Kevin Fink (front) in an interview with SportNews. © Manfred Sinn / SV Kaltern

Kaltern too good for this league? “Not that, but…”

With a perfect record and an incredible goal difference of +19, SV Kaltern once again sits atop the Italian Hockey League (IHL) standings. Given the reigning champions' dominance, the question arises: Are the "Pikes" simply too strong for this league?

07 October 2026

Having started the season as overwhelming title favorites, the Überetsch team has more than lived up to expectations so far. Whether underdogs Pustertal or fellow favorites Varese and Eppan – they have all had to acknowledge the defending champions' overwhelming superiority. After four games, the team led by captain Michael Sölva has already scored 23 goals (!) and conceded only four.

This dominance is all the more impressive considering that Kaltern is the only team in the IHL playing with only two foreign players instead of three – and also suffered some painful departures in the summer. However, the new additions to the Pike roster made a huge impact in the first few games – from Raphael Andergassen, who leads the IHL scoring race with eleven points, to Kevin Fink.

Fink brings a wealth of experience

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career with his hometown club, the Rittner Buam, but moved to Kaltern in the summer after more than 350 games, four Italian championships, and an AlpsHL triumph. "I couldn't reach an agreement with Ritten," the 27-year-old emphasizes. "After an injury at the end of the season, I wanted to continue playing. My brother Lois, who used to play in Kaltern, put me in touch with the club. I already knew the sporting director, Armin Ambach, which was certainly an advantage."

Kevin Fink is in top form. © Manfred Sinn / SV Kaltern

Fink encountered an old acquaintance at the Hechte (Pike) club: MacGregor Sharp. Kaltern's new coach, who replaced Teemu Virtala at the helm, had played with Fink for two seasons with the Buam (U16 team). Furthermore, the Canadian had also been active as an assistant coach on the high plateau for three years – a factor that encouraged Fink to get involved with the Hechte.

"Kaltern consistently manages to integrate young talents into the first team." Kevin Fink

As mentioned earlier, his team has made a perfect start to the season. The provocative question of whether Kaltern is too good for the IHL elicits a laugh from Fink. He says, "No, I don't think so, but it's true that we have quality in the squad. Kaltern consistently manages to integrate young talents into the first team. With Andergassen, these young players now also have a leader they can look up to. Players like that make a league more attractive," Fink says, praising the former Pustertal star.

Fink scores goals repeatedly

The striker is aware of the danger of resting on his laurels after such a brilliant start. "You can never sit back – that's what we've set out to do. It's about constantly setting new goals and never being satisfied," says Fink, who already has seven points (four goals, three assists) after the first four games, outlining the team's strategy.

SV Kaltern, led by Kevin Fink (right), is unstoppable. © Manfred Sinn / SV Kaltern

For him personally, points are just irrelevant numbers. What's important to him is that he plays hockey with great joy and confidence. "That ease is crucial," Fink emphasizes. He and his teammates want to extend their winning streak on Saturday away in Pergine (6:45 p.m.) before the Hechte take a two-week break from competition.

Italian Hockey League:

Saturday, October 10st:
Fassa Falcons – HC Eppan (18.30 p.m.)
Pergine – SV Kaltern (18.45 p.m.)
Alleghe – Feltre (20.30 p.m.)
Valpellice – Valdifiemme
HC Pustertal Junior – Varese