Story Summary
Innsbruck are planning a coaching and roster reset following the end of Ryan Kinasewich’s spell as head coach. Ville Kolppanen, the club’s U20 coach and senior-team goaltending coordinator, is reportedly the leading internal candidate to take over behind the bench.
The 34-year-old Kolppanen is understood to be general manager Günther Hanschitz’s preferred option, although no appointment has been confirmed. Florian Stern has also been mentioned as a possible assistant coach.
Innsbruck are simultaneously looking to add a forward by filling their tenth import-player place. The search comes as the club attempt to halt a slide in the ICE Hockey League and address an attack that recently failed to convert 16 minutes of power-play time against Pustertal, including 83 seconds with a two-man advantage.
Key Facts
- Ryan Kinasewich has left his role as Innsbruck head coach.
- Ville Kolppanen is reportedly the favoured candidate to succeed Kinasewich.
- Kolppanen currently coaches Innsbruck’s U20 side and serves as goaltending coordinator for the senior team.
- Florian Stern is reportedly under consideration as a possible assistant coach.
- Innsbruck intend to use their tenth import-player place on a forward.
- Innsbruck went scoreless across 16 minutes of power-play time against Pustertal, including 83 seconds at a two-man advantage, and conceded an equaliser while on the power play.
- Innsbruck are scheduled to play an away double in Klagenfurt and Ljubljana next week.
IHM Discussion
The immediate issue for Hanschitz is not simply choosing a successor, but deciding whether an internal appointment can provide the stability Innsbruck have lacked. Kolppanen would arrive with existing knowledge of the club, its younger players and the senior setup through his goaltending work, rather than needing to learn the organisation from outside.
The coaching decision remains open, and the reported account of the recent decline should be treated carefully. Innsbruck’s frequent line changes were said to have undermined consistency, while the report also claimed that Kinasewich had lost the confidence of players after three crisis meetings. Whatever the final coaching choice, the club have also made clear that responsibility extends beyond the bench: several key players have reportedly been below their best.
The proposed forward addition is therefore a parallel move, not a substitute for the coaching decision. Hanschitz has indicated that suitable options are available, but that value for money will matter in selecting an import.
Why It Matters
Innsbruck are addressing two areas at once: the voice behind the bench and a vacancy in the forward group. An internal coaching solution would create continuity in personnel at a moment when the team are trying to arrest their ICEHL slide, while the available import place offers a direct route to adding attacking depth.
The power-play sequence against Pustertal illustrates why the issue is larger than adding one scorer. Sixteen scoreless minutes with the extra skater, followed by an equaliser conceded during an Innsbruck power play, points to a need for better execution in a situation where the club already had a numerical advantage.
IHM Tactical Outlook
The recent Pustertal game provides the clearest on-ice detail in Innsbruck’s reset. A power play with 83 seconds of five-on-three time should create sustained possession and high-quality opportunities, yet Innsbruck did not score during their 16 total minutes with an extra skater.
The shorthanded equaliser also matters because it shows that the power play must manage the puck as well as generate offence. Whether the next coach is Kolppanen or someone else, the club need cleaner puck security and more reliable structure when they have the advantage.
Mini Q&A
Who is favoured to become Innsbruck’s next head coach?
Ville Kolppanen is reportedly the leading candidate, but Innsbruck have not confirmed an appointment.
What is Kolppanen’s current role at Innsbruck?
He is the club’s U20 coach and goaltending coordinator for the senior team.
Are Innsbruck planning a player signing?
Yes. The club intend to fill their tenth import-player place with a forward, subject to finding the right value.
Coach Mark Comment
The 83 seconds at five-on-three against Pustertal is the detail that makes this reset feel urgent. That is a long stretch to settle a puck, draw the penalty killers apart and make one composed play; coming away empty, then allowing an equaliser while still on the power play, leaves a team looking at more than finishing.
A new forward may help, but the incoming coach’s first challenge is likely to be restoring simple order when Innsbruck have the extra man. Players need to know where the next pass is meant to go and who protects the play if it breaks down. Those moments can quickly shape how a struggling side carries itself into the next game.
What Comes Next
Innsbruck are due to begin an away double next week with games in Klagenfurt and Ljubljana. The club have not yet confirmed either a new head coach or the planned forward signing.
IHM Final View
Innsbruck have identified the shape of their response to a difficult period without confirming its final personnel. Kolppanen is reportedly the preferred internal coaching candidate, an import forward is being sought, and the coming away fixtures leave little time for the club to turn those plans into action.