Shane Gersich (right/with teammate Nathan Walker) has already won the Stanley Cup.

The new guy comes to Bolzano with the Stanley Cup

After signing coach Kurt Kleinendorst, HCB Südtirol Alperia is working on a strong roster for the upcoming ICE Hockey League season. The Foxes have now landed a big fish – one that's even lifted the Stanley Cup.

June 05, 2025

From: cst

28 years old, experience from top leagues, physically robust and a real point collector, who has already lifted the most coveted trophy in world ice hockey. The references that Shane Gersich brings with him to Bolzano are impressive.

Last season, the offensive player, who can play on the wing or as a center, played with the Iserlohn Roosters in the DEL. Gersich scored 37 points (16 goals + 21 assists) in 51 league games, but the club still missed the playoffs.

Shane Gerich in the Iserlohn Roosters jersey. © Iserlohn Roosters/Jonas Brockmann 

Before his Germany assignment, the American from Chaska, Minnesota, played for Västeras in the Swedish Allsvenskan. Scandinavia was his first European stop, having previously held a leadership role in the AHL with the Hershey Bears (the Washington Capitals' farm team).

Stanley Cup victory with Ovechkin

Gersich grew up playing for college teams in Omaha and North Dakota. In 2014, he was drafted in the fifth round by the Washington Capitals. In 2018, Gersich finally made his NHL debut for the Capitals alongside superstar Alexander Ovechkin. The striker – who at the time was only slated to play for the college team – played three games in the league and twice in the playoffs, recording one assist. At the end of this fabulous season, the Capitals won the Stanley Cup. Gersich received The Washington Post an article entitled “From Schoolboy to Stanley Cup Winner.”

“The larger field allows me to use my speed” Shane Gersich

Now his path leads him to Bolzano, where he is the second summer signing after Bryce Misley from Asiago. "I chose Bolzano because it's a team that has the potential to win the title every year," explains Gersich. "Two years ago, in my first season in Europe, it took me about fifteen games to find my best game: The larger field allows me to better utilize my speed and understanding of the game."

The current squad of HC Bozen:

Gate: Sam Harvey

Defense: Dylan Di Perna, Scott Valentine

Attack: Dustin Gazley, Daniel Mantenuto, Brad McClure, Matt Bradley, Bryce Misley (new), Shane Gersich (new)