It’s been in the air for quite some time, but finally, we’ve received the club’s official confirmation that KHL Medvescak Zagreb agreed terms with Marty Raymond. Nearing Legend status at Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), 46-years-old Drummondville, Quebec-native Raymond opted for a spell in Europe. Don MacLean and Ivo Ratej Jr. will his assistant coaches. "After a long 10 years with the Bakersfield Condors, old and new, of course it was hard to decide to leave the team, but the desire to take on an opportunity to coach a new team, face new challenges and new surroundings was stronger. It's not easy to leave and travel to the other side of the world, but as a coach I want to achieve new and bigger things, and working as coach of KHL Medvescak seems to fit that description," commented the new coach of KHL Medvescak Zagreb: "We wanted a coach who didn't necessarily have ties to Europe, but a new and fresh outlook. Raymond looked like a name with results and quality work behind it, so after long talks and negotiations, accompanied by excellent recommendations from players and coaches, we decided to sign a one-year contract with Raymond as our new head coach," said the president of KHL Medvescak Damir Gojanovic.

Charges of Anti-Semitism unfounded
A Possible hiring of Marty Raymond as the head coach brought along media articles about Raymond's alleged charges of anti-Semitic statements for past few weeks. The spokesman for KHL Medvescak, Ranko Vucinic, explained: "We're aware of the alleged statements, which are currently a matter discussed at a US court. Over the past few days, we consulted our new coach, agents and sought legal advice. We've concluded that the charges were unfounded, but we cannot comment on unresolved court disputes. However, we need to press the point that the coach was suspended only for a few days and that the player who charged them of being an anti-Semite left the club since. Furthermore, KHL Medvescak's team and management have in numerous occasions proved that they do not put up with any intolerance or discrimination, especially nationalist and anti-Semitic hate, and we assure you that, if the charges proved true, a person like that wouldn't end up in KHL Medvescak! We're happy Coach Raymond chose Zagreb and we welcome him and "his" team to Zagreb's ice!"

Jesenice Try-out Antti Pusa
HK Acroni Jesenice turned to coach Heikki Mälkiä’s homecountry for a trialist on the right wing. Antti Pusa, a 22-years-old skilled right winger, arrives from French First Division Team Villard-de-Lans. A product of TPS Turku’s youth system, the pacy forward went through the ranks in Finalnd, but turned to France when right after performing point-per-game-displays in the relegation round with HeKi in 2009/10. His second division experinece in Montpellier ended when he was picked up by first Division team Villard-de-Lans, with whom he reached the French Play-offs and went three-for-six for points when the chips were down. He’ll have to put in at least the same level of performance to impress Heikki Mälkiä to hand him a contract.

News from the Holders
In Salzburg, another 22 years old player will try to impress. Giffen Nyren, member of the Calgary Hitmen team that won the WHL in 2010 has arrived from his last team, the Utah Grizzlies. Nyren, equally useful at the back or as a center, has also 15 games in the AHL to his name with the Abbotsford Heat and hails from Calgary where he also took his first hockey steps with the Midgets.
His try-out-contract with the Red Bulls ends on September 3^rd, the day in which Headcoach Pierre Page’s men have completed their pre-season and a decision on Nyren’s future will be made.
The Holder’s preseason is once again full of quality opposition, with KHL-team Avangard Omsk up first, followed by the European Trophy. The necessary information is available below.

Pre-Season EC Red Bull Salzburg
04. August 2011: Avangard Omsk – EC Red Bull Salzburg (Füssen, 19:00)
European Trophy
11. August 2011: Färjestads BK/SWE - EC Red Bull Salzburg (19:00)
13. August 2011: Frölunda Indians/SWE - EC Red Bull Salzburg (16:00)
14. August 2011: Djurgardens IF/SWE - EC Red Bull Salzburg (16:00)
19. August 2011: Eisbären Berlin/GER - EC Red Bull Salzburg (19:30)
21. August 2011: EC Red Bull Salzburg - HC Kometa Brno/CZE (19:15)
25. August 2011: EC Red Bull Salzburg - Tappara/FIN (19:15)
27. August 2011: EC Red Bull Salzburg - TPS Turku/FIN (19:15)
01. September 2011: EC Red Bull Salzburg - HC Ceske Budejovice/CZE (19:15)