Where are they now': Bernd Bruckler
August 19, 2009 | Men's Hockey
When he left Wisconsin in 2005, Bernd Bruckler left as one of the most accomplished goaltenders in Wisconsin hockey history. The All-American put himself atop many of the goalie statistical categories in the Badger record books and helped carry the program into the Mike Eaves era.
He joined the program with a bang, getting named to the 2002 All-WCHA Rookie Team. A First-Team All-American in 2004, Bruckler earned first-team all-league honors and earned recognition as the 2004 NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player. He would go on to suit up for Austria at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, before returning for his senior season as an assistant captain, a rarity for a goaltender. He would garner second-team All-WCHA honors that year and finish his UW career as the program leader with a 2.48 goals-against average and ranking second with a .916 save percentage. He still ranks among the top three in both categories, and in the top five for career games played, victories, saves, minutes played and shutouts.
Can you give us an update on where you are right at this moment' Where do you call home'
I am in Nizhni Novgorod, Russia right now where I am currently playing for a team called Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod in the KHL. I signed a two-year contract which will run until the spring of 2011. After playing four seasons for the Espoo Blues in the top Finnish league (SM-Liiga), I have bought a place in Helsinki with my girlfriend and I call that home now.
What have you been doing since you left Madison '
Well, after my senior year I played for a few months in the AHL and ECHL before I took the job in Espoo and it has worked out great for me there. I really enjoyed my time and also the hockey was high quality.
For people in the U.S., the pinnacle of hockey is the NHL. Do you have aspirations to make the league'
I definitely have aspirations of playing in the NHL, but at the same time I have been happy with the career path I took, going back to Europe and playing here. This year is a big challenge for me since the KHL is considered to be the best league in Europe. I will concentrate on here for now, but in the back of my mind is certainly the goal of playing in the NHL some day.
What has been your post-college hockey highlight so far '
Last season we played in the Champions Hockey League with Espoo and it was awesome. The level of play was great and so was the atmosphere at all the games. Hockey fans around Europe really were very excited about having the top teams from different countries compete against each other. We made it to the semi-finals where we lost to the eventual winner, ZSC Lions.
I know you've been involved with Austria's national team. What is your place with the team and is Austria in the running for an Olympic spot '
I have been the starting goalie now for the past few seasons, but unfortunately we have struggled to establish our team in the A-pool. Our biggest problem is that we are not very deep as a team and if our top players cannot come to play for us, we usually are not able to hold our own against the best hockey nations. As far as the Olympics, we failed to qualify for those in a tournament last season (2-1 loss to Germany in deciding game). It was a huge disappointment to me.
Do you ever make it back to Madison' If you do, what are your must-see stops'
I do spend a few weeks of my off-season in the U.S. and try to make it to Madison at least for a few days every summer. Besides visiting some friends, I usually try to make it to Memorial Union, the lakes, State Street and, of course, the Kohl Center.
Do you keep in contact with your former teammates ' Coaches'
Yes, I am in touch with a few guys, mostly Brad Winchester, Adam Burish and Joe Pavelski. It is quite difficult with a nine-hour time change to get a hold of guys but the internet gets the job done.
What is your favorite Badger hockey memory '
It is tough to single out one moment but each game in the Kohl Center was special and when the national anthem was played, I got goose bumps every time.
Favorite Wisconsin memory in general '
I loved my time in Wisconsin, but nothing compares to the feeling of playing hockey at the Kohl Center and the pride you feel putting on that jersey. Two other special moments stand out. When I signed my letter of intent at the end of my official visit to Wisconsin and when I got my diploma at the end of my senior year. I guess everything came full circle.
