Franco Sproviero (right) answers questions from SportNews. © Daniele Frusone

From teacher to star striker: Wipptal's new hope

The new season in the Alps Hockey League may be just a few weeks away, but Franco Sproviero has already left a deep mark on the Wipptal Broncos' game like no other: He's the offensive lynchpin, but also a true leader. He almost gave up on his ice hockey dream two years ago.

09 October 2025

Flashback: In February 2023, Franco Sproviero signed his first professional contract – after four successful years at the University of Western Ontario. His adventure in the third-tier East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) lasted only eight games. And there's an unusual reason for that: "While I was playing in Kalamazoo, I received an email saying I'd been accepted to my university's faculty of education for the following fall," Sproviero explains. So, he wanted to become a teacher – and "sacrificed" his hockey career, which had begun so promisingly.

Because he had previously signed a professional contract, the now 27-year-old Canadian had to sit out a year before being allowed to return to the college team. To ensure Sproviero stayed in shape and maintained his high level of play should he eventually return to hockey, he played for the Alvinston Killer Bees in the semi-professional OSHL in 2023-24. At the same time, the 27-year-old also worked as a substitute teacher. "Ultimately, I missed hockey too much, which prompted me to return to the college league last year." It was the beginning of a second career for the center forward.

Special relationship with Szypula

Due to his Italian roots (his grandparents, Antonio and Luisa, are from Calabria, emigrated to Canada at the age of 18 and settled in Sarnia), he had already flirted with the idea of ​​a position in the boot-shaped country. However, the completion of his education delayed this plan, Sproviero emphasizes.

Franco Sproviero is the leader of the Wipptal Broncos. © Daniele Frusone

In his youth, he shared a locker room with numerous well-known players in South Tyrol: from Anthony Salinitri to Austin Osmanski and Justin Fazio to Ethan Szypula. He maintains a special relationship with last year's AlpsHL Most Valuable Player, as they played side by side for four years at university. "I talked most with Ethan about playing ice hockey in Italy. He gave me great insight, for which I am very grateful," explains Sproviero, who has yet to face Szypula with the Wipptal Broncos. The forward, now playing for Zell am See, was injured in the first match of the season between the Wildpferde and the Eisbären.

Although Sproviero quickly eclipsed last year's star striker Adam Capannelli with his game intelligence, vision, and finishing ability, the adjustment to the European lifestyle wasn't easy. Connor Sanvido, Bryson Cianfrone, and James Livingston, however, provided him with tremendous support. "Because they're also from Canada, it was easy to ask them questions and ask for help. Having my girlfriend Allie here with me also made the adjustment much easier," says Sproviero.

How far does it go?

With five goals and four assists, he's played a major role in the highly-rated Broncos currently occupying second place in the AlpsHL. "I don't usually look too far ahead when it comes to my goals, but for this season, I hope we win both the Italian championship and the AlpsHL. I will do everything in my power to help us achieve that goal," the aspiring teacher says ambitiously.

Franco Sproviero aims high. © Daniel Frusone

Speaking of teaching: With the same passion that he puts on the ice for the Broncos, Sproviero is also committed to supporting young talent. For eight years now, he has been organizing events with his own company Spro Skills Camps for young stars. "I really enjoy developing the next generation of hockey players in Sarnia. Seeing my players develop over the years and building a strong bond with the kids motivates me to continue doing this for a long time," he concludes. It's precisely this approachability that makes Sproviero – beyond his skills on the ice – a truly likeable figure and fan favorite at the Broncos.