Tommy Purdeller (l.) and Peter Spornberger (r.) are looking forward to the home World Cup in Bolzano. © det

It's about their future: Special World Cup for two South Tyroleans

Peter Spornberger and Tommy Purdeller play in the absolute top leagues, they are the youngsters in Italy's national team and at the same time bearers of hope at the home World Cup. And yet they have to ask themselves the question: What happens next?

24 April 2024

One, Peter Spornberger, is 25 years old, has been playing in Germany's top ice hockey league for three seasons and has been one of the pillars of the Blue Team for some time. The other, Tommy Purdeller, is 20 years old, chasing the puck in what is probably the best youth league in the world and was his team's top scorer last season. Both are the youngest players in the World Cup squad alongside Tommaso De Luca. Both are huge hopefuls in domestic ice hockey. Both have great careers ahead of them. And both may soon be without an employer.

Spornberger's contract with DEL club Schwenningen expires this summer. According to a club report, they are “in open discussions.” However, in the Wild Wings environment, Rittner is being treated as a departure. After years of promising development, he lost his regular place in defense last winter - despite good performances and statistics (8 scorer points). “It wasn't an easy time for me. We played a great season and made it to the quarter-finals, but I wasn't allowed to make my contribution towards the end," says Spornberger in an interview SportNews.

“The time has come when I have to look at myself.” Peter Spornberger

The South Tyrolean defender, who previously trained in Freiburg, Cologne and Landshut, is thinking about how his career should continue. “The time has come when I have to look at myself. I want to play ice hockey where they rely on me, where the overall package fits,” says Spornberger unequivocally. But then he adds: “Schwenningen is currently a priority. I like it here, ice hockey is alive here. Commerce doesn't play as big a role here as it does elsewhere. We may not have the huge halls like in Cologne or Berlin, but 5000 fans at our home games create an even better atmosphere.”

Peter Spornberger played 113 DEL games for Schwenningen, but his contract is expiring. © schwenninger-wildwings.de

While Spornberger talks about the Wild Wings, his eyes sparkle - also because he is in good company there with his national teammates Alex Trivellato and Thomas Larkin. However, if the traditional club from the Black Forest does not extend the contract, there would probably be other options for Rittner. There are said to be several interested parties from the DEL alone. So a return to Italy seems out of the question, at least for now. “At some point my girlfriend and I would like to move our center of life to South Tyrol. Maybe I’ll play for Ritten or Bozen,” says Spornberger with a wink.

Purdeller near Pustertal is a topic

Tommy Purdeller is looking to return to his roots more quickly. The striker from Brunico is considered a new signing at his hometown club HC Pustertal. Similar to Spornberger, his working paper is only dated to this summer. Purdeller celebrated his 20th birthday a few days ago and would therefore occupy one of only two available quota places for the Peterborough Petes in the Canadian junior league OHL in the future, for which the age limit does not count. So staying with last year's champions is unlikely.

Tommy Purdeller in a SportNews conversation. © det

That's why the young Pusterer speaks openly about his plans: “The AHL would be a dream, the ECHL maybe a possibility. In any case, I would like to stay overseas.” With 47 points (13 goals) in 63 games, he was the most dangerous player on his team in what experts consider to be the best youth league in the world – a clear calling card. So if it's not enough to get involved in the second or third highest division in North America, one or two doors might open in Scandinavia. Or would the striker then move back home? “HC Pustertal is my hometown club, I follow the games as a fan on streaming,” says Purdeller, whose girlfriend and family live in Bruneck. But there is nothing concrete to report.

“We want to win this tournament!” Tommy Purdeller

First of all, there are more important things to do anyway, i.e. an absolute premiere: Purdeller has only played test games in adult ice hockey so far; he will make his real debut at the World Cup in Bolzano. “I'm looking forward to this experience. The ice surface is larger than in Canada, which gives me a little more time to act on the ice and could have a positive effect on my game,” said the Pusterer.

Purdeller sets the direction before the start of the World Cup: “We want to win this tournament!” Spornberger agrees with him at our meeting at the Hotel Sheraton: “Creating promotion at home would be something unique.” For both of them, however, it’s not just about that Promotion with Italy, but also about their personal future: With good World Cup games they can play into the shop window, provide arguments for a new contract or arouse desire.