Christof Leitner is leading one of the most exciting projects currently underway in European ice hockey.

Milan boss Leitner: "We don't pay more than Bruneck and Bolzano"

A few days ago, it was a bombshell: Milan is joining the ICE Hockey League. But how long will the concept last in the metropolis? What's the deal with the crypto investors? What are the team's sporting goals – and which players will they bring in? New club boss Christof Leitner answers these questions.

June 07, 2026

It wasn't easy to get an interview appointment with Leitner. SportNews He initially tried to contact him through his company headquarters, Intercom Dr. Leitner in Freienfeld. Polite secretaries made several attempts to establish contact, initially without success – until Christof Leitner himself eventually called back. From his mobile phone, somewhere on the motorway between Sterzing and Milan. That route he's currently driving almost on repeat. Leitner is a man in demand. The entrepreneur is leading one of the most exciting projects in European ice hockey: the revival of the Milano Hockey Club.

Mr. Leitner, how did you get into ice hockey?

"My path was laid out for me. My father worked for WSV Sterzing for a long time, my brother was an active player, and now I myself have been on the board of the Broncos for some time. In addition, I work professionally in this industry with our company, Intercom Dr. Leitner."


Did this bring you into contact with Milan?

“Exactly. We were involved in the construction of the Olympic ice rinks, and therefore had been in contact with decision-makers in Milan for years – and from the very beginning I sensed enormous interest, a true enthusiasm for this sport. After the new, temporary arena was presented in February, I was approached and asked to participate.”

"We don't want any troublemakers in the hall!" Christof Leitner

A South Tyrolean should bring ice hockey back to Milan?

“I was initially surprised myself, but I was told they wanted someone from South Tyrol, someone with experience who would get things done. Mayor Giuseppe Sala and Attilio Fontana, the president of the Lombardy region, were very convincing. The idea and a vague project already existed at that time; we then fleshed it out together. From the beginning, it was clear: the ICE Hockey League was the only option.”


The main investor is the crypto company House of Doge, which is causing skepticism.

“Many people still don’t know what to make of crypto, even though companies in this sector have long been appearing on bigger stages as investors, such as in the Champions League. The question is: do we resist the trend or try to use it as an opportunity? We opted for the latter, also because we found a professional partner in Marco Margiotta, the CEO of House of Doge. I trust him. He presented us with his concepts – including the one with which he intends to restructure the Italian football club Triestina. There are no castles in the air here.”

The strong men in Milan: Chris McSorley, Marco Margiotta and Christof Leitner (from left).

Milan's large ice hockey fan base is still reacting with some reservation. Will you be able to get everyone on board?

“We’ve met with several fan representatives over the past few days. We’re feeling a lot of support and enthusiasm from the community. I’m sure we’ll have a fantastic atmosphere in the arena. But let me be perfectly clear: we don’t want any troublemakers! Old rivalries like the one with Bolzano must not be used as an excuse for conflict, violence, and increased police presence. Ice hockey has evolved; we want to offer great sport, a show, and entertainment for everyone.”


Speaking of rivalry: The new Milano HC aims to unite all ice hockey factions in Milan. How will they achieve this?

"This way of thinking is also outdated. We are taking over the youth department from the Milano Devils, or rather, merging with them under the new name Milano Prospects. Last year, that amounted to around 300 young players. The former Saima Milan, on the other hand, is the breeding ground for ice hockey enthusiasm in this city. And this city is now united under a single label: the Milano Hockey Club."


Will you be commuting between Sterzing and Milan in the future?

“We want Milanese personalities and companies to join our project. That’s why I will be spending a lot of time in Milan over the next few months, holding talks and making contacts. We are also directly involved in the construction of the hall.”


Will the new, temporary arena be finished by the start of the season?

“I have no doubt about that. We are firmly planning to host our first home games at the beginning of October. And there certainly won't be any ice hockey in a tent, as I've read in some places. We do have a multi-layered membrane roof, but it's a fixed steel structure for 4.000 visitors – not a toy stadium. At the same time, planning is underway in the background for a state-of-the-art arena that will eventually become our permanent home.”

This is what the Milan arena is expected to look like in a few months.

What's your budget?

"Let me put it this way: We don't spend any more money in Milan than in Bolzano and Bruneck. I estimate that financially we're somewhere in the middle of the league this season, so in the mid-single-digit millions."


You mentioned Bolzano and Bruneck. Fans there fear the newly promoted team could shift the balance of power in the transfer market. Is that the case?

“No! Of course, we’re a new player on the market, and that has its appeal. But quite honestly, we already have our squad together; we’ve signed around 25 players without getting in each other’s way with Bolzano or Pustertal. That was also the case with Nick Saracino, our first new signing. I made a kind of gentleman’s agreement with Dieter Knoll in Bolzano and Erich Falkensteiner in Bruneck. We said we wouldn’t play each other off. And I’m a man of my word.”

"We are not a flash in the pan" Christof Leitner

How was the squad assembled?

“Here we relied on the standing and know-how of Chris McSorley from the Swiss second division club HC Sierre. The contact came about through our mutual investor. I am convinced that he has built a strong team. McSorley will remain with us as an advisor, and the role of sporting director will then be taken over by Viktor Szelig, who previously worked at Fehervar.”


What are the immediate goals?

“We will welcome our players at the beginning of August, and until then we want to grow step by step every day. From the construction of the arena to the club structure. Giorgio Prando, who comes from the local ice hockey scene and heads the Milano Prospects, will take care of the marketing. With Doris Lintner, we have also been able to bring on board an experienced ice hockey manager from South Tyrol. And we will be hiring two or three more people for operational roles.”


And where should the sporting journey lead?

"We certainly want to have a significant say in things. But I must also emphasize very clearly: we are only in our first year here, so the priority now is to lay the foundation. There's no point in rushing ahead on borrowed time. Long-term success is what matters. We're not a flash in the pan that will disappear tomorrow. We have a five-year project underway and are already thinking beyond that. We're here to stay."