Markus Gander & Co. have had a turbulent season. © Oskar Brunner

Coaches, foreigners, preparation: everything is new in Wipptal

The Wipptal Broncos have had a season in which they showed two faces: the grumpy, moody one under the leadership of Jussi Tupamäki. And the cheerful, cheerful one under Jiri Veber's sayings. Egon Gschnitzer, who has been the Wild Horses' sporting director for two decades now, explains the reasons for this and at the same time takes a look into the uncertain future.

23 May 2023

On paper, the Wipptal Broncos were one of the best teams in the AlpsHL last year. Nevertheless, the white and blue missed the semi-finals of the IHL Serie A. In the league, Markus Gander & Co. came out of the affair well with the quarter-final exit against the eventual champions Jesenice. Jiri Veber played a major role in this, replacing Jussi Tupamäki in mid-November and getting the team on track after initial difficulties. Egon Gschnitzer is only moderately satisfied with how the season went. Why, read here.

If you could give the past season a grade, what would it be?

“To put it in writing: no more than satisfactory. We missed both the semi-finals in Serie A and the direct playoff entry in the AlpsHL. We had set both goals as goals, but in the end we were far from it. At the beginning we had the wrong coach. Tupamäki is by no means a bad man, but his style didn't suit the team. If we had had Veber from the start, we would have ended up further ahead.”


What wasn't right with the Finn and what did Veber do better?

“Tupamäki is not a talkative coach. He believes that everyone should know for themselves that they have to achieve the maximum. However, in South Tyrol, where almost all players work, it is important to motivate the players and make them enjoy their work. Although Veber came from a higher level, he immediately understood that the fun factor was extremely important. If you approach the training and the games with joy, the good results will come about.”

Jakob Rabanser has established himself in the Broncos goal. © Oskar Brunner

But there is no shame in being eliminated against the eventual champions…

“No, not at all. We knew beforehand that we didn't have much of a chance against Jesenice. But if we had played like we did from the start, we wouldn't have met Jesenice in the quarter-finals. We had a good team, but under Tupamäki no player fulfilled their potential, but under Veber they did. But of course the elimination against Jesenice is no shame. You've seen how good they are. The championship title is deserved.”


How satisfied are you with the Legionnaires' performance?

“We will not be extending any player – apart from Justin Maylan, who signed a two-year contract last year. Although our imports performed well in the regular season when we needed them most, they didn't make the difference - especially in the playoffs. They are not playoff players, the statistics show that. We will reorient ourselves in this regard for the new season.”


Is Veber set for the coaching position?

“He is one of three candidates. Dustin Whitecotton (from 2019 to 2022 in Vipiteno, editor's note), who has returned to Europe with his family, is also being discussed. However, I believe that the choice will ultimately fall on a new name from Sweden.”

The Broncos are already working on their form. © Oskar Brunner

What about the locals?

“It suggests that two or three regular players will leave us or hang up their skates. The decision hasn't been made definitively yet, but it looks like it will. If that actually happened, it would hurt us a lot.”


What do the Broncos need to do better in the new season?

“First and foremost, work hard in the summer. We have hired a permanent dry trainer who has been doing four sessions per week with the players since May 1st. We have to make the most of it in the summer months so that we are ready in the fall. After that, it's important to find a coach who will continue the hard work on the ice. In addition, a good start to the season is always important. Just like the performance of the foreigners – especially in a league like the AlpsHL.”


Last question: What about the stadium?

“The perspective is very bad. All we know is that the demolition will finally take place in June. What comes next is uncertain. The municipality will probably announce a competition, which actually should have happened last year. The political wheels turn very slowly, so at the moment it is impossible to say what will happen in the next few months.”