Massimiliano Cioffo and Manfred Steiner, as presidents of the two clubs, are looking forward to a shared future.

Eppan and Leifers are going their separate ways

HC Eppan Pirates and SSV Leifers Hockey Bears announced on Friday that they had reached an agreement on future cooperation.

August 07, 2026

From: pm/tu

HC Eppan Pirates and SSV Leifers Hockey Bears will be working more closely together in the future. The two clubs have agreed on a cooperation that will cover both their senior teams and their youth programs. The collaboration is based on the positive relationship that Eppan and Leifers have developed over the past few years. This is not intended to be just a typical farm team arrangement, but rather a long-term partnership from which both sides will benefit.

Specifically, a player exchange is planned. This will allow U24 players to play for both Eppan in the Italian Hockey League and Leifers in the IHL Division 1. The primary goal is to provide young players with additional playing experience. The two clubs also intend to collaborate more closely in their youth development programs, creating suitable athletic development opportunities for their athletes.

Eppan regularly competes for the title in the IHL playoffs. © Social Media

“The two clubs have enjoyed a friendly relationship and constructive cooperation for many years,” explained Eppan's president Manfred Steiner and sporting director Alexander Hofer in the press release. The new roof over the ice rink in Leifers also opens up new opportunities for the Bears, particularly in youth development and the long-term building of the senior team.

Symbiosis should help both.

Eppan also sees advantages: Young players could gain regular match experience through the collaboration. Close coordination between the coaching staffs aims to specifically promote and individually develop talented players.

Bears President Massimiliano Cioffo also speaks of an important step for the club. "The development and promotion of players plays a central role for us," he emphasizes. Especially at a crucial stage in the club's history, the collaboration with Eppan improves the sporting and organizational conditions for the upcoming season and beyond.

Both sides are pleased about the collaboration.

Both clubs are aiming for a long-term partnership and want to regularly exchange information about further developments and possible joint projects.