Nathan Garau is back in Italy.

Short US adventure: Garau now plays in Asiago

Nathan Garau made the leap across the pond this summer to pursue his ice hockey dream in the USA. Now the Bolzano native is back – and has signed his first contract in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) with relegated team Asiago.

18 October 2025

From: leo

Due to his strong performance at last year's U20 World Championship, Nathan Garau was given the opportunity to play in the US youth league NAHL. However, his time with the Elmira Aviators didn't last long. "I landed in New York on August 1st and started training right away. I really learned a lot during my time in Elmira," says the 20-year-old, who recorded one assist in six games with the Aviators. However, the South Tyrolean had to end his North American adventure prematurely for personal reasons.

Garau still had big plans. As he said in May revealed in the SportNews interview, He wanted to make it to college hockey via the NAHL. He now had to put that dream to rest. But as one door closed, another opened. Garau had barely returned to his home soil when he signed his first contract in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL).

Parco lured him to Asiago

The winger will now play for HC Asiago, with whom he won his first game on Thursday. The Stellati defeated HC Gherdëina 3-2 on penalty shootouts in Selva. Garau was selected as the first lineman. Before moving to the United States, he played for HC Aosta in the Italian Hockey League (IHL), with whom he finished runner-up last season.

Nathan Garau begins a new adventure.

"I knew coach John Parco, who coached me with the U20 national team over the past few seasons," Garau says. "I always got along very well with him, which is why I contacted him. I wanted to play in the AlpsHL, and that's how the deal ultimately came about." He now wants to prove with the Stellati that he can also play an important role in the AlpsHL.