HC Bozen is breaking new ground this year

In times of economic difficulties, HC Bozen wants to break new ground and set an example for other ice hockey clubs in South Tyrol and Italy. “This year we were faced with the decision to give up the professional team or to go completely new ways. We on the board decided on the second option. Although we are allowed to employ six foreigners this year, we will not be making full use of this framework. If we bring in a foreigner, it has to be a really good player. We are assuming that we will bring four transfer card players to us,” said HCB managing director Dieter Knoll.

HC Bozen wants to rely fully on local players in the coming sporting year. “We have extended all contracts with our ten local players and signed three young players from the region: Markus Gander, Peter Wunderer and Federico Gilmozzi. We are convinced that we can be competitive even with fewer foreigners if we manage to attract real talent to us,” continued Knoll.

Players forego part of their salary

The local players are not only the framework for the coming season, they have also made an economic contribution to the continued existence of HC Bozen. Zisser, Walcher & Co. voluntarily gave up part of their salary. “The board came to us and explained their project to us. We were also informed about the economic difficulties and were asked to forego part of our salary. We then sat together as players and decided – despite financial losses and other offers – to stay in Bolzano,” said captain Alexander Egger.

The HCB is the most renowned club in Italy and Bolzano is a wonderful city. There was a great atmosphere in the team last year. “This great atmosphere contributed significantly to winning the 19th championship title. That’s why we accept the cuts,” Egger continued.

Coach question still open

Dieter Knoll has not yet reported any implementation of the coaching question. There are said to have been discussions with master coach Adolf Insam and his short-term assistant Brian McCutcheon, but no agreement has yet been reached. “The problem with McCutcheon is that he would like to place his son with us. Mark is a good, likeable guy and if we played with six foreigners that would definitely be an issue. But we need players with even better technical skills,” explained Knoll.

In any case, there should be clarity on the coaching question by August 20th, when the board of HC Bozen meets next. On September 14th, the record champions will present their entire squad and the coach to the public.

Season tickets significantly reduced The Talferstädter board made major cuts in the prices of season tickets. The subscription for the basic round of the championship costs 90 euros, which corresponds to just over four euros per game. Last year the price was 250 euros per season ticket. “Our goal is to sell at least 2000 subscriptions and fill the ice wave from the beginning of the season this year. We want to bind the fans to HC Bozen,” said Knoll, setting an ambitious goal. For play-off games, season ticket holders pay 14 euros per game. Single tickets cost ten euros in the basic season and 22 euros during the play-off phase. “In times of economic difficulties, we wanted to set an example and accommodate families,” said the managing director.

HC Bozen will play its first competitive game of the season on September 18th with the Supercup match against cup winners Cortina. Two days later, Serie A in Italian ice hockey begins.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Hockey

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

HC Bozen is breaking new ground this year

Suggestions

Comments (0)