Lauri Heino is supposed to stir things up. © JoKP

New sporting director and players: Unterland is getting serious

In the midst of preparations for the new season in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL), the Unterland Cavaliers have announced the signing of a new sporting director and a new foreign player.

29 May 2026

From: leo

According to this, he leads with Alessandro Benin A familiar name will be guiding the Cavaliers' sporting fortunes in the future. "As a friend of the club and a season ticket holder since last season, he has provided important impetus for building the team and the sporting direction of the upcoming season in recent months," the Cavs wrote on their homepage.

The 49-year-old from Milan began his coaching career at HC Lugano, where he worked as a video coach. He then also worked as an assistant coach at his hometown club before moving to HC Ambrì-Piotta. At the traditional Ticino club, he held numerous roles for 13 years – first as video coach, then as team manager and assistant sporting director.

The new man at the Cavaliers: Alessandro Benin © HC Ambri-Piotta

At the same time, he served for ten years as a scout for the Everett Silvertips, who play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). "This addition represents a significant step for the club. Thanks to Alessandro, the club is strategically expanding its structures and supplementing them with additional sporting experience, an international perspective, and top-level expertise."

This is the new striker

Furthermore, the Cavaliers announced, Lauri Heino to have signed the 29-year-old Finn. He will bolster the team's offense. "He is considered a winger with a strong physical presence, which he knows how to use effectively in both the offensive and defensive zones. With his powerful playing style, he can make a significant impact in the forecheck, win battles for the puck, and also take responsibility when tracking back. His good shot and presence in front of the opponent's net, where he can create havoc and dangerous situations, are particularly noteworthy," the club describes.

Heino spent almost his entire career in Finland's second-highest league, the Mestis, where he amassed 155 points (87 goals) in 317 matches. This included last season, when he played for JoKP Joensuu. His only experience playing abroad came in 2024/25, when he scored 21 points in 24 matches for Ferencvarosi TC in the First League.