HC Meran has had a turbulent season. © Sarah Mitterer

“They are not the ones to blame”: Now the HCM boss speaks

HC Meran has not yet managed to reach the playoffs since being promoted to the Alps Hockey League. The fact that this wasn't enough last season was a bitter disappointment to those responsible. Personnel changes are looming for the new season, as President Stefan Kobler reveals in an interview with SportNews.

10 May 2023

The Eagles have had a season that can be divided by three. At the start, Brad Gratton's team lost seven games in a row and were carrying the red lantern. The results stabilized in mid-October before the HCM began to soar at the end of November. Before the turn of the year, Luca Ansoldi & Co. won seven of nine games, which meant they reached the final four of the Italian championship. There they fought for a respectable third place before a circumstance completely derailed them: the injury to defense boss Stephen Desrocher. The result? Nine bankruptcies in a row and the early end of the season. Stefan Kobler looks back with us and at the same time looks ahead to the coming transfer summer.

The season has already ended for over two months. What conclusion did you draw?

“We knew that the second year in the AlpsHL would be a little more difficult because the initial euphoria had worn off a bit. But no one would have expected it to be so turbulent. We just couldn't get the ups and downs under control. Above all, we had to struggle with brutal away weakness. We were never consistent, never found balance.”


What are the reasons for that?

“They are difficult to understand. Was it the coach, the change that was initiated, is the AlpsHL too tough for some players or was it just bad luck? We do not know it. After sitting down with the experienced professionals and the coach, we got on track in December and showed interesting, modern ice hockey. Unfortunately, with Desrocher's injury we went into a skid again. The club has to admit mistakes here.”


What?

“Our squad was too thin. In a league like the AlpsHL, a strong third and fourth line that takes the pressure off the front lines is a must. We missed that. Regarding the new season, our core task is to improve this. Because you can't consistently compete with just nine strikers. We have to react, there are some personnel decisions to be made.”

Ben Hawerchuk (left), Patrick Tomasini (center) and Luca Ansoldi (right). © Sarah Mitterer

How satisfied are you with the performance of the Legionnaires?

“It's too easy to blame the foreigners and the coach. The locals form the core of the team and they also have to perform. And if we're honest, they haven't done their job. I'm not talking about the experienced ones like Christian Borgatello, who remains one of the best Italian defenders. They are not to blame for the misery.”


Speaking of experience: Are the veterans continuing their careers?

“They have to keep gritting their teeth until the transition takes place, but also slowly realize that they have to pass the ball on. Players with their experience are not easy to replace, we need them. I am convinced that they still have one or two good years left in them. The young, on the other hand, shouldn't always think that the veterans will figure it out. You have to want to steal the place from the more established players and take responsibility yourself.”

“At the moment there are many signs that there is a new coach.” Stefan Kobler

Does coach Brad Gratton have a future in Meran?

“Brad has been in the business for a long time. He taught the players a lot and certainly played a part in why things were going so well in the meantime. He has a professional attitude, but at the moment there are many signs that he needs a new coach. We have a lot of conversations – including with Brad. It is that position that we want to clarify first.”


But Pascal Brunner will leave HCM, right?

"Yes. After he played so well for us, we knew that doors would open for him. That is exactly our task. We have to ensure that players can develop and take a step forward and then, like Pascal, make it to a higher league. That's why we're continuing our partnership with HC Bozen. So we showed young players what was possible. Of course it’s difficult to replace a player like that, but this gives another young guy the chance to prove himself.”


Finally: What are the goals for the coming season?

“I'm a realist and don't promise things we can't keep. That's why I'm not saying that we want to play for the championship title. Our budget is too small for that. What we're aiming for is greater consistency and being ready in the most important part of the season. We recently moved from the back to the front twice, but were unable to live up to our performance in the qualifying round. In Serie A we want to defend our great third place from last year and, if possible, improve it. The opportunity is there.”