Raphael Andergassen plays his first IHL game for SV Kaltern. © I. Foppa / HC Pustertal

For Raphael Andergassen: Special promotion for the IHL start

For Raphael Andergassen, the new season in the Italian Hockey League (IHL) begins with a highlight. The Kaltern native, now playing for his hometown club, will face the junior team of his former employer, HC Pustertal Junior. To mark the occasion, the Pustertal Pike have come up with a special promotion.

September 17, 2026

For eleven years, Raphael Andergassen hunted for goals for HC Pustertal. He started as a rising talent and ended his career last spring as captain and club legend. However, the 33-year-old didn't consider retirement after leaving Bruneck and joined SV Kaltern – where it all began.

The new adventure begins for the center forward on Saturday with the home game against HC Pustertal Junior. The newly promoted team joined the league this summer after winning the IHL Division I title and aims to upset favorites like SV Kaltern in their first season in Italy's second-highest league. "I think it will be a very interesting game," emphasizes Hechte's sporting director, Armin Ambach. "They are young, highly motivated, aggressive, and cover a lot of ground. On top of that, they had a longer preseason than we did. If we aren't 100 percent ready, it's going to be a tough match."

SV Kaltern is ready to start. © Manfred Sinn / Italia Hockey

To celebrate the decade in the black and yellow jersey, SV Kaltern is offering free admission to all HC Pustertal season ticket holders on Saturday. Even an Andergassen jersey is enough to witness the striker's first official appearance in the Kaltern kit up close. "We'll turn a blind eye to that," Ambach explains with a smile. "It's an idea we had in the board. After discussions with HC Pustertal, we managed to organize it."

Kaltern is self-confident

The Pike are going into their first game of the season with confidence – despite only having played three matches. They won their friendlies against HC Gherdëina (4-3 OT) and Fiemme (9-3), and only lost 3-4 in a penalty shootout to Italian champions Asiago in the Supercup.

HC Pustertal Junior starts the season with a mammoth task. © HC Pustertal Junior

“Considering the short preparation time, we put in some good performances and are in good form. I was surprised that we kept up so well against Asiago. We were evenly matched for a long time and even the better team for short stretches,” says Ambach. That made it all the more disappointing to only lose in a penalty shootout. “We were devastated immediately after the game. But after a few days, the joy and pride took over.” No wonder, since Asiago is among the top favorites in the new AlpsHL season.

The match against HC Pustertal Junior appears on paper to be a much easier one. Nevertheless, the Pustertal team, led by Andergassen, will certainly not underestimate the game. Puck drop at the Raiffeisen Arena is at 7:30 p.m. The third South Tyrolean team in the IHL, HC Eppan, kicks off their new season earlier with a challenging away game in Varese (6:30 p.m.).

Italian Hockey League

Saturday September 19nd:
Varese – HC Eppan (18.30 p.m.)
Pergine – Fassa Falcons (18.45 p.m.)
SV Kaltern – HC Pustertal Junior (7:30 pm)
HC Aosta – Fiemme (20 p.m.)
Alleghe – Valpellice (20.30 p.m.)