It is a rare sight in world hockey to spend almost three decades with the same club. In 1989, Canadian-born forward Duanne Moeser signed with Augsburger Panther, not knowing that this would be the start of a long and storied relationship. Moeser played 15 seasons for “Die Panther”, and still holds the team’s all-time records for goals and assists. His #7 jersey hangs from the rafters.
Moeser was named Sport Manager after he retired from playing on March 26th, 2005, and in the first 6 years also took up the role of assistant coach.
“When I first came to Augsburg as a player, not thinking that I’d be there for 29 seasons, I took it one season at a time and it has become my home. I’m very excited that Augsburg took me in as a player back then and continued to believe in me through my years as a player and believe in me as Sport Manager”, said Moeser.
Transitioning to an off-ice role is not without challenges. Moeser commented, “I played until a week before my 42nd birthday, so I never look back and say ‘Hey, I wish I could’ve played longer’. I was very fortunate to be able to play that long and I enjoyed every last day of it. But the transition was tough. It is really hard going from being a player, from being in the middle of everything and having that team camaraderie. In management it is different. You don’t have that big circle of teammates around you.”
“But you just have to enjoy what you’re doing”, Moeser added. “I was just so fortunate going from playing, to staying in the organisation, and going into the management and having the trust of Mr. Sigl [Team Owner] to take the next steps in my career”.
In his role as Sport Manager, Moeser has overseen large-scale infrastructure projects such as the renovation of the team’s Curt-Frenzel-Stadion, which until 2013 was the only stadium in the DEL to not be completely enclosed.
Speaking of the arena’s renovation, and the benefits this has brought the team, Moeser added, “It had been talked about for many years previously but was never completed. The conditions for players, fans, and sponsors alike are unbelievable. It is one of the best ice surfaces in the league, and off the ice, the dressing rooms for the Panther and away teams are very good. Teams love to come to Augsburg now, when previously they had hated coming here. Also, we have a fantastic business lounge and VIP-area which are big, modern, and different to any others in Germany. It [the arena renovation] was a very big step for us, which led to a large increase in sponsorship and the club’s brand awareness has been growing not only in Augsburg but outside of the city limits”.
We’re very very excited. As a rookie in the tournament we bring a freshness to the competition.Duanne Moeser
In 2019/20, the renovated Curt-Frenzel-Stadion will welcome Europe’s best hockey teams as Augsburg will embark upon their debut Champions Hockey League campaign. Moeser expressed his joy on qualifying for the CHL, and what Augsburg will bring to the competition.
“We’re ecstatic”, said Moeser. “We’re very very excited. As a rookie in the tournament we bring a freshness to the competition. Not only the players but also the fans. We sold out every game from the middle of December to the end of the season except for two games. The fans have been crazy over the last couple of months and they’re really excited”.
Moeser added, “And for our sponsors, there’s been a lot of talk around Augsburg about the CHL. Our sponsors are very excited, as is our entire city. When FC Augsburg made the Europa League, what they set in motion here in Augsburg was unbelievable, and I think that it will be the same for us now in the Champions Hockey League”.
We’ve been making big strides over the last few years, and this last year was a big one for usDuanne Moeser
Augsburger Panther qualified for the CHL based on their third-place finish in the DEL in 2018/19, their best regular season in the club’s history. The club pushed three-time defending champions, Red Bull Munich all the way, in a staggeringly close series which saw 5 of the games decided by just a single goal, and the other two by 2-0 scores. Augsburg eventually lost in Game 7 but impressed many along the way.
“It was a huge step for us”, said Moeser about Augsburg’s 2018/19 campaign. “We made a pretty good run in the Playoffs beating Düsseldorf in the Quarter-Finals and then taking Red Bull Munich to a seventh game, and with a bounce here or there we could’ve made the Finals”.
“We’ve been making big strides over the last few years, and this last year was a big one for us. When we see where we’re standing today compared to where we were 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years ago, we’ve been making steady progress and I think right now, where we are is the culmination of a lot of hard work”.
When speaking of this hard work, Moeser was highly praiseworthy of all those who work for “Die Panther” in any capacity.
“We have a lot of employees who are proud to be working for us during our home games. Without their work, in the VIP-room, snack bars, kiosks, and everyone who works for us during the game, we wouldn't be where we are today. Over the years we’ve been moving steadily forward and it’s a combined effort of the lowest person on the totem pole to the top guy, Mr. Sigl, so it’s very important that we as a club stick together, with both feet on the ground and one vision forwards.”
When we talk about the goalies we don’t just talk about Oli [Olivier Roy], we always talk about Markus Keller and Oli Roy. It’s an unbelievable combination.Duanne Moeser
In order to keep moving forward, Augsburger Panther have invested heavily in both on- and off-ice personnel. As Moeser noted, the club has invested in a fitness coach, goalie coach, nutritionist, and sports psychologist.
Moeser added, “Off-ice we’ve done our homework over the last few years, and these little pieces all contribute to what happens on the ice, and we hope that we can continue being very competitive. However, the competition doesn’t sleep and they’re going to also be doing their homework. The DEL is very competitive and each season starts anew, and each team starts with 0 zero points. You have to get off to a good start and stay consistent.”
One attempt at staying consistent is by the retention of a number of crucial pieces from last season’s team. Star players such as the 22-goal man Matt White and the team’s top Playoff scorer, Drew LeBlanc, are both set to return for Augsburg’s debut CHL campaign.
However, perhaps most crucially, Augsburger Panther managed to retain their mightily impressive goaltending tandem featuring Olivier Roy, who finished the Playoffs with a 94.0% save percentage, and veteran German shot-stopper Markus Keller.
Moeser noted the value that having two elite goaltenders brings to the team, saying, “When we talk about the goalies we don’t just talk about Oli [Olivier Roy], we always talk about Markus Keller and Oli Roy. It’s an unbelievable combination. They are like brothers, twins even. Over my years I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goalie tandem that gets along so well and has that amount of support for one another”.
Alongside these star players, Augsburger Panther also are blessed with star young German players such as defencemen Simon Sezemsky and John Rogl. Moeser emphasised the large amount of resources that the Panther are providing for junior hockey in Augsburg, adding, “We’ve got good young players and a good young organisation. Minor hockey is big here and we have a lot of kids involved. It’s going to take time, but we’re currently heavily invested in developing young German players that will eventually make the jump to us”.
It is on these foundations that the future success of the Augsburger Panther rest. Not only will the club continue moving forwards domestically, but they will also welcome Europe’s hockey elite for the first time in their history. Red Bull Munich became the first German team to make the CHL Finals last season, but perhaps Augsburg can be the first to lift the European Trophy.
“Munich showed what’s possible. We want to get through the Group Stage and continue on to the next rounds. Who knows what’s going to happen? It all depends on the draw in Bratislava. Once that happens we’ll see what it looks like, make our plans, get on the ice, and try to do our best”, said Moeser.
Any dream teams for “Die Panther”? Moeser concluded, “We’ll take what comes. It would be nice to show our colours somewhere else, whether it’s Finland, Sweden. Hopefully we’ll get something brand new and exciting where we can show our colours. And I think our fans will appreciate it as they love travelling. It would also be great to see other fans make the road trip here.
Those fans can start to plan their trips after the CHL Group Stage Draw takes place on May 22nd. “Die Panther” will be there, will you?