Val Gardena’s new player is no unknown quantity in Italy.

A Russian completes the Val Gardena defense

The Hockey Club Gherdëina has signed the next guest worker and thus put the last piece of the puzzle in its defense.

July 25, 2025

From: pm

After Sacha Guimond and Carmine Buono (who, as an Italian-Canadian, does not burden the foreign quota), Dmitri Vozovik the third legionnaire in defense.

"We really wanted to sign him last year, and now we've succeeded. Dmitri is extremely enthusiastic and has exceptional technical skills. He's also an excellent skater," enthuses HCG Sports Director Joel Brugnoli.

Dmitri Vozovik has already played in Russia, Belarus, Italy and France.

The 28-year-old Vozovik was born in Moscow and began playing ice hockey with Belye Medvedi Moskva. The left-handed shooter moved to the VHL, Russia's second-highest professional league, via the Russian Youth League (MHL). He played his first three games for Krasnoyarsk, then moved to Neftekamsk, Togliatti, and finally Krasnogorsk. In 2021, the defenseman gained his first international experience with Yunost Minsk in the Belarusian top division. He then returned to the VHL with Voronezh before being signed by Como in 2023.

Via Como and Briancon to Selva

With the Lombardy team, the 1,81-meter-tall Vozovik became the Italian Hockey League (IHL)'s top-scoring defenseman in the regular season—just ahead of his new teammate Carmine Buono, who was still playing in Pergine at the time. The Russian collected a total of 34 points (44 goals) in 11 games. This aroused interest from foreign leagues: Briancon signed Vozovik, who also impressed in France's top division with 16 points. Now, the Val Gardena's new number 14 is embarking on his first adventure in the AlpsHL.