Matteo Luisetti (left) is back on the attack for HC Val Gardena. © Studio Kostner

A well-known return delights the Val Gardena fans

The Hockey Club Gherdëina announced on Thursday a welcome return of a striker and a contract extension.

July 03, 2025

From: pm

With Matteo Luisetti and Luca Biondi Two players who know the club very well are returning to the Furies. "Luisetti is a dangerous, speedy striker who also has the necessary grit. In his last season with us, he scored 18 goals. We are convinced he can build on those performances," explains sporting director Joel Brugnoli. "We would like to give Biondi another chance after an unfortunate injury slowed him down last season. He can also make an impact on the attack, and he's not afraid of a challenge."

Luisetti, 25, hails from Erba and joined the HC Lugano youth team at the age of 13. From 2015 to 2018, he trained in St. Pölten with Okanagan HC Europe. He then moved to the HC Lausanne youth team before crossing the pond in 2020 and signing with the South Shore Kings (NCDC). HCG signed Luisetti in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has played 109 games for the Furie, scoring 71 points. These performances piqued the interest of the Bellinzona Snakes in the Swiss second division. Val Gardena's new number 17 finished last season in the colors of HC Aosta.

Biondi stays

Biondi, a year younger than him, is based in Turin. He also left his hometown at the age of 15 to join the Bolzano Academy. In 2019, he was signed by the Fassa Falcons, where he developed into a leading player. In his final season in Canazei, he collected an impressive 38 points in 27 games.

Luca Biondi attacks again. © Fassa Falcons / Doriano Brunel

He hasn't been able to demonstrate his talent at HCG yet, as he tore his cruciate ligament in a friendly match last August. Now Biondi, who will wear the number 74, is fit again and ready for his next challenge.