Finland, Marco Insam & more: Andreas Bernard in an interview

In the summer months when he is not training, Bernard always likes to return to Kaltern. “After all, the work in agriculture doesn’t take care of itself,” he smiles. Despite his eight-year career in the far north, the goalkeeper still has a strong connection to his homeland. “I enjoy my time in South Tyrol, but I also feel really comfortable in Finland,” says Bernard, who will soon be starting his third season with first division club Porin Ässät. SportNews met the Kaltererer for an interview and spoke to him about... … his transfer and sporting path in Finland: “I came to Finland in May 2009. Jari Helle was a trainer in Bolzano at the time and acted as my intermediary, so to speak. I completed a trial training session with the SaiPa club and immediately received a contract - of course I took advantage of this opportunity. Getting along alone in a new country was a bit difficult at first. But over time I've settled in really well and things are going really well in terms of sport too.”

… Marco Insam’s move to Porin Ässät: “I had a bit of a hand in that. Before the Olympic qualification last September, I recommended that my goalkeeper coach (who is also the goalkeeper coach of the Italian national team, editor's note) to watch Marco. Marco then remained in his focus during this year's World Cup - after the World Cup the whole thing finally became concrete and an offer was made. For us in Pori, Marco can become an important player with his hard shot and his strengths in the power play. The fact that there is no longer any foreigner regulation in the Finnish league also helps him. I am sure that Marco will prevail with us, which is why I told him that the right time for a change is now.”

… the Italian national team: “I very much support the path that Stefan Mair has taken. We are now a young group that gets along well with each other and also has a lot of fun off the ice. What we can achieve sportingly in the next few years remains to be seen. If Italos are called up to the national team, they should also be strong enough to give the team a step up in quality. In the past it was sometimes the case that the Italos formed their own groups within the team - that is not conducive to performance on the ice.

… young local talents: “In Italy we have the problem that ice hockey is not structured professionally. Often it is not even clear whether the league you are playing in now will still exist next year. If a young player has the potential to play at international level, he should be given the chance to prove himself there. In my opinion, the Alps Hockey League is not the right league to develop in the best possible way. You can also see that in the national team: the jump from the AHL to the international level is too high – a week of preparation with the national team is not enough.”

... his brother Anton and the HCB Südtirol: “I talk to my brother Anton regularly and I always keep an eye on HC Bozen. The Bolzano team seems to be extremely strong this year, as a fan you can expect a lot.”

... his future career and a possible return to South Tyrol: “I want to play abroad for as long as possible. My contract with Porin Ässät runs until 2019 - but I'm always open to moving to another country. If a club from North America, Russia, Sweden or Switzerland came knocking, I would certainly be weak. I can't imagine a sporting future in South Tyrol at the moment, but I might end my career back home. When I’m no longer active, I’d like to return to South Tyrol – but I’m not thinking that far ahead at the moment.”

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Finland, Marco Insam & more: Andreas Bernard in an interview

National ice hockey goalkeeper and Finland legionnaire Andreas Bernard has been living his sporting dream for several years. The 27-year-old from Kalter has long since earned a regular place in the first Finnish league - and wants to continue his sporting career abroad for as long as possible.

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