A lot of things are new at the Rittner Buam. © Max Pattis

A new era of ice hockey begins on the Ritten

Adolf Insam was in charge at Rittner Buam for eight years. Not in the gang, but in the composition of the squad. This year, the man from Val Gardena resigned from his position and left the position of sports director to two Rittner legends: Dan Tudin and Alexander Eisath, who want to achieve a lot with new ideas and a new approach.

12 May 2023

Not so long ago, when Tudin and Eisath were still chasing the puck themselves, there was almost no final in domestic ice hockey without the Rittner Buam. Between 2014 and 2019 they won a whopping six titles (five times the Italian Championship, once the Alps Hockey League). After these great successes failed to materialize in the last four years, the sports management is doing everything it can this year to be at the forefront again - but without neglecting youth work. In the following interview, Tudin and Eisath talk about their new tasks away from the ice.

Alexander Eisath, you only ended your career last year. Was it always clear to you that you would return to the club and take on the responsibility?

“It wasn't my plan, but I always knew that I would do something in the club because I still love ice hockey. I needed a year off to gain some distance. The situation with Dan finally motivated me to do it. I’m still very interested in ice hockey in Ritten.”

A Ritten veteran: Dan Tudin © Max Pattis

How did the first few months go and what was on the agenda?

“Logically, it is a new task for both of us. We had to familiarize ourselves first and had a lot of discussions with Adolf Insam and Thomas Rottensteiner, who previously held this role, in order to gain as much as possible. Later we looked at the existing team and talked to the players about expectations and ideas. We are slowly getting to the area where the first contracts have been signed.


Two sports directors on one team don't happen very often. How are the tasks distributed?

“Dan has already been active in the youth sector for the last two years and will continue to coordinate this and lead a category as a coach. I supported him in the AlpsHL team. I mainly handle the administrative part, while Dan is mostly in contact with the agents and players. We make the decisions together.”


Dan Tudin, does this dual task demand a lot from you?

"I really enjoy doing that. I still like being on the ice and teaching the kids. Because I'm now also the sports director, I had to slow down a bit, which is why I'm only looking after one youth team this year. So I'm not constantly on the ice and I'm also able to cope well with my role in the first team. But it’s clear: it’s a big challenge.”

Alexander Eisath leads the sporting direction with Dan Tudin. © Max Pattis

What are the specific goals? As a youth coach, incorporating new talent is certainly important to you.

“In recent years, many young Rittners have made the jump to the AlpsHL. Like many other teams in South Tyrol, we currently have an acute shortage of players from the U15 to the U19. Many children have stopped playing ice hockey due to the coronavirus, school and other reasons. It is our goal that the locals make it into the AlpsHL team - even if we know that not everyone succeeds. The level of the league is too high for that. The development concept of the youth sector is just as important to us as the performance of the first team. But we definitely want to put together a powerful team.”


Alexander Eisath, have the first personnel decisions already been made? In recent years, Ritten has traditionally been a team that communicated extensions and departures early on.

“Nothing is concrete yet, we are still in negotiations. The only thing that is certain is that Santeri Heiskanen is no longer the coach. We are convinced that after three years we have to take a new path and need a breath of fresh air. We are in contact with the foreign players from last year. The locals have not yet made a decision either. In recent years, Adolf Insam, with his great know-how, has completed the squad quite quickly, but this year it will probably take a little longer.”