Austria mourns ice hockey icon Sepp Puschnig

Austria's ice hockey community is mourning the loss of Sepp Puschnig, a legendary figure celebrated as the nation's "Player of the Century." Puschnig, affectionately known as the "Karawanken Bear," passed away at his hometown of Klagenfurt at the age of 79.

Puschnig was a driving force for KAC, his lifelong club, and the record-holding "Rotjacken." He was a standout player in the 1960s and 1970s, earning the title of Austria's Player of the Century in 2012. His international recognition came in 1999 when he became the first Austrian player inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame.

Throughout his 13 seasons with KAC, Puschnig scored 190 goals and 296 assists in 299 league games, contributing to twelve championship titles. He also played in the 1969 European Cup final. His jersey number 7 was retired by KAC in 2016, a unique honor in the club's history.

Puschnig represented Austria in 123 international matches, participating in three Olympic Games and eleven World Championships. Despite attracting attention from the NHL, he chose to remain in Austria, reportedly stating his preference for Klagenfurt over New York. His legacy continues through his son Andreas, a former national team captain, and his grandson Julian, a prominent player in the Austrian league.