Simon Berger retires. © HC Pustertal/I. Foppa

Sudden end of career: Berger surprises everyone

On Sunday, HC Pustertal announced that Simon Berger will no longer be playing for the Wolves in the future, as part of two contract extensions. The Pustertal native has decided to hang up his skates.

June 23, 2024

From: pm/leo

As the club announced on Sunday, Berger will not receive a new contract with the Wolves. The 24-year-old striker has made a total of 323 appearances for the Wolves in the Alps Hockey League, Serie A and ICE Hockey League after returning from the junior team in Bad Tölz. "The likeable Pusterer will - relatively surprisingly - end his ice hockey career and concentrate on completing his studies and starting his professional life," it says in a press release. Berger was recently linked with the Wipptal Broncos.

Leonhard Ludwig Hasler and Matthias Mantinger, on the other hand, continue to storm in the black and yellow jersey. Both players have signed a two-year contract. Mantinger crowned his strong 2/2023 season with a call-up to the World Championship in Bolzano. "In addition to the consistently good performances, the 'goal of the century' against Laibach will remain unforgettable," writes the HCP. This was voted goal of the year in the ICE by the fans.

Matthias Mantinger remains with the HCP. © HC Pustertal/I. Foppa

The left-footed shooter started playing ice hockey with the Kalterer Hechten. From the age of 15 to 25, his sporting home was that of the Wipptal Broncos. "I like the path that the HCP is taking and I am convinced that we can go far with this team. I will do everything I can to surpass last season and am very happy to be able to continue to be a part of this team and the HCP," emphasizes Mantinger.

Hasler continues to storm for the HCP

Lenny Hasler also has a wolf in his heart. The 21-year-old striker earned his first spurs in the Alps Hockey League after training at HCP Junior. After a good year of training in the Wolves' ICE debut season, an injury-ridden 2022/23 season followed with few appearances on Ritten and in the USA. Now the tall right-handed shooter has fought his way back into the ICE squad with strong performances at the Broncos. "Hasler should and can make the jump into the HCP regular lineup this year, then the Brunecker should also ring in the opponent's goal for the first time," writes the HCP.