Ritten national player Peter Spornberger is breaking new ground. © IIHF

Why Bolzano? Spornberger explains his change

Peter Spornberger is 25 years old and is one of the best Italian ice hockey has produced in recent memory. After nine years in Germany, he is now moving back to South Tyrol. We spoke to him about the reasons for his spectacular move.

30 Maj 2024

The rumor had been going on for weeks, but hardly anyone in the Bolzano club environment really believed that Peter Spornberger would be signed. Since this Thursday morning it has been clear: the national player is moving from the DEL to the ICE Hockey League. In the future he will live at home in Oberinn again and will be chasing the title half an hour's drive away at the home stadium of HC Bozen. Was it private reasons or the exciting sporting task that led to your unexpected return? In conversation with SportNews Spornberger gives insights into his world of thoughts.

Peter Spornberger, what motivated you to take this career step?

“When a club like Bozen asks, you don’t say no. I thought about it and then decided relatively quickly based on one aspect in particular.”


And that would be?

“That sounds like a worn-out phrase, but it is actually true: the absolute desire to win. This credo, this objective and these expectations do not exist in many clubs. Bolzano is definitely one of them. There is a clear goal here: become champions! I’ve never had that in my career and I really want to experience that.”

“There was a lot of talk, but it was never really concrete.” Spornberger on further substitution options

You have made considerable development in recent years, was there no interest from the DEL?

“Yes, there was interest and there was a lot of talk, but it was never really concrete. I never felt like I was necessarily wanted anywhere. I don't see any point in taking on the role of a rotation player, being an addition to the squad, just to stay in the DEL. I want to play and develop – and Bolzano offers me this opportunity.”


So it was purely sporting reasons that led to your return to Bolzano?

“I love my homeland and am really happy to be home again in the future. I know what awaits me here. But you're right: First and foremost, I think this step makes sense for my career as a professional ice hockey player. I have a friend in Germany who I will unfortunately see less of in the future. But I'm 25 years old, I don't have a family yet, I don't have a fixed center of life. You can take the step into another league, into another country, more easily than later in your career.”


It sounds like you haven't finished with German ice hockey yet.

“No, not at all! I would like to play in the DEL again in the future, especially since I also have a German passport. There are many players who took a detour - including my Schwenningen teammate Alex Trivellato - and then returned to the German upper house even stronger. In my opinion, the ICE has a top level that is definitely higher than that of the DEL2. So I don’t see my move as a step backwards, on the contrary: I hope I get a lot of ice time in Bolzano and can mature in a new role.”

Peter Spornberger played 113 DEL games for Schwenningen, previously playing in Freiburg and Landshut. © schwenninger-wildwings.de

Can you tell us how the discussions with the HCB went?

“It was all very professional. As an 'Italian abroad' you are somehow always in contact with the local clubs. During the World Cup in Bolzano, I and my advisor agreed to absolute radio silence so that I could concentrate on the sport. After that everything happened relatively quickly.”

“I had a good conversation with Glen Hanlon.” Spornberger through his HCB contact

So didn't HCB coach Glen Hanlon or her Bolzano national team colleagues have to do any persuasion?

“I had a good conversation with Hanlon, which really impressed me. But of course I also had contact with long-time companions like Luca Frigo, Daniel Frank and Johnny Vallini. I think the feedback from players is the most honest and accurate. Basically, they confirmed to me what Hanlon and sports director Knoll had already said.”


You return to the Sparkasse Arena. There was a bitter experience there recently with missing out on promotion to the World Cup. Do you still think about it often?

“No, that’s over. It simply hurt so much not to have given the many fans the success they had hoped for. For me personally it wasn't a bad tournament, but it wasn't a really good one either. I am sure that I can convince the South Tyrolean fans of my skills over the course of a whole season and that we will experience great victories and memorable moments together. In any case, I’m really looking forward to this new adventure in Bolzano.”