Hockey and Higher Ed: Finnish Dragon Starts at Kufstein
- 30.07.2025
- General
Aleksi Airaksinen is taking off – on the ice and in the lecture room.
For the first time, an international ice hockey player is being supported as part of the scholarship program run by the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and HC Kufstein Dragons – opening a new chapter in the relationship between sport and degree programs.
Aleksi Airaksinen brings a breath of fresh air – or rather, a cool Finnish breeze – to the Kufstein ice hockey arena. The winger from Jokerit Helsinki's youth academy is joining the HC Kufstein Dragons for the new season – and at the same time starting his degree program in Drone Engineering & AI-based Innovation at the FH Kufstein Tirol University of Applied Sciences.
Born in 2004, the Finn is the first international athlete to be accepted into the ice hockey scholarship program – a joint program between the FH Kufstein Tirol and HC Kufstein that enables young athletes to pursue a dual career.
“With the ice hockey scholarship, we are creating a unique link between academic qualifications and athletic development. Our goal is to enable ambitious young athletes to pursue a dual career – in the lecture room and on the ice,” says Prof. (FH) Dr. Thomas Madritsch, CEO Managing Director of the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences.
WITH THE ICE HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIP, WE CREATE A UNIQUE CONNECTION BETWEEN ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT.
Prof. (FH) Dr. Thomas Madritsch
CEO Managing Director of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol
“The scholarship not only provides financial support, but also a structured environment for personal, professional, and athletic development,” Madritsch explains.
DOUBLE CHALLENGE: DEGREE PROGRAM & ICE HOCKEY
The ice hockey scholarship is aimed at young competitive athletes who study at the FH Kufstein Tirol and are active players at HC Kufstein. Two of these coveted scholarships are awarded each year – preferably to players from the first men's team, but applications for the second team or the women's team are also possible.
The scope of services includes:
- Reimbursement of tuition fees by the FH Kufstein Tirol
- Accommodation arranged by the association
- Coverage of insurance costs for sports activities
- meal allowance
- Optimal medical and athletic supervision
Applicants must train regularly (3–4 sessions per week) alongside their degree program and compete on weekends during the season (October to March). The HC Kufstein Dragons will select and award the scholarships. The application includes a letter of motivation, a sports CV, a highlight video, and a short video introduction.
DRAGON FIRE MEETS NORDIC COOLNESS
Airaksinen brings not only international flair but also concentrated offensive power: last season, he scored four goals in just four playoff games. After years in the Jokerit Helsinki junior team, the move to Kufstein is a conscious choice for him, combining further development in sport with a solid academic foundation.
“I chose the Dragons because here in Kufstein I can pursue two life goals at the same time,” explains Aleksi. “An ambitious club gives me the opportunity to gain a foothold in senior sports while completing my degree program at the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences.”
His degree program in Drone Engineering & AI-based Innovation will start in fall 2025. Aleksi is expected to be part of the Kufstein University family until July 2028, both on campus and in the Kufstein Arena.