A well-known name says goodbye to the ice hockey stage. © Vito de Romeo

A prominent retirement in Italy's ice hockey scene

While his teammates are working hard to keep fit, a former Italian international has announced his retirement. He was an institution at his hometown club, Cortina.

July 17, 2025

From: leo

The storied club had to wait a full 16 years before its title drought ended in 2023. Back then, the Ampezzo team beat the Rittner Buam 2-1 in the decisive match of the Italian championship. Riccardo Lacedelli played a major role in this triumph, scoring two goals in the final stages. Last season, Cortina repeated this triumph – and Lacedelli again played a leading role. With six points in four matches, he played a key role in the Ampezzo team's title victory against the Rittner Buam.

The 30-year-old won't be able to add any more trophies to his collection, as the club announced his retirement on Thursday. "Riccardo was always an indispensable player for our team. We will miss him greatly on and off the ice, but we are proud to have been his team for almost his entire life and wish him a future full of further success," Cortina wrote on social media.

A new chapter in Riccardo Lacedelli's life begins. © Vito de Romeo

Lacedelli played a total of 459 games for the Ampezzo club and ranks first on Cortina's all-time goalscoring list with 154 goals. The right-handed shooter also earned 1 caps for Italy, but never played in a World Cup. Now a new chapter is opening for Lacedelli – far from the ice.