forward line alongside his regular center Justin Sigrist together with Alessandro Segafredo, who is the same age. "That was really cool," he recalls, beaming at Segafredo's first assist just over a week ago against Rapperswil-Jona. You have to know that: The Italian from Asiago is Rohrer's flatmate in Zurich. "And one of my best colleagues. That brings a special kind of energy."
To field hockey for social reasons
The city on the Limmat has long been the Vorarlberg native's new home. His father Stefan Lochbihler, whose best ATP ranking was 141 in the summer of 1989, played ice hockey as a hobby in a "beer league" after his career. His son followed him in both sports and was faced with the decision between tennis and field hockey at the age of 12. "I think at that age, it was mainly the team aspect that tipped the scales for me. Being in a team and traveling together and having a good time together," recalls Rohrer. "I think I'm quite a social person and that was extremely important to me at the time."
It was clear to him at that moment that he wanted to become a professional, so the only option was to move to Switzerland and join the ZSC/GCK Lions organization. Today's NHL forward Marco Rossi, practically a neighbor in Vorarlberg, was a great role model. His mother, in particular, often commuted back and forth, and to make this a little easier, the family bought a caravan in which they spent a few nights in Switzerland and where little Vincent could study for school.
In constant exchange with Montreal
He recently extended his contract with the Zurich club for another year, but there is a good chance that he will return to Canada for next season, where he played his last two junior years in Ottawa. Rohrer was drafted 75th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2022. "We're in constant contact, they've already been here in Zurich twice this season," confirms the Austrian. If he continues to play as he has so far, he is sure to be at the preparation camp next summer and fight for a place in the NHL.
However, he will never wear a Swiss jersey, even though he has "a lot to do with Switzerland" in ice hockey. Even before moving to the Lions, he played in Swiss leagues with Feldkirch. However, he never lived in Switzerland during his junior years and was therefore not entitled to a passport.
That doesn't make him sad, even if he will probably never play for a World Cup medal with Austria. "The odds are certainly not in our favor," Rohrer says with a laugh, "but who knows." After all, he also supports his first home country in football and skiing.
Champions Hockey League as a big goal
As a "proud Austrian", as he emphasizes, but one who currently inspires the people of Zurich. They should enjoy Vinzenz Rohrer's games while he is still playing in Switzerland. In addition to defending the championship title, he still has one big goal: winning the Champions Hockey League.
"That was our big ambition right from the start," Rohrer emphasizes. "That would be good for us and for the Swiss league." On Wednesday evening, the ZSC Lions can take another step in that direction in the quarter-final first leg at Eisbären Berlin.
SDA
