Sterzing goalie Dominik Groh is a unique figure in the local ice hockey scene. © Daniele Frusone

Sterzing's new cult figure: The goalie with the curious celebration

The Alps Hockey League is entering its hot phase. And so on Thursday evening in the Qualification Round there will be a groundbreaking duel between the Wipptal Broncos and the HC Meran. The Sterzingers' eyes are on a player who inspires the league - and not just from a sporting perspective.

20. February 2025

When you look at his Instagram account, it quickly becomes clear that Broncos goalie Dominik Groh is a little different to most ice hockey players. His profile picture shows the goalkeeper flying across the ice with his arm outstretched - in the best Superman pose. And if you scroll down further, videos keep popping up in which the Czech shows off his strange celebrations. Sometimes he does a cartwheel on the ice, sometimes he pulls off a forward somersault, sometimes he takes a selfie with screaming fans in the background.

In short: The 26-year-old goalie of the Wipptal Broncos is putting on a big show in the Alps Hockey League. On the one hand in goal, where he has become one of the best goalies in the league in recent weeks and months. On the other hand with his extraordinary celebrations, thanks to which he has long since become a crowd favorite in Sterzing. A crowd favorite who has to grin when he SportNews responds to it.

"I come from the Czech Republic," says Groh, "and it's very common there for goalies to put on a show of celebration after a win. Most goalkeepers just clap for the fans, but I always try to do something creative. I want to give something back to the fans because we play for them. They are responsible for the atmosphere being so good."

A special celebration is planned

His unusual celebrations sometimes come spontaneously, but most of the time they are planned well in advance. And so Groh already has an action in mind that he definitely wants to realize: "I want to get some children on the ice and dance with them to Italian or German songs," laughs the goalie, who praises the Sterzing fans: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your great support. It is so important to us!"

Groh celebrates with the Sterzing fans.

Of course, there is only celebration after victories. And the Broncos have had a few of those recently, which is also thanks to Dominik Groh. With a save rate of 92,3 percent, he is one of the three best goalies in the league. It is a coincidence that he even ended up in the Wipptal this year. Because Sterzing's regular number 1 Jakob Rabanser tore his Achilles tendon in the summer, the club management had to act and lured Groh to South Tyrol.

“I get approached on the street or while shopping in Sterzing.” Dominik Groh

This is a completely new adventure for the Czech, as he has only played in his home country up to now and has stood between the goal posts for Znojmo in the EBEL (now ICE Hockey League), among others. Nevertheless, Groh and his family (his fiancée Tereza and daughter Sofie also came to the Wipptal with him) feel very much at home in Sterzing.

A small entrepreneur on the side

"It's impressive how much this city supports us. Even when I'm shopping or on the street, people talk to me. I like talking and laughing with people," says the goalie, who runs a small business with his fiancée. "Tereza is a trained teacher, so she offers online lessons for children. I take care of everything else that comes up."

A happy family: Dominik Groh with his fiancée Tereza and daughter Sofie.

But now the focus is on the hot phase of the championship. Where will the journey of the Broncos, who are currently playing in the qualification round and still fighting for a playoff ticket, lead? "I have high expectations of myself and the people around me. I want to be successful," said Groh. It sounds as if there will be more strange celebrations in Sterzing.

Alps Hockey League, the South Tyrolean games from the weekend

Master round

Thursday, 20 p.m.
Rittner Buam – Cortina Hafro

Saturday, 19.30 p.m
Kitzbühel – Rittner Buam

Qualification Round A

Thursday, 20 p.m.
Wipptal Broncos – HC Meran

Saturday
Red Bull Hockey Juniors – Wipptal Broncos (19.15:XNUMX p.m.)
HC Meran – HC Gherdeina (19.30:XNUMX pm)

Qualification Round B

Thursday, 20 p.m.
Unterland Cavaliers – Bregenzerwald

Saturday, 18 p.m
Celje – Unterland Cavaliers