Adam Capannelli in an interview. © Daniel Frusone

“Disappointing”: This Italian wants to show Bolzano and Pustertal

He led his Wipptal Broncos to the semifinals of the Alps Hockey League as the top scorer two years in a row and hoped to boost his career this summer. However, HC Bozen and HC Pustertal declined. Now Adam Capannelli wants to prove that South Tyrol's biggest ice hockey clubs made a mistake.

July 25, 2025

Adam Capannelli moved to Italy in 2022 as an unknown quantity. He signed with Varese and immediately made a lasting impression with the Lombardy team. The 26-year-old then moved to Toblach, where he became the top scorer of the Italian Hockey League (IHL) with 64 points in 27 games. The Wipptal Broncos took notice of the agile, powerful striker and lured him to Sterzing, where he seamlessly continued his IHL performances.

Capannelli collected an incredible 156 points (69 goals) in two seasons. Last season, he scored 34 goals – more than any other player in the AlpsHL. The Broncos' two consecutive semifinal appearances were largely thanks to the Montreal native, whose grandparents emigrated from Campobasso to Canada around 60 years ago.

No interest from Bolzano and Bruneck

“My grandparents are no longer alive, but they would be very proud to see me in the Italian jersey,” he told SportNewsThis dream could come true next year, as Capannelli has been an Italian citizen since this spring. "The process dragged on because I was always here in Italy and couldn't take care of the necessary documents in Canada. My parents finally helped me sort out all the details," explains the Italian-Canadian.

Adam Capannelli aims to prove himself with strong performances. © Oskar Brunner

Once the paperwork was completed, things moved very quickly. "I have to thank the people in Sterzing who supported me and made sure everything went smoothly. I'm very grateful for that," emphasizes the striker. After receiving his citizenship, Capannelli hoped more than ever for interest from local ICE clubs. Unfortunately, however, that didn't materialize.

"I wanted to move to Bozen or Pustertal this summer and prove myself in a higher league. However, I was told that they preferred to give the spot to a local player. I found that a bit disappointing, as I had recently demonstrated my qualities as one of the top scorers in the AlpsHL," Capannelli laments. "Receiving my passport had given me a sense of security. However, their decision was different. I can understand it to a certain extent and bear no resentment, but it's not entirely understandable to me."

Where are we going?

For Capannelli, the time has now come to leave the AlpsHL behind. "I want to try my hand at a higher league and show Bozen and Pustertal that I have what it takes to play there," he says. This means, in turn, that he is leaving the Broncos after two highly successful years. Capannelli doesn't yet have a concrete plan for where he will play next season.

Adam Capannelli is looking for a new employer. © Daniel Frusone

The goal is to have a great season to realize his second big dream: to play for Italy. "The timing was very unfortunate in the spring because I received my passport just days after the World Cup nominations. But I was already in contact with the national team. The 2026 Olympic Games are the reason I came to Italy all those years ago. I hope I stay on the coaches' radar, because the Olympics are at the top of my list," Capannelli concludes.