“There is no joking during the game”

Remolato grew up in St. Jakob near Bolzano and was introduced to ice hockey at a very early age. He first stepped onto the ice at the age of three. That was at the Eiswelle, now called the Sparkasse Arena. The winger spent the early years of his career at HC Bolzano, where Walter Accarino and Toni Tislar were his first coaches. He would like to return there someday. "It's my big dream to be able to put on the HCB jersey again and chase goals in the ICE Hockey League," says the promising youngster. His brother Mattia, who is a year older than him, also learned to play ice hockey at HC Bolzano. He was a goalie and had to retire five years ago due to back pain, putting his shin guards and gloves in the corner. When Nicoló Remolato was ten, he transferred from Bolzano to Egna along with Alex Egger, Davide Girardi, and Alessio Guerra. "For years, the Bassa Atesina has had the best youth team in Italy. I owe a lot to the junior teams," the attacker enthuses. The talent of the lively attacker was quickly recognized in the Lower Austrian region. He impressed not only with his goals and scoring points, but also with his speed, vision, and technical finesse. Under Miha Zbontar and later Tuomo Harjula and Dietmar Werner, Remolato matured into a pillar of the respective youth teams. He initially played a key role in the U12 national championship. He then won the U17 and U19 national championships twice with the junior teams. Won five championship titles with the junior teams "We won almost everything as a youth team. The club played a big part in that, providing the best possible conditions every year and always supporting and encouraging us players. We were truly a great team. I'll never forget the great successes and five championship titles," Remolato says, reflecting almost wistfully on his youth in the south of South Tyrol. He's returning there today – for the first time as an opponent. "I can hardly wait to walk into the Würth Arena again. I'm looking forward to seeing my former teammates again and joking with them. There won't be any joking during the game. There's too much at stake for both teams: After all, it's not just about important points for the AlpsHL, but also for the IHL Serie A," says Cortina's number 13, adding: "It will be a special moment. I can't quite describe my feelings. After all, HC Unterland was like a second family to me." Speaking of family: The whole family will be sitting in the stands today, keeping their fingers crossed for the "returnee." "Starting with my parents and my brother, all the way to my grandparents. I owe them the most, as they have always supported and helped me. They were already there for the season opener in Merano. That makes me proud. A few friends have also announced that they will be attending the game in Neumarkt," said the Italian youth international player happily. Remolato has already participated in two U18 and two U20 World Cups with Italy. Now he dreams of making his debut for the senior national team: "It would be incredible if I could wear the azure blue jersey one day. It's not an easy undertaking, as there are many good players. I have hope and belief, but I haven't given up." The now 20-year-old has not only made his mark in the youth ranks, but has also impressed with the big leagues. He scored an impressive seven points in nine IHL games during the 2021/22 season. His debut in the AlpsHL followed the following winter. Over the past three seasons, the winger has recorded 43 points in 105 games in the cross-border championship. Because the Cavaliers' former board announced their withdrawal from the AlpsHL earlier this year, Remolato looked for alternatives. "Participating in the IHL would have been a step backward in my eyes. I absolutely wanted to stay in the AlpsHL. That's why the interest from Cortina came at just the right time," explains the Bolzano native. But there was another reason for the move: "I wanted to become more independent and mature; and learn to stand on my own two feet." With Jan Frenademez in an apartment He can now do that in Nebbiú di Cadore, where he shares an apartment with 18-year-old Jan Frenademez from Val Badia and has to do the cleaning and cooking himself. From there, the Olympic Stadium is about a 40-minute drive away. "Starting in December, we'll be playing our home games in Nebbiú di Cadore because the Olympic Stadium is no longer available due to the Olympic Games. Then it's only a three-minute drive from the apartment to the stadium." The season couldn't have started better for Remolato, who attends the Pegaso University of Sports Sciences online. Even before the AlpsHL began, he and his new team won the Italian Supercup thanks to a 6-2 victory over Italian Cup winners HC Feltre, in which he contributed two assists: "I was overjoyed. After all, it's my first title at the senior level. It was also satisfying after losing the Supercup final with HC Unterland in the 2022/23 season to HC Asiago, who had migrated to the ICEHL at the time, only in overtime." And in the AlpsHL, the rising talent also played a major role in the veteran's successful start, scoring two goals in his first three games. "My goals aren't so important. What matters is the team's success. I always try to give my best and am happy that I have the coach's trust combined with plenty of ice time. I feel comfortable on the second line. I still have a lot to learn and gain experience. My teammates are helping me with that," Remolato assures. He's confident in the Cortina team and wants to successfully defend the Italian championship title with them and also compete at the top of the AlpsHL. Tonight, however, his focus is on returning to his former stomping grounds.

AlpsHL Austria	SP	TV	P
1. KHL Sisak	3	15:4	8
2. Kitzbuhel	4	15:10	7
3. Zell am See	2	7:5	6
4. Salzburg II	3	13:10	5
5. Wipptal Broncos	3	9:7	5
6. HC Meran	3	6:6	5
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“There is no joking during the game”

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