HC Bozen fans are retiring four jersey numbers. © HC Bozen

HC Bozen honors its club legends

HCB Südtirol Alperia will pay special tribute to four of its club legends.

July 29, 2026

From: pm/dl

September 20, 2026, will be a date to mark in your calendar – a date no Foxes fan or supporter should miss. Before the ICEHL game against EC Red Bull Salzburg on the second matchday of the championship, a ceremony will take place to officially retire four jersey numbers. These belonged to players who have shaped the history of the Red and Whites: number 8, worn by Rolando "Rolly" Benvenuti; number 19, worn by Hubert Gasser; number 25, worn by Martin Pavlu; and number 4, worn by Robert Oberrauch.

Four numbers belonging to players and captains who, for many years, represented belonging, identity, and a special way of living and breathing hockey – a tradition that has shaped generations of fans. It was the fans themselves who, on the occasion of Legends Night on October 1, 2017, essentially "nominated" the numbers to be retired – including number 33. Gino Pasqualotto's jersey was, in fact, the first to reach the ceiling of the Eiswelle arena. The ceremony took place on February 24, 2019, just a few months before the great champion's untimely death.

McClure with Gasser number

The Sparkasse Arena is preparing for one of the most significant evenings of recent seasons. It will not only be a ceremony, but also an opportunity to publicly welcome back four protagonists who, with their numbers on their backs, have represented Bolzano both on and off the ice. At the same time, it will remind everyone – including the young fans – what it truly means to wear this jersey.

Four club legends of HC Bozen will be honored.

In the case of Hubert Gasser's number 19, currently worn by Brad McClure, the Canadian forward may continue to wear it for the remainder of his career in Bolzano. Once the number is no longer in use, it – like the other three numbers – will be retired.

The detailed program for the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. Many legendary figures will be honored, united by a common thread: the connection between HC Bozen's past and present. The club plans to induct further club legends into the Hall of Fame in the foreseeable future, including Alexander Egger (number 17).

Rolando “Rolly” Benvenuti #8

Rolando Benvenuti, a technically gifted striker, was born on September 28, 1950, and followed in the footsteps of his older brother Giancarlo, joining the first team at the age of 17. He remained with the club for 14 consecutive seasons (1967–1981), captaining them for the last six. During this time, he won four Italian league titles. He also represented Italy at eight World Cups: four in Group B and four in Group C.

Hubert “Hubi” Gasser #19

Hubert Gasser was born on November 16, 1953, the second of three brothers – Georg and Norbert, who was also captain of HC Bern and played 15 seasons for the club. He joined the first team in the 1970/71 season and remained there continuously until 1984/85. He captained the team for the last four years. A highly prolific scorer, he won no fewer than eight Italian championships during his 15 seasons with HC Bern. He also represented Switzerland at seven World Championships: three in Group B and four in Group C.

Martin Pavlu #25

Martin Pavlu, one of the most important forwards in the history of Italian ice hockey and an absolute HCB legend, was born on July 8, 1962, in Plzeň, then Czechoslovakia. Together with his father, Jaroslav – the "ice hockey father" of several generations of Bolzano players – he moved to Bolzano as a young child. He made his debut for HCB's first team in 1975 at the age of just 13 in a very friendly match against the Czechoslovakian team TJ Škoda Plzeň. Two years later, he began participating in more serious friendly matches. In 1978, at the age of 16, he was added to the team's roster, for which he went on to play 25 consecutive seasons – an absolute club record for HCB. He was captain for six of those years, until 2003. His achievements include twelve Italian championship titles (an HCB record), a Six Nations Cup, and an Alpine League title. With the national team, he participated in three Olympic Games (Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994, and Nagano 1998) and eleven World Championships, seven of which were in the top division.

Robert Oberrauch #4

"The Chief" was born on November 6, 1965, in Bolzano. As a young boy, he was led by the hand to the Palafiera arena on Via Rom by Gino Pasqualotto. He made his debut for the first team in the 1981/82 season. From the following season onward, he was a permanent member of the team. With a few short breaks, he spent a total of 16 years in the white and red jersey, ending his career in 1997/98 after seven seasons as captain. With HCB, he won eight Italian championships, a Six Nations Cup, and an Alpine League title. With the national team, he participated in three Olympic Games (Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994, and Nagano 1998) as well as ten World Championships, six of them in the top division. He also had the honor of wearing the "C" of the Italian national team captain from 1991 to 1998.