Tobias Brighenti (center) will no longer play for Wolkenstein and Neumarkt. © Matthäus Kostner

Tobias Brighenti: As Val Gardena champion into the IHL

It's the first spectacular transfer on the domestic ice hockey transfer market. Newly crowned AlpsHL champion and long-time Unterland captain Tobias Brighenti is moving to a lower league.

07 May 2026

From: fop

HC Eppan Pirates have apparently pulled off a coup! Tobias Brighenti, a former national player and one of the longest-serving South Tyrolean defensemen in the Alps Hockey League, is on the verge of a move to Überetsch.

The signing of the 29-year-old Margreider to Eppan has not yet been officially confirmed, but the rumors surrounding this blockbuster transfer, which have been circulating for days, are now being further fueled. Both HC Gherdëina and the Unterland Cavaliers officially bid farewell to Brighenti on their social media channels this Thursday.

A leader in the lowlands

The defenseman, who has also played for Ritten, Bolzano, Cortina, and Pustertal during his career, most recently spent six years with his hometown club, the Unterland Cavaliers, five of them as captain. He finished the past season in Val Gardena, where his 9 points in 19 playoff games were instrumental in their sensational championship win.

Tobias Brighenti (far left) captained the Cavs for many years. © Vanna Antonello

Brighenti will now seek a new challenge in the Italian Hockey League. It's quite possible that he'll bring further reinforcements from higher leagues with him to Eppan.