Alongside the Stanley Cup, another of Vanek’s main objectives is to represent Austria in the Winter Olympics. Vanek is targeting the 2010 Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Games, hopefully in Salzburg. “I am supporting the Salzburg bid and would be very proud if Salzburg were to be awarded the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. I follow the Austrian media very closely on the Internet, and I find the Salzburg concept superb. I believe in the bid and think it must stand a very good chance. Salzburg is unique, and also has so much to offer outside of sport, so I wish it all the best in Guatemala,” said Vanek, who grew up in Salzburg. “I have spoken to many NHL players. They are delighted by Salzburg and Austria.”

Vanek also finds the proposed building of the new ice hockey arena in Puch/Urstein a very positive step. “Investment in the infrastructure is very important for ice hockey in Austria. New ice halls provide many better opportunities for the league and for the juniors. Austria is world class, and must remain so.” This is the belief of the Austrian forward who, should the Sabres progress to the Stanley Cup semi-final, would only be able to follow the Ice Hockey World Championships in Moscow on television. “Of course it would be great to play in the World Championships, but the Stanley Cup simply takes priority over everything.”

Rudi Hoeller, Executive Director of Salzburg 2014: “At 23, Thomas Vanek is already one of the best ice hockey players in the world. It just goes to show that ice hockey’s development in Austria is heading in the right direction. We are very happy that he is supporting Salzburg 2014. Staging the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg would further strengthen the ice hockey boom in Austria. I wish him all the best and hope that he fulfils his dream of winning the Stanley Cup.”