Erich Falkensteiner knows how to motivate his Puster Valley players. © Iwan Foppa

Falkensteiner to his wolves: "Make yourselves immortal"

The tension is rising, the anticipation is palpable: In Bruneck, the hottest time of the year begins now – at the start of March. HC Pustertal kicks off the playoffs! Club president Erich Falkensteiner is preparing his Wolves for memorable ice hockey nights that will decide the outcome of the entire season.

March 06, 2026

For weeks they fought, sweated, and calculated. Now it's finally here: the moment everything has been building towards. When the ice becomes the stage for everything or nothing. When it's no longer about points, but about honor and glory. Now every shift counts double. Every shot can make history, and every save can salvage a season. Now the entire Puster Valley is gripped by playoff fever.

One person who has long been gripped by this fever is Erich Falkensteiner. He is the president and, with his hotel group, also the namesake of HC Falkensteiner Pustertal. SportNews I reached him by phone at the company headquarters in Vienna. "Today it's still work, but next week everything will revolve around ice hockey for me. I'm as excited as a little kid."

"Now comes the cherry on top. Let's enjoy it." HCP President Erich Falkensteiner

Falkensteiner has been the club's president for almost five years, leading the Wolves to the ICE Hockey League. He now aims to take his club to the semifinals for the second time. "It would be a dream," said the 67-year-old from Ehrenburg, adding immediately: "We've already achieved that goal. Now comes the icing on the cake. Let's just enjoy it."

Ticket sales begin

The stated goal was a top-six finish. "That's where HC Pustertal needs to be, that's where we want to establish ourselves," said Falkensteiner, who is keen to remain grounded. "In the fall, when we were at the top of the table, some people here started to dream – yes, myself included from time to time. But we have to take it one step at a time." The next step is the quarterfinals. And it might just be HC Bolzano.

In Bruneck, they're dreaming of a quarter-final against Bolzano. © Iwan Foppa

Dieter Knoll, the club boss of the arch-rival, spoke in a SportNews interview It's an absolute dream matchup. His counterpart in Bruneck agrees. "It's hard to imagine the hype this derby would generate," says Falkensteiner. One fact supports his theory: By Friday morning, HCP had sold around 1.000 tickets for their first home quarterfinal game next Thursday – without even knowing who their opponent is. That will be determined immediately after the last pre-playoff game on Friday or Sunday evening.

"The rivalry runs through both clubs. But it's a healthy rivalry." HCP President Erich Falkensteiner

It is highly likely that Pustertal will face either Bolzano or Salzburg in Tuesday's quarterfinals. "Both are incredibly strong opponents," says Falkensteiner, who nevertheless prefers an "electrifying duel" with the two-time champions from the provincial capital. While the fan bases are fiercely opposed, the two clubs maintain a constructive dialogue, according to the HCP president. "Of course, the rivalry runs through both clubs. But it's a healthy rivalry. When it comes to league matters, Pustertal and Bolzano pull together."

President, sponsor, and fan all rolled into one: Erich Falkensteiner. © Michael Ranalter

Whether it's Bolzano, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, or Graz – whoever takes to the ice for Pustertal from now on isn't just playing against the opponent, but also against their own limits. Pain is ignored, fatigue is pushed aside. "I hope everyone understands that," said Falkensteiner, who himself addressed his players with an appeal: "I said: 'Go out there and make yourselves immortal.' In the playoffs, you have the chance to become legends here in the valley." Do the Wolves need any further motivation? Hardly! Now it's up to the players to turn Falkensteiner's words into action.