Ice hockey in the blood: An HCB debutant with a big name

Well, who is this player? He has a robust and stately physique. He glides across the ice nimbly, passionately, refreshingly. He doesn't avoid the checks, but bravely throws himself into them. And although it seems as if this crack has been playing on this team forever, he differs significantly from his teammates in one respect. The simple number 12 stands out on the back of the jersey; you won't find a name. That's just how it is when a loan player is used at HC Bozen. In this case it was Pascal Brunner from HC Meran, who made his ICE debut on Tuesday against the Graz99ers, which was even described as a “dream debut” because of his convincing manner. “Everyone here welcomed me very well.” Pascal Brunner “It was very nice to play here. Of course it's a different level, but I tried to play along. It's great with the boys," said Brunner happily after the game, adding: "I've been training with the team since Sunday, so I knew that I would be able to play. Everyone here has welcomed me really well.” As a reward, the 1,88 meter tall attacker can also take part in the derby against Pustertal on Friday (19.45 p.m. in Bruneck).

Top training in Switzerland Pascal Brunner is only 20 years old, but he has already experienced a lot. Most recently, he played in Switzerland for six years, enjoyed a good education in the youth ranks in Davos and Bern, and also played in the second highest league for one season before returning to his hometown of Merano at the beginning of this season. There he not only works as a “barista” in his parents’ restaurant Saxifraga, as he reveals with a grin, but also plays really strong hockey.

Someone who doesn't hold back: Pascal Brunner (left) in the HC Meran jersey. © Sarah Mitterer

In 23 Alps Hockey League games, Brunner netted twelve times for his HC Meran and provided the preparatory work for ten more goals. These are strong numbers that have not only promoted the striker to the national team, but also to the big HC Bozen, where he seamlessly continued his performances in his guest appearance.

A moving family story It comes as no surprise that the youngster is blessed with plenty of puck talent. After all, he comes from the most famous ice hockey dynasty in Merano. A story that is moving. Brunner's father Markus was one of the best players in the country in the 90s. He was one of the first South Tyrolean cracks to make the leap to Canada, the motherland of ice hockey. He later played for HC Bozen and became Italian champion there, just as he did a little later with his hometown club Meran, which he led as captain to the last Serie A title in the club's history in 1999.

However, “Matchi” was also struck by a stroke of fate: in February 2005, during a match, an opponent's racket hit him so badly in the left eye that he lost his sight. At that time there was talk of the worst injury in local ice hockey history. Despite this handicap, Brunner returned to the ice and played a few more games.

But it's not just Pascal's father, who has great similarities to his son's sporting characteristics, who is a celebrity in South Tyrolean ice hockey. Grandpa Hansjörg was also an institution and influenced Meran ice hockey like no other. In his 28 years as club president, Hansjörg not only led the HCM to two Serie A championship titles, but also sparked a euphoria in the Passer city that had never existed before and would never exist again. He died in September 2020 at the age of 73.

Hansjörg Brunner would certainly have been proud if he had seen his grandson play in the Sparkasse Arena on Tuesday. Just as his father Markus should be proud that his son was able to get a taste of ICE air for the first time. Could Pascal Brunner imagine playing for HC Bozen in the future? “Yes,” the 20-year-old answers briefly and succinctly. If he continues to deliver like this, then the Foxes will have no way around him in the summer.

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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Ice hockey in the blood: An HCB debutant with a big name

It was a debut with an announcement. Pascal Brunner played his first ICE match with HC Bozen on Tuesday, impressed straight away and recommended himself for further tasks. A look at the past shows that this is by no means surprising – on the contrary.

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