The new Leifers ice hockey project was presented on Monday evening. © SSV Leifers Hockey Bears

Ice hockey in Leifers: Putting it back in the spotlight

On Monday evening, a press conference was held on the terrace of the Al Cavaliere restaurant at the Vallarsa ice rink to present the SSV Leifers Hockey Bears' sporting and organizational project for the 2026/27 season. This is the goal of the new project.

August 03, 2026

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The event, which was also attended by the mayor of Leifers, Giovanni Seppi, officially marked the beginning of a new phase in the Bears' history. After 15 years, a senior ice hockey team is returning to Leifers.

As announced on July 10th, the new team will participate in the Italian Hockey League – Division 1, which is equivalent to the national Serie C. The return to senior competition is the next step in a journey that began in 2014 and has developed over the years around youth development, families, and the local community.

The sporting project for the 2026/27 season is based on three central priorities: the establishment of two new teams with the return of the first team and the first-ever founding of a U16 team in the history of the Bears, the consolidation and further development of youth work from U8 to U16, and the reintroduction of the ice hockey beginner program.

Stadium reopening at the beginning of November

A crucial step will be the reopening of the renovated Vallarsa ice rink, scheduled for early November. The return of the SSV Leifers Hockey Bears to their own venue, where the last training session took place in March 2025, will allow the club to resume operations under appropriate and competitive conditions.

Ice hockey in Leifers aims to become a meeting place again. © SSV Leifers Hockey Bears

One of the project's main objectives is to restore the Vallarsa arena to the forefront of the city's sporting identity. The arena should once again become a meeting place for players, families, fans, and ice hockey enthusiasts – while fully complying with all necessary procedures for the future use of the indoor facility.

As of August 3, 2026, the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG) has officially confirmed Leifers as one of the thirteen participants in the 2026/27 IHL Division 1. The final format of the championship is still being finalized. The schedule, group composition, and other organizational details will be announced through official channels as soon as they are confirmed.

The squad announced so far includes goalkeepers Matteo Sulmona and Jonas Plank, defenders Nikolas Bedin and Simone Gabanella, and forward Tommaso Causa. The team presentation will continue in the coming weeks with further announcements about the players and coaching staff. This new project combines sports, education, community, and organization.