“Give the local players more weight”

You have been managing director of HC Pustertal since last summer. How much do you like your new job?

Jochen Schenk: I really like the new task. I grew up in sports. First as an active member, then as an official. Now I have turned my hobby into a profession. It was an exciting, challenging first year. I had my first contact with ice hockey as a little boy. I was a fan of EV Bruneck. 35 years ago I wrote the report on the game between Bruneck and Alleghe in the first edition of the Sunday newspaper Zett and have been closely associated with the EVB and HCP ever since. I was Patrick Kirchler's predecessor as press spokesman and then a member of the board of directors. After President Robert Pohlin resigned in spring 1, I became honorary managing director. Since then, Patrick Bona has taken care of the sporting matters and I have taken care of the organizational and economic matters of the club.

Where have you particularly applied your leverage in the past few months?

Since I had already worked as a volunteer managing director before, it was nothing new for me. Since I've been doing it full-time, the work has been more intense. I had more time for organizing and, among other things, improved collaboration with the various partners. In addition, I now have to devote myself to areas that were previously neglected.

Jochen Schenk looks back on the HCP season.

How much did you enjoy reaching the semi-finals?

I really enjoyed reaching the semi-finals. Especially the way we played in the pre-play-off against Laibach and then in the quarter-finals against Fehervar. We have often lost such decisive games in the past. In this phase of the championship we took the whole valley with us: the fans, employees, sponsors and partners. It was a great satisfaction. In just one month everything changed in one fell swoop and the mood changed: from pessimistic to optimistic.

Exactly 4 weeks have passed since the last HCP championship game. What is your conclusion after HC Pustertal's third season in the ICEHL?

The result was tremendous and difficult to repeat, let alone top. The season was very difficult and sometimes painful. We had stupid and unfortunate phases due to our own fault and injuries. We lost several games unnecessarily. During the season I questioned everything several times. At some point no one believed in us anymore. We started the season phenomenally, had a hitch and luckily a happy ending. Despite everything, it was a season full of doubts and uncertainties. Resisting external pressure was one of the biggest challenges. The most difficult moment was in December when we lost all 6 home games. That was a disaster.

In this phase, the scapegoat was quickly identified in the form of sports director Patrick Bona. Were you able to understand the criticism of him personally?

No. Absolutely not. The criticism of the players' performance might have been justified. But the fact that it was tied to a single person was not right and unacceptable. When the performance was good, nothing was heard: criticizing is easy, but not praising. Patrick has excellent skills and excellent contacts in the ice hockey world. He is still at the beginning of his career in this role. But we reacted.

In what way?

We have formed a new team so that work in the sporting area is spread across several shoulders. Patrick Bona continues to be responsible for squad planning. With Armin Hofer, we have brought a former model professional from the HCP into the team, who will primarily look after the young local players, supported by our athletic trainer Renè Baur. Matthias Harrasser is in the group as representative of the board of directors. With Keith Sullivan, we have also had a former NHL scout on our team for three years. He is based in Canada and is a valuable advisor for us. All of this is coordinated by me. I am sure that we have enormous expertise in this group and have taken another step towards professionalization here too. Together with our farm teams Vipiteno and Brixen, we have clear goals that will lead to success in the medium term, I am convinced of that.

What could have been done better?

We have done a lot of things right, but we know that we can always do something better. After all, good things can be made even better. For example, we can improve the support and support of the local players, who were very important this winter. We have grown as a brand and have seen growth everywhere, whether in sponsors or viewers. Player development was definitely a weak point. Every training session was just building up to the next game. And the training intensity wasn't as desired either.

What was your personal highlight?

Two things immediately come to mind: Game 2 in the pre-play-off against Laibach, when Rick Schofield scored the winning goal in extra time, and the special train on January 3th and the sold-out arena in Bolzano. With the special train we sent a message across national borders and received a lot of feedback.

Matthias Mantinger impressed this year. © Leo Holzknecht / GEPA pictures / Gintare Karpaviciute

Which player surprised you and which disappointed you?

Three players surprised me: Matthias Mantinger, who had a great season, Leonhard Hasler, who was there when we needed him and did his job perfectly, and Christian Kasastul, who played much better than I expected have. With the exception of Jacob Smith, I was largely disappointed by the dual nationals who - for whatever reason - had very weak phases.

In retrospect, was it right to rely on two Italian goalkeepers?

