Gerry Fleming arrives

A psychologist for the Vienna Capitals

Fleming became champion in Germany in 2021.(Bild: Vienna Capitals/City-Press )

The Vienna Capitals have found a new head coach for the coming ice hockey season in Canadian Gerry Fleming. As a player, he was considered a man for the rough and tumble, but has university degrees in sociology and psychology. And he has one "masterful" thing in common with the Caps.

The Vienna Capitals have found a new head coach for the coming ice hockey season in Gerry Fleming. The Kagrans have one thing in common with the Canadian: both were champions with Serge Aubin! The Caps in 2016/17 in the ICE Hockey League and Fleming as Aubin's assistant coach in the German Ice Hockey League in the 2020/21 season.

"Gerry's profile made him an interesting candidate from the start, and he carries the same values as our organization," explains Christian Dolezal, Sporting Director of the Caps. "Gerry attaches great importance to communication and an intact team structure."

Gerry Fleming is 56 years old and comes from Montreal, Canada.(Bild: Vienna Capitals/Fleming)

The former attacker is virtually predestined for this role, as he has university degrees in sociology and psychology: "The foundation of every good team is trust. To be able to trust each other, you have to communicate well, that's of the utmost importance."

And he also asked his former "boss" Serge Aubin about his future workplace: "When we were in Berlin together, he only had good things to say about the organization, the city and the fans."

As a player, Fleming was the man for the rough stuff, conceding 42 penalty minutes in eleven NHL games without a scoring point. Now he is looking forward to his new role: "Vienna is a great city! I want to get going!"

Behind the scenes, preparations for the season have of course long since begun, with the squad being put together. "We will now continue to fine-tune the squad for the coming season - in coordination with the entire coaching team," Dolezal also addresses Fabian Scholz and Bernhard Starkbaum, who will remain part of the Capitals' coaching staff as assistant coach and goalie coach respectively.