Angry HCB boss: “The derby must be won!”

On Epiphany there will be a duel between the Foxes and the Pusterer Wolves in the Bolzano ice hockey cauldron. HCB boss Dieter Knoll is now adding fuel to the already simmering derby atmosphere. He uses the conversation with SportNews to make a clear appeal.

05 January 2024

From:
Alexander Foppa

Dieter Knoll has fought more battles in domestic ice hockey than almost anyone else. He has been working at HC Bozen for 41 years and has been at the command bridge at the most successful and at the same time most troubled club in Italy for around three decades. He has seen a lot, experienced a lot. And yet: Games like the upcoming derby still evoke special feelings for him.

How is Dieter Knoll feeling right before his Foxes' showdown against arch-rivals HC Pustertal? "I am angry!". The 71-year-old is still struggling with the recent performances of his protégés. The HCB lost to table latecomers Vorarlberg on Wednesday, it was their third defeat in a row. “We played sloppy and made individual mistakes. “It just doesn’t work like that,” rumbles Knoll.

“The derbies are the four most important games of the season.” HCB sports director Dieter Knoll

So it's just as well that his Foxes are on Epiphany (SportNewsticks live from 19.45:XNUMX p.m) not only have the chance to make amends, but can also underline their status as South Tyrol's ice hockey number 1. “It's not just about South Tyrol, but about supremacy in Italian ice hockey. This game has to be won!” said the Bolzano club boss. He adds: “The derbies are the four most important games of the season. The table is completely irrelevant, it’s about more than that.”

In a conversation with the impulsive but usual open HCB organizer, it immediately becomes clear: Knoll has a lot of personal input into this derby. After all, it was he who kept the door open to the ICE Hockey League for HC Pustertal and ultimately gave a decisive thumbs up as league vice president when they joined in spring 2022. “We want to be better than Bruneck,” said Knoll dryly.

Bolzano is looking for reinforcements

Despite all the emotions, the sports director also tries to keep a clear perspective. After all, it is important to soberly explore the transfer market while the game is ongoing. Knoll is looking for a striker because “Tyler Sikura will probably not return. That's why we would like to sign a new center for the first line." Sikura is currently in Canada for family reasons, but a replacement is not yet in sight. On the one hand, because, according to Knoll, the transfer market is currently “empty”. On the other hand, because there are bureaucratic hurdles. The visas allocated to the ice hockey association by the National Olympic Committee (CONI) have currently been used up.

Tyler Sikura probably won't wear red and white anymore. © Vanna Antonello

The problem doesn't just affect HC Bozen. However, it is particularly acute here, as Galvanistrasse is still desperately looking for reinforcements before the crucial phase of the season begins. And not just in the center position. The club also seems to be keeping its eyes open when it comes to goalkeepers, as regular number one Niklas Svedberg has not been able to fully impress so far. Sam Harvey, who is currently without a contract, can imagine returning, but he would also have to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles first.

Until Saturday evening, any transfer activity at HC Bozen is completely irrelevant anyway, because “there is simply too much at stake against Bruneck. “I don’t want my players to give it their all for 20 or 40 minutes, but rather show will, commitment and passion throughout the entire game – just like they should at HC Bozen,” concluded Knoll.