After careful consideration, Sabolič returns to help his hometown club

After 16 years away, Robert Sabolič is returning to Podmežakla, the arena where his hockey career began. The 37-year-old forward and captain of Slovenia’s national team chose a return to Jesenice after considering another move abroad.

Sabolič first attracted attention at the Jesenice club, earned a place in Slovenia’s national team and later built a distinguished career with clubs in Germany, the Czech Republic and Russia. He also became one of Slovenia’s most prominent players at the 2014 and 2018 Olympic tournaments.

He has spent many years among the country’s leading internationals and has carried the captain’s role at recent world championships. He wore the captain’s C at the 2024 Division I tournament in Bolzano, then led Slovenia on the ice at the last two championships in the elite group, in Sweden last year and Switzerland this year.

Sabolič most recently captained Olimpija at club level and had considered another departure abroad. But he said the available offer was not attractive enough, while staying home with his family and helping the Jesenice club ultimately mattered more. He is due to appear in Jesenice’s preseason meeting with Sisak as the team prepares for the new Alpine League season.

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In the end, there was simply no attractive offer, while personal reasons, staying at home with my family and helping the Jesenice club prevailed.