The HCB certificate: All master players in the individual evaluation

By Alexander Foppa

goalkeeper Pekka Tuokkola: 8,5 With his sensational performances in the playoffs, he led the HCB to the championship title. Some uncertainties in the regular season and the intermediate round lowered his grade a little. Pekka Tuokkola © APA

Jake Smith: 6 Even in his second year in Bozen, Jake Smith had to be content with the backup role. This season he has had three different number ones placed in front of him. Nevertheless, he was always there when he was needed. Verteidiger Robin Gartner: 8 The Swede with the turtleneck shirt is not just an elegant ice skater, but an all-round defender. In the post season he excelled with four goals and seven assists.

Matt Tomassoni: 8 The season began with many bad passes and mistakes, but under Kai Suikkanen the HCB returnee became an absolute top performer. Together with Gartner, he formed a congenial defensive duo.

Alexander Egger: 9,5 Last season was his best. The lack of speed, which cannot be blamed on a 38-year-old, he made up for with outstanding positional play and physical presence. His finishing skills, his stick handling and his leadership personality are undisputed and contributed significantly to the championship title. The gap that Egger leaves in the squad cannot be closed. Alexander Egger © Vanna Antonello

Daniel Glira: 6,5 The 24-year-old from Dobbiaco didn't have an easy time in his second EBEL year. However, when Stefano Marchetti was injured in the decisive playoff games, he was there and stood his ground with solid performances. Chris Carlisle: 7 The young US boy continued to learn the ropes at the beginning of his first European adventure, but became more consistent as the season progressed. You could usually rely on him.

Matt Clark: 7,5 With the return of the Canadian, who had been injured for a long time, things started to look up for the Foxes. An accident? No reason, because with his solid, physical style of play he gave the entire defense the necessary stability. The only thing he could have saved was a few penalties in important moments of the game. Clark staying in Bolzano would be a gift to the fans. Mat Clark © Vanna Antonello

Stefano Marchetti: 7 The defensive specialist didn't score a goal and was rarely noticeable, but he impressed with solid performances and exceptional consistency throughout the season. He immediately demonstrated his EBEL suitability. His signing turned out to be a stroke of luck for HC Bozen. striker Mike Halmo: 8,5 The 26-year-old winger is endowed with incredible talent. Nobody drives the checks as skillfully as Halmo, nobody has a similar feel for the puck or makes the opposing defenders freeze with fear like that. Halmo just lacks the necessary consistency and the absolute killer instinct. But even so, it will hardly be possible to keep him in Bolzano. Mike Halmo © Vanna Antonello

Domenic Mondardo: 7 He often proved to be the man of important goals and was always there in difficult moments. The Canadian always put himself at the service of the team and also worked at the back as a winger. If Halmo often shone, it was also because Oleksuk and Monardo were at his side as hard-working helpers.

Viktor Schweitzer: 6 The Niederdorfer was called up 70 times in his debut year in the EBEL, but he rarely went beyond the joker role. But when he was allowed to play, he showed little respect and played bravely. That gives hope for the future.

Angelo Miceli: 7 The 24-year-old came to Bolzano in late autumn, when the championship was well underway. Nevertheless, he didn't need any time to get used to it, he was involved in the game straight away and characterized it with his quick starts and his overview on the ice.

Travis Oleksuk: 7 He is the “Mister Reliable” that every coach wants. A hard worker with a complete game, always there at key moments. Oleksuk is rarely noticeable, but is always present on the ice. Travis Oleksuk © Vanna Antonello

Michele Marchetti: 6 The 23-year-old has all the requirements to be able to compete long-term in the EBEL. However, he did not show them regularly. Probably also a reason why he rarely got a chance in the season finale. If he remains patient and willing to learn, the future at HCB belongs to him.

Mike Angelidis: 7 The long-time AHL crack with NHL experience was unable to come close to meeting the expectations placed on him for much of the regular season. However, with his leadership personality, he was never an integral part of the team structure. In the decisive phase of the season, he finally showed his full class on the ice, impressing with his passion and fighting spirit.

Chris DeSousa: 8 He is the enfant terrible at HC Bozen. The center goes where it hurts, doesn't shy away from a duel and at the same time he has an enormous overview, can let opponents out and on top of that has the necessary coolness in front of the opponent's goal. With 25 goals, he was Bolzano's top scorer. Chris De Sousa © APA

Austin Smith: 6,5 The two-faced goalscorer will forever remain a mystery in Bolzano. Even within the club, hardly anyone could see through him. He was out injured for a long time, later seemed like a foreign figure in the team and appeared like a moody diva both on and off the ice. On the other hand, he also demonstrated his accuracy in Bolzano and was - when he played - a sniper who only had to be fed with passes.

Matias Sointu: 7 He is not the man who is in the spotlight, neither scores goals like a conveyor belt, nor plays dizzying opposing defenses or skillfully sets up teammates. And yet: The Finn was a constant source of trouble with his commitment and an important player in Kai Suikkanen's system.

Alex Petan: 8,5 The 2018 championship title will forever be associated with the name Alex Petan. He literally single-handedly shot HC Bozen through the playoffs with eight goals. His total of 24 goals and 31 assists speak volumes: top scorer Petan was the most dangerous HCB man last season. Alex Petan © Vanna Antonello

Luca Frigo: 6,5 The striker from Turin scored in the decisive 2-1 win in Vienna and also in the masterful 3-2 in Salzburg's Volksgarten. In doing so, he allowed himself to forget a season in which he was rarely able to fully convince personally.

Anton Bernard: 7 Similar to Frigo, Bernard was also behind his best form for a long time, although this was also due to a week-long injury break. Just in time for the start of the playoffs, the Kalterer finally reached his best form, scored five goals and became an integral part of the team. The team that he will probably lead onto the ice as captain next season.

Daniel Frank: 7 Under Pat Curcio, the striker from Meran was repeatedly used in the first two attacking blocks, and Suikkanen finally moved him to the fourth line. Wherever and whenever: Frank could be relied on at any time. He may not have the playful, skating quality of Bernard, but he is no less valuable to the team because of his physical presence and commitment. Daniel Frank © Vanna Antonello

Markus Gander: 6 It wasn't the year of Markus Gander. He spent a long time searching for his form and then, just when he seemed to be getting into the swing of things, he broke his jaw making a heroic save in front of his own goal. It was his last appearance in the championship year. Trainer Kai Suikkanen: 9,5 He is the architect of the Bolzano master title. A man of clear words who convinces players with his straightforward manner. From the chaos team left behind by his predecessor Pat Curcio, he formed a tight-knit group with a clear playful orientation. Sure, his classic Finnish defensive game proved to be the key to success against overwhelming opponents, but Suikkanen didn't limit himself to that. He developed the best penalty killing in the entire league and formed harmonious offensive blocks. The fact that he led the team from the bottom of the table to the championship title is anything but a coincidence. Kai Suikkanen © APA / EXPA/JFK

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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The HCB certificate: All master players in the individual evaluation

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