Bolzano's new signing certainly brings glamour and glamour to the league. © Instagram/hcdinamo.by

There he is! HC Bozen has a new star

HC Bozen has waited a long time to make its transfer announcement, but now it's all the more impressive. The Foxes have landed a player who has played nearly 900 games in the world's top leagues and has already competed for Canada at the Olympics.

July 10, 2025

From: fop

It is not Michael Dal Colle, nor TJ Brennan, with whom the Foxes were also in contact, but the most prominent new signing of the Bolzano team is Mark BarberioHe comes from the Russian KHL and is expected to lead the way as a top defender and charismatic leader.

At 35, the Canadian is the oldest player on the Foxes' roster—after Dustin Gazley (36)—and brings a correspondingly wealth of experience. His resume is peppered with entries from the world's top ice hockey leagues. Barberio played eight years in the NHL (Tampa, Montreal, Colorado), was captain of top Swiss club HC Lausanne from 2020 to 2022, and played for Kazan, Minsk, and Severstal in the KHL.

Mark Barberio (l.) celebrated in Colorado alongside world stars such as Mikko Rantanen and Nazem Kadri © Instagram/coloradoavalanche

Barberio is considered a true lover of Italy, but currently doesn't have an Italian passport. He hails from Montreal and was educated in eastern Canada, where he made the leap to the world's best league as a Calder Cup winner in the AHL. He made a total of 281 NHL appearances, scoring 14 goals and 43 assists.

For Canada at the Olympics

In his first European season in Lausanne, the defenseman collected 20 points, but also 95 penalty minutes. The North American powerhouse (1,85 m/95 kg) was immediately elected captain in Switzerland, and most recently served as assistant captain with Severstal in the KHL. Thanks in part to his leadership qualities, Barberio made it to the Canadian national team, for which he competed at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing (five appearances).

“I will give everything to win the title” Mark Barberio

The experienced left-handed shooter is expected to be used in a variety of positions in Bolzano. Firstly, because he's considered a power-play expert, and secondly, because he's a good skater with a precise first pass and a powerful shot from defense, posing a scoring threat.

Mark Barberio once served as captain of HC Lausanne.

After signing his contract in Bolzano, Barberio said: "The opportunity to live and play ice hockey in Italy is something very special." Bolzano is a club with a great tradition and rich history. He knows the ambitions of the club and its fans and promises to "give everything to achieve the common goal – winning the title," the Canadian said.

The current squad of HC Bozen:

Gate: Sam Harvey, Gianluca Vallini

Defense: Dylan Di Perna, Scott Valentine, Jason Seed, Philip Samuelsson (new), Max Gildon (new), Mark Barberio (new)

Attack: Dustin Gazley, Daniel Mantenuto, Brad McClure, Matt Bradley, Pascal Brunner, Daniel Frank, Luca Frigo, Bryce Misley (new), Shane Gersich (new), Brett Pollock (new)