HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana announced that Defender Damjan Dervaric’s contract has been extended for the upcoming season. 29-years-old Dervaric, an eight-time Slovenian Champion, recorded 36 games last year following a nasty concussion sustained in the early phase of the season, and scored seven points. Young Nejc Berlisk has agreed to a try-out contract with the Dragons. He was the Defenceman scoring the most points in 2008/09 in the Slovenian Championship (43 including Play-offs). Last season, the Jesenice-born, 22-years old Berlisk had ten points (two goals) for Ljubljana. He will have to prove his worth until the end of the pre-season.

Ice-Time starts for Jesenice
Today, Tuesday, night at 20:15, HK Acroni Jesenice’s local player will take the ice for the first time. Not at the Dvorana Podmezakla, incidently, but at Bled, where four training sessions are scheduled. Heikki Mälkiä has all the local lads at his disposal, while the Imports will only arrive at the beginning of August. The first import to arrive in Jesenice is Michal Fikrt, who has received great news for the upcoming season: Klemen Mohoric will take up duties as goalkeeping coach for the Czech netminder and his backup, Gasper Kroselj. From August 1^st, the Dvorana Podmezakla is available for training.

Reinhard Divis confirmed at Vienna

EV Vienna Capitals confirmed the signing of Austria’s first NHL-player (debuting in relief of Fred Brathwaite of the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 4^th, 2002 against the Colorado Avalanche), Reinhard Divis. Veteran Netminder Divis has 28 NHL-games, nine Austrian Championships and one Swedish Eliteserien-title to his name. Divis has set his sights on nothing less but his tenth title with his new team, the Caps: „I Know Tommy Samuelsson well. He’s an absolute expert. Our Roster is full of quality players and the fans are very exciting and produce great atmosphere. There’s also the new arena and a very professional surrounding. The Caps have always been up with the best in the past seasons. I hope to be the part of the puzzle that helps us completing our goal, to end up Champions of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. I have come to Vienna to win.” Divis laughs of concerns regarding his fitness after his shoulder injury in the Finals last season: “I’m feeling good and I don’t see why I shouldn’t play on August 11^th.” The Caps will face Finnish Club Oulun Kärpät on this day.