A heavy knee injury kept him out for the whole 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Due to his recuperation program, hard training and mental strength he was able to fight himself back into the Austrian team for the 2003-04 season.
A serious knee injury forced him to miss the entirety of the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Through a comprehensive recovery plan, intense physical conditioning, and mental fortitude, he was able to rejoin the Austrian squad for the 2003-04 campaign.