Italy's national team is preparing for the World Cup. © Valentina Gallina

Italy's World Cup squad: Some big names are missing (still)

Italy's ice sports association announced on Wednesday the timetable for the upcoming home world championships in Bolzano and also the provisional squad.

03 April 2024

From: det

In the past few weeks, HC Bozen and HC Pustertal have provided numerous memorable ice hockey moments. However, the season in the ICE Hockey League has ended since Tuesday evening. However, the next highlight is just around the corner: the Ice Hockey World Championships will begin in Bolzano in less than a month.

The Ice Hockey World Championship, 28st Division Group A, will take place in the Sparkasse Arena from April 4th to May 1th. Italy now has coach Mike Pelino (he replaces head coach Mike Keenan, who has to sit out for health reasons) The first, provisional squad for the World Cup preparations has been announced.

Clara, Trivellato, Frank & Co. not there yet

Some well-known names such as Damian Clara, Thomas Larkin, Alex Trivellato or Bolzano's Daniel Frank and Luca Frigo are not yet in the squad. “In the next few days, some players who recently finished their season or were given a few additional days of rest will join the team,” the association said in a circular.

No fewer than five preparatory games are planned before the World Cup. The Blue Team will face France twice (April 13th and 14th in Megève and Aosta), South Korea twice (April 20th and 24th in Neumarkt) and Hungary once (April 23rd in Merano).

Italy's provisional World Cup squad

goalkeeper
Andreas Bernard, Jake Smith (both HC Pustertal), Davide Fadani (Ambrì-Piotta/NLA), Gianluca Vallini (HC Bozen)

Abwehr
Lorenzo Casetti, Gregorio Gios (both Asiago), Francesco Forte (Fassa), Daniel Glira (HC Pustertal), Kris Pietroniro (HC Bozen), Phil Pietroniro (Dukla Trencin/Slovakia), Sebastiano Soracreppa (Thurgau/Swiss League), Peter Spornberger (Schwenninger Wild Wings/DEL)

Attack
Dan Catenacci, Ivan Deluca, Dante Hannoun, Matthias Mantinger (all HC Pustertal), Pascal Brunner, Leonardo Felicetti (HC Bozen), Giordano Finoro, Michele Marchetti (both Asiago), Davide Conci (Wipptal Broncos), Tommaso De Luca, Diego Kostner (Ambrì-Piotta/NLA), Tommy Purdeller (Peterborough Petes/OHL), Marco Zanetti (HC Lugano/NLA)

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