A big one stops: Lutz says goodbye

The 36-year-old from Meran was at Ritten for a total of six years and was one of the most dangerous defenders in the AlpsHL. He played a total of 293 games for Buam and scored 70 times. Last season he delivered a whopping 50 points scorer (46 goals) in 14 games. Lutz, who is 1,81 meters tall and weighs 84 kilograms, is downsizing for work reasons and is ending his long ice hockey career, in which he worked for a number of Italian clubs and celebrated many titles. For the Rittner Buam, his cup haul includes two Italian championships and three Supercups.

“The departure of Andreas is of course very painful, we will miss him very much,” says sports director Adolf Insam. “But it can be accepted, I can understand him well. We can only thank him for everything he has done for our club. On behalf of the Rittner Buam, I wish him all the best for his future.” Kostner, Frei and Marzolini remain Simon Kostner is a big name in the local ice hockey scene. So it's no wonder that he has been wearing the captain's "C" on his chest at Rittner Buam since Dan Tudin's retirement two years ago. During his career, the 31-year-old has already played in Switzerland, Germany and Finland, and he is also an integral part of the Italian national team. The 1,73 meter tall and 77 kilogram center played 409 games for the Rittner Buam in which he scored 134 goals. Last season he contributed 38 points (42 goals) in 14 games. “In addition to his sporting contribution, Kostner is a leader on and off the ice,” says the Buam press release. In the blue and red Buam jersey, he has so far celebrated winning the AlpsHL, four Italian championships, three Super Cups and an Italian Cup.

Alex Frei has also long since made a name for himself in this country. The Kalterer is something of a goal guarantee, which is also shown by his yield on the Ritten. The 29-year-old scored 316 times in 145 games for the Rittner Buam. On the high plateau, Frei is something like the “prodigal son”. He celebrated his premiere in the 2012/13 season, but left the club a year later. He returned in 2015/16 and in the following five years he celebrated winning the AlpsHL, four Italian championships and three Supercups. In 2020/21 he went to Asiago for a year, but then returned to the Buam for the second time. The 1,87 meter tall and 93 kilogram winger was very unlucky with injuries last season, as a herniated disc forced him to end the season after 25 games in which he made an important contribution with 28 points (12 goals) and even closed in the spring an operation. The Überetscher is now back and is already working on dry training with his teammates for the start of the season.

Unlike Kostner and Frei, Marco Marzolini is at home in the Rittner defense. The 25-year-old defender comes from the Fassa Valley, but has been playing in Ritten since the 2019/20 season. The high plateau has now become his second home, after all, he works there too. The 1,76 meter tall and 80 kilogram Italian has played 139 games for the Rittner Buam and scored six goals. He also helped win the Italian Super Cup in his first year with Buam. “With his sunny manner, Marzolini has long since become an important part of the team in the dressing room,” write the Buam. Completely full of praise “They are three of our players from away, but somehow not,” smiles sports director Adolf Insam. “I now count them as knights. Simply because they do a lot for this club and have already settled in well here. Their contribution is also important for our young players because they are someone to look up to. Simon (Kostner, editor's note) is our captain and a role model in all respects. His calm and level-headedness are admirable, as is his great career in the national team. I suffered with Alex (Frei, editor's note) last season. He was out for a long time because of his back injury and we sorely missed his goals. He is already back in full training and will hopefully be in top shape again by the start of the season. Marco (Marzolini, editor's note) is the only Italian-speaking player, but he doesn't mind. He is excellently integrated and also important with his fast, clever style of play.”

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A big one stops: Lutz says goodbye

The best local defender in the Alps Hockey League in recent seasons is ending his career: Andreas Lutz. The Rittner Buam announced this on Friday as part of further contract extensions.

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