John Parco is in charge of the U20 team. © Vanna Antonello

With 12 South Tyroleans: U20 team starts its home World Championship campaign

From December 8th, many eyes will be on Milan: The U20 World Championship will then start in the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, which will also serve as a catering venue during the Olympic Games. A dozen South Tyroleans have been nominated.

02 December 2025

From: leo

While work is still in full swing at the Arena Santa Giulia, the second, smaller ice hockey stadium for the upcoming Olympic Games is already complete. The Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, which will host the women's preliminary round matches and some men's games, will be the venue for the upcoming U20 World Championship Division IB starting December 8th. Italy will face Estonia, Lithuania, Japan, Poland, and Hungary.

The team, featuring twelve players from South Tyrol, began its pre-season training on Monday in Asiago under the guidance of John Parco. On the high plateau, the Azzurrini will also play a friendly against Japan on Friday, December 5th, before relocating to Milan. Parco's squad aims to achieve promotion to the second division after three consecutive third-place finishes.

Parco warns

“It’s an extremely demanding tournament,” Parco emphasized ahead of the championships. “We can’t underestimate any opponent or think one game will be easier than another. The field is packed with top-class teams and players. We need to be a team that makes as few mistakes as possible in our own zone and is also able to effectively utilize counterattacks and power plays. In the first few days in Asiago, we will focus primarily on tactics.”

The U20 team is getting into shape. © Vanna Antonello

Italy, however, starts the tournament weakened, as their most important defenseman, Josef Prast, who plays for AlpsHL leaders Salzburg, is out injured. Stefano Piechenstein of HC Eppan is also unavailable due to injury. Nevertheless, the South Tyrolean roster is impressive: Goaltender Filippo Matonti (Varese), defensemen Elia Carissimi, Noah Frick (both HC Meran), Alex Curti (Unterland Cavaliers), Jan Frenademez (Cortina), and Gabriel Nitz (HC Pustertal), as well as forwards Leo Kruselburger, Marco Niccolai (both Wipptal Broncos), Raffael Nitz (Asiago), Matthias Pardatscher (HC Eppan), Villi Pisetta (Unterland Cavaliers), and Philipp Winkler (ERC Ingolstadt) are all on the team.

U20 World Cup, the program:

Monday, December 8st:
Italy – Poland (16 p.m.)

Tuesday, December 9th:
Italy – Lithuania (20 p.m.)

Thursday, December 11th:
Italy – Japan (20 p.m.)

Saturday December 13th:
Italy – Hungary (20 p.m.)

Sunday December 14th:
Italy – Estonia (16 p.m.)

The squad

Tor
Carlo Giordani (Universel College Quebec)
Filippo Matonti (HCMV Varese Hockey)
Riccardo Santangelo (Hockey Club Asiago)

Defense
Elia Carissimi (HC Meran)
Alex Curti (Unterland Cavaliers)
Jan Frenademez (Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina)
Noah Frick (HC Meran)
Andrea Gesumaria (HC Aosta Gladiators)
Gabriel Nitz (HC Pustertal)
Rosario Tolomelli (Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina)

Storm
Jacopo De Luca (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Lorenzo Ferretti (Hockey Club Asiago)
Leo Kruselburger (Wipptal Broncos)
Fallou Mbow (Hockey Club Asiago)
Rocco Meneghetti (IF Bjorklöven)
Andrea Miglioranzi (Hockey Club Asiago)
Marco Niccolai (Wipptal Broncos)
Raffael Nitz (Hockey Club Asiago)
Alessandro Parco (Hockey Club Asiago)
Matthias Pardatscher (HC Eppan)
Villi Pisetta (Unterland Cavaliers)
Pietro Viel (Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina)
Philipp Winkler (HC Ingolstadt)