Jon Blum will leave Bruneck and the Intercable Arena. © det

HC Pustertal: Two defensive stars have to leave

News from the ICE runner-up from Bruneck: The Wolves are parting ways with their most experienced defenders, but are signing two players to new contracts.

22 May 2026

From: fop

Jonathon Blum and Adam Almquist Both players are now history at HC Pustertal. The 37-year-old American moved from the DEL to Bruneck last summer, while the two-years-younger Swede followed suit in November. Both had already played in the world's best leagues, but neither was able to fully meet the extremely high expectations at HCP.

Blum had the best plus-minus rating on the entire team last season (+23), but he wasn't the expected leader and wasn't the hoped-for playmaker on the power play. Almquist improved as the season progressed, but made too many mistakes overall. Therefore, the departure of both veterans had been rumored for weeks, and the end of their careers is becoming increasingly likely.

Zandegiacomo and DiTomaso remain

He just wants to really get going. Luciano Zandegiacomo And all this with HC Pustertal! The 22-year-old forward has extended his contract for the next three seasons. He was developed at HCP Junior, worked his way up through the farm team partners Brixen and Sterzing to the Bruneck ICE roster. He is expected to see more regular playing time there in the future.

Greg Di Tomaso will now remain with HCP after all. © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU

Besides Zandegiacomo, also Greg DiTomaso He will remain loyal to the Wolves. The 30-year-old Italian-Canadian was the statistically strongest defender in the squad with 35 scorer points, yet after the end of the season everything pointed to a departure (Vienna was said to have signaled interest), but now the about-face: The offensive defenseman will stay at least one more season in the Intercable Arena.

The current Pustertal squad:

Gate: Eddie Pasquale
Defense: Daniel Glira, Markus Lauridsen, Greg Di Tomaso, Austin Osmanski
Attack: JC Lipon, Alan Lobis, Tommy Purdeller, Alex Ierullo, Austin Rueschhoff, Henry Bowlby, Cole Bardreau, Luciano Zandegiacomo