Story Summary
EC-KAC have signed Latvian goaltender Mareks Mitens after Sebastian Dahm’s season came to an end. The 28-year-old joins the Klagenfurt club on a contract running until the international break, which begins in early November.
Mitens arrives following two seasons in Slovakia, where he recorded 36 victories. A left-catching netminder, he will provide an additional option alongside Florian Vorauer as the Red Jackets face a busy run of domestic and European fixtures.
General manager Oliver Pilloni said the club’s goaltending coach had closely assessed around 30 available goaltenders before EC-KAC selected Mitens, balancing sporting requirements with financial considerations.
Key Facts
- Mareks Mitens, a 28-year-old Latvian goaltender, has joined EC-KAC.
- His contract runs until the international break, which starts in early November.
- Mitens spent the previous two seasons in Slovakia and registered 36 wins.
- He is a left-catching goaltender.
- Mitens represented Latvia at the most recent IIHF World Championship.
- EC-KAC general manager Oliver Pilloni said Mitens was chosen after the club assessed around 30 available goaltenders.
- Sebastian Dahm’s season has ended.
- EC-KAC have ten competitive matches remaining before the international break, including their final Champions Hockey League group-stage game in Berlin next Wednesday.
IHM Discussion
The signing gives EC-KAC a timely extra goaltending option for the run to the international break. Pilloni’s comments make clear that the club were seeking a fit alongside Vorauer rather than presenting Mitens as a standalone solution to every workload question.
Mitens brings recent game experience from Slovakia, a record of 36 wins across the past two seasons and international exposure with Latvia. Those are useful credentials for a short-term arrangement, particularly with ten competitive fixtures still scheduled before early November. The agreement’s duration also establishes a defined initial window in which both club and player can assess the fit.
Why It Matters
Goaltending depth has become an immediate issue for EC-KAC following the end of Dahm’s season. Mitens gives the club another available senior netminder during a concentrated sequence that includes the final Champions Hockey League group-stage fixture as well as domestic competition.
The move also keeps the response measured. EC-KAC have added a goaltender with recent European league experience on a deal tied to the next international break, rather than announcing a longer-term commitment.
Mini Q&A
How long has Mareks Mitens signed for at EC-KAC?
His contract runs until the international break, which begins in early November.
What recent record does Mitens bring to Klagenfurt?
He spent the past two seasons in Slovakia, recording 36 wins, and also played for Latvia at the most recent IIHF World Championship.
What Comes Next
Mitens’ first checkpoint with EC-KAC is the run of ten competitive matches before the international break in early November. That stretch includes the club’s final Champions Hockey League group-stage match in Berlin next Wednesday.