Ignaz Berndaner managed it to play defense for the pro team of SC Rießersee at the age of 16 in 1971. He was named to the national team for the 1973 World Championships. He played in this tournament consecutively up to 1979 as well as 1982 and 1983 and the 1976 and 1984 Winter Olympics. In 1978 and 1981 he became German Champion with SC Rießersee. In 1987 he moved to EC Hedos München and finished his career in 1992. He then started a career as a coach for SC Rießersee and ERC Ingolstadt before he accepted an engagement as national coach for the women’s national team of Germany in 2000. In 2002 he took over managing several smaller teams in Bavaria.
