Daniel Frank: From almost retiring to captain

Daniel Frank's career in recent years is more than remarkable. For a long time he paid a lot of money at HC Bozen and was always on the fence in the squad planning. But now the 27-year-old has become an integral part of the Foxes and the national team. Much more: With passion, a healthy dose of winning mentality and improved sporting qualities, he has promoted himself to the role of a leader in both teams. This has now been rewarded with the captaincy of the Blue Team. However, everything could have turned out differently.

To explain, let's turn the wheel back in time by around nine months: At the national team's summer training camp in Neumarkt last August, Frank considered ending his career with the national team. The reasons were the strain of the long seasons in the ICE Hockey League, including the long away trips, and the job in the own ice cream parlor in Meran, where there is a lot of activity during the major tournaments in late spring. The decision seemed to have already been made, even though Frank appreciated his time in the national team. “I always wore this jersey with pride and made many friends in the national team,” he said back then.

Of course, the commitment and joy that Frank conveyed to the Blue Team did not go unnoticed by those responsible. And so head coach Greg Ireland and sports director Stefan Zisser didn't need to use much persuasion over the past few months to convince the Merano native of the World Cup project. Already during the World Cup preparations it became clear that Frank would not only be there, but would also take on a key role. In the Azzurri's severely reduced squad in the test against France, the HCB striker ended up wearing the "C" on his chest - temporarily. “Daniel embodies leadership” Head coach Greg Ireland Frank's first appearance as captain left a strong impression on the sporting leadership. “We consciously wanted to give him responsibility. “He did well and underlined his claim to a leadership role,” said Zisser after Frank’s premiere SportNews . Now Ireland has given him the honorary position for the entire World Cup. He explains the decision as follows: “The choice was not easy for the coaching team and me. But Daniel embodies exactly the leadership and character traits that the team needs in this phase.” Frank has two old acquaintances at his side as assistants: his club colleague Luca Frigo and the former HCB striker Alex Petan.

With the newly assigned roles, the Azzurri began their first training sessions in Riga on Tuesday and Wednesday. These were led by Giorgio De Bettin and Fabio Armani, who represented Ireland at the start of the World Cup. The head coach is still in South Tyrol and will only travel after he has recovered from the corona infection - as will goalkeeper Jake Smith, defenders Thomas Larkin, Enrico Miglioranzi, Alex Trivellato and striker Markus Gander. The Azzurri will kick off the World Cup on Friday (from 15.15:XNUMX p.m.). SportNews ticker) against Germany.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Klagenfurt	47	183:101	102
2. Fehervar	46	146:126	89
3. Salzburg	46	142:107	87
4. HCB South Tyrol	46	137:125	76
5. Linz	46	146:116	75
6. Villach	46	155:136	74
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Daniel Frank: From almost retiring to captain

Italy's ice sports association announced the new captain of the national team on Wednesday afternoon. It is Daniel Frank, of all people, who had actually already closed the Ice Hockey World Championship chapter. He is now the big leader in Riga.

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