Italy's squad for the home World Cup in Bolzano is ready. © Italy Hockey

Home World Cup in Bolzano: Italy's squad is now ready

Italy announced the squad exactly one week before the start of the World Cup 1st Division Group A in Bolzano. There were no surprises.

21 April 2024

From: dl

The only one who could join is Damian Clara. Otherwise, Italy's squad for the B World Cup is in Bolzano. Goalkeeper Davide Fadani, defenders Lorenzo Casetti and Gregorio Gios as well as strikers Pascal Brunner, Davide Conci, Leonardo Felicetti, Giordano Finoro, Dante Hannoun and Marco Zanetti were omitted. Above all, Brunner's absence is considered a bit of a surprise, after all he attracted attention in both Bolzano and Merano this year. Many also expected Pustertal's Hannoun to be in the squad. The same goes for Zanetti, who played over 50 games in the Swiss National League for Lugano this year.

“We wanted to rely on the right mix of experience and youth. The selection was not easy, but we are sure that this team can give everything on the ice and we are confident that with these guys we can achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. It will be a nice challenge to play a World Cup at home, it doesn't happen every day. This has to be an additional motivation for all of us,” explained Italy’s sports director Stefan Zisser.

Below is the list of players called up for the next two friendlies (on Tuesday in Meran against Hungary and on Wednesday in Neumarkt against South Korea) and then for the World Cup:

Italy's squad

Goalkeeper:
Andreas Bernard, Jake Smith (HC Pustertal – ICEHL), Gianluca Vallini (HC Bozen – ICEHL)

Defender:
Thomas Larkin, Peter Spornberger, Alex Trivellato (Schwenninger Wild Wings - DEL), Terrance Amorosa, Marco Insam (Rittner Buam - AlpsHL), Daniel Glira (HC Pustertal - ICEHL), Phil Pietroniro (Dukla Trencin - SVK), Jason Seed (SG Cortina – AlpsHL)

Attacker:
Daniel Frank, Luca Frigo, Dustin Gazley, Daniel Mantenuto (HC Bozen - ICEHL), Daniel Catenacci, Ivan Deluca, Matthias Mantinger (HC Pustertal - ICEHL), Tommaso De Luca, Diego Kostner (Ambrì-Piotta - NLA), Michele Marchetti ( Asiago Hockey – ICEHL), Tommy Purdeller (Peterborough Petes – OHL), Anthony Salinitri (Stavanger Oilers – Norway)

Trainer
Mike Pelino (head coach), Fabio Armani, Perry Pearn, Diego Scandella (assistant coach), David Jamieson (goalie coach), Mike Kadar (athletic coach)