In any case. Andreas Bernard and Jacob Smith may not have won as many games on their own as their predecessor Tomas Sholl, but they played a large part in the team's success with catch rates of over 90 percent. And this despite the fact that they were very often let down by those in front of them. Both are great guys and were very popular in the locker room. They gave us more options with the foreign field players.

The injury devil returned to the Puster dressing room several times and the medical department had its hands full. How do you explain the many failures?

The numerous failures were just bad luck, which is why we don't have to correct anything. When it comes to the physical preparation of the players and medical care, we are in a top position. The medical team has been doing excellent work for years. Athletic trainer Renè Baur and physiotherapist Helmut Seyr and his team are always there and work tirelessly. The players are excited.

“I was largely disappointed by the dual nationals, with the exception of Jacob Smith.” Pustertal Managing Director Jochen Schenk

How much did the new tax reform, which, among other things, provides for pension and accident insurance for players, affect the HCP's budget?

Enormously. On the one hand, the effort has become much greater, and on the other hand, the budget has increased dramatically. Suddenly we had to make employment contracts with salary bands, while our budget, which amounts to around 3 million euros, increased by almost half a million euros. The biggest problem was that we didn't know what to expect for a long time. We had already concluded some contracts in April or May and only found out in detail at the start of the season what effects this reform would have. Although it hurts, I think it's good that this reform took place. Local and young players in particular have certain security together with their parents: they are insured against accidents and pensions like any other worker. Despite participating in the play-offs, we are not in the black and will have to be more careful with player salaries in the coming season.

The Intercable Arena was sold out 3104 times last winter with 8 spectators. On average, 2574 fans watched the 30 home games. Satisfied?

Absolutely: You have to do something like that week after week, game after game. I come from event management and know that it is always an incredible challenge. So a big thank you to the 80 to 100 people who help out every home game and do an invaluable job.

New game, new luck: Will HC Pustertal be at the forefront again next season?

We will also try to be at the forefront in the 4th year. But it's going to be a damn difficult season because the competition doesn't sleep. I expect Graz, Laibach and Vienna, who recently missed the play-offs, to attack. It will be a challenge that we are looking forward to. If we can take the positive mood with us, then we can play an important role again.

Jacob Smith showed up in the playoffs. © Hannes Draxler

There has been a lot of coaching attrition in Brunico recently. In all three previous ICEHL participations, the coach was changed prematurely. Are you playing it safe next season?

That's what we've meant in previous seasons as well. In any case, we will try again to play it safe and work with a trainer on a long-term basis. Finally, continuity is very important. We have shortlisted a few candidates and have a clear profile for the new coach. He has to work with young players and develop the local cracks. We are looking for a coach who knows the European ice hockey mentality and has worked at a club for a long period of time. We imagine a young and hard-working coach with a modern approach.

How advanced is the HCP's squad planning?

We are only at the beginning, but on target. We expect some important decisions to be made in the next few days and weeks. The coach has priority and then we will put together the team together with him. It is very important for us to confirm the core of local players and build the new team around them.

Which foreigners from the past season would you like to keep in Brunico?

Alex Petan and Jason Akeson still have ongoing contracts. It's a shame that Christian Kasastul is returning to Finland. Joel Messner gets more money at Fehervar. Regarding the strikers, we are still in contact with Rick Schofield and Mikael Frycklund.

On Sunday there was a rumor circulating that Tyler Coulter could come to Bruneck. Is the Canadian an issue at the HCP?

Coulter is a candidate with whom we are in a good place. The center forward would have the advantage of knowing the league as he has already played in Innsbruck.

Is there already a goal for the 2024/25 season?

We want to reach the play-offs again. We will do everything we can to make it happen again. After that, a lot is possible, as we saw this year. We also want to give the local players more weight, as a future is only possible with them. The aim is to show young players how they can become professionals. We have an academy and a prospect team, as well as good cooperation with Vipiteno and Brixen.

The World Cup of Division I Group A begins next Sunday in Bolzano. HC Pustertal has the most players. Proud?

This fills us with great pride. After all, there were other times too. I am particularly happy for the 4 South Tyroleans from the HCP who made it into the World Cup squad. I hope that the enthusiasm for ice hockey that recently prevailed in South Tyrol spills over to the World Cup.

What do you think the “Azzurri” can do at the home World Cup?

I think that anything is possible. I do hope that we will be promoted to the top group. That would be important for the future of Italian ice hockey.

Interview: Kurt Platter

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“Give the local players more weight”

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