Squad, goals and fans: What's next in Meran?

SportNews: Mr. Kobler, HC Meran qualified for the playoff quarter-finals for the first time and then failed at Cortina. How satisfied are you with the season?

Stefan Kobler: “It was definitely our best year since we've been in the AlpsHL. Of course, Game 5 against Cortina was a wreck after we were still in the lead in our own stadium with a minute and a half to go. If we had kept this going over time, many things would have been possible. The icing on the cake was basically missing. But overall there was a lot of positive energy this year.”

You mention it: The HCM welcomed an average of over 700 spectators to the Meran Arena, more than in previous years. Where is this upswing coming from?

“On the one hand, we had a better team and better results. On the other hand, we also worked on it behind the scenes. We invited many clubs and sponsors to the stadium free of charge. These then continually came back. New fans have joined. At this point, all the hard work has paid off.”

An exceptional talent: Nolan Ritchie © BK Photo

Nevertheless, the club had doubts about participating in the AlpsHL after the end of the season. Where did the concerns come from?

“We signed a three-year contract in the summer of 2021. That's why we have now carried out an analysis after this time has elapsed. This wasn't just about the last year, but about the club's entire time in the AlpsHL. How is the budget? Can we continue to manage all of this? Finding sponsors is not that easy. Everything has increased due to inflation. For example, travel and material costs by up to 30%. Enrollment has also become more expensive. On the other hand, the league has lost many clubs. In the end, we chose the AlpsHL because of the euphoria that arose. We also now have a new board of directors, which includes a total of around 15 people.”

Who has joined the board?

“On the one hand, there are sponsors and patrons. On the other hand, I am now supported on a sporting level by Manuel Lo Presti and Luca Ansoldi. With the great experience they have gained as players, they are worth their weight in gold for the club.”

Luca Ansoldi (pictured) and Manuel Lo Presti will help on the board in the future. © BK PHOTO

Are there any considerations regarding a farm team in the IHL where your own youth players could also gain match practice?

“We already had discussions with Eppan last year. We hope that a collaboration will finally work out this year. Eppan is our clear preferred candidate. Otherwise, I have one or two clubs like Varese and Pergine in mind, although the journeys for the players would then be far.”

“If Andy Bernard could imagine the AlpsHL, I would do everything to bring him to Meran.” Merano President Stefan Kobler Anderson and Richtie have many offers, Makarov is already gone. What should the basic structure of the new team look like and are ICE veterans like Raphael Andergassen or Andy Bernard also an issue in Meran?

“We don’t need to talk about the qualities of Andergassen and Bernard. But they are currently professionals and live on a different salary. For example, if Bernard could imagine the AlpsHL, I would do everything to bring him to Meran. We need a new goalkeeper and would like an Italian keeper. Anderson and Ritchie have many offers - also from Europe. If they went back to North America to play in the US sports league, they would get a lot of money for their sports scholarship. It will be difficult to keep them in Meran. Both are extremely professional.”

What are the locals like and what are the goals for the new season?

“After this turbulent and stressful season, you simply have to give Christian Borgatello the time to calmly think about the future. He gives his last shirt for the club all year round. In any case, it is also important to find good foreigners again - as we managed to do with Ritchie and Anderson. Our minimum goal is the pre-playoff. I also really want to get to the semi-finals of Serie A. We haven’t been able to do that recently.”

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Squad, goals and fans: What's next in Meran?

HC Meran has revived the ice hockey euphoria in the Passerstadt and qualified for the playoffs of the Alps Hockey League for the first time. We spoke to the Adler's president, Stefan Kobler, about the past season, the audience boom, the near future and also rumors.

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