HCB goalie Leland Irving provides deep insights

The father of three has already celebrated 5 shut-outs this year and is currently considered the best goalie in the ICE Hockey League. He was happy to come back to Bolzano and is playing his third season for the “Foxes” this year. HCB sports director Dieter Knoll put together a great team - it wasn't difficult for him to return.

“I just feel very comfortable in Überetsch, where I live. Me and my family like it in South Tyrol. Bolzano has a strong team again and I'm happy to be here again. “After all, we want to win the championship title,” explains Irving why he is playing for HCB Südtirol again. Ireland is tough but fair Last but not least, he is happy to be able to continue playing under coach Greg Ireland: “The coach is tough but fair. We train intensively, he demands a lot, but also gives a lot and shows his passion for ice hockey every day.”

Last year, Corona put a stop to the attempt to win the title. Bolzano was leading 3-0 against Znojmo in the quarter-finals before everything was called off. “Corona surprised everyone badly. In the fall we had a difficult situation. The three weeks in quarantine in the fall were a tough time for me and my family. Luckily we're all doing well again. But caution is always advised,” Irving also knows. Ashley and 3 daughters In 2006, the Canadian was drafted number 26 in the first round and played 13 NHL games for the Calgary Flames. He then worked in the AHL, Finland and the KHL. Irving has already mentioned why he guards the goal at HCB for less money than in these top leagues.

Irving is one of the best goalies in the league.

In his free time, Irving goes on hikes and trips to the lake with his wife Ashley and their daughters Halle (3rd grade of elementary school in Girlan), Brooklyn (1st grade) and Brynn (kindergarten). In winter? “I enrolled the children at the ski club in Nova Ponente. On Saturday I watch them train if there isn’t a game or a trip coming up,” explains the goalie. Golf and mountain biking His hobbies also include playing golf and mountain biking. But his family is always in the foreground. Irving found new friends in Girlan and South Tyrol. “Everyone is very nice to us, the children like it. The food is excellent, we have a really nice time here,” enthuses Irving. “Now the crucial weeks are coming.” Leland Irving That is probably one of the reasons for the keeper's excellent performance. “There is a lot of talent in our team and there is a great team spirit. We want to play for the title. “But there are tough opponents in Klagenfurt, Fehervar, Salzburg and Vienna,” says the Canadian. It is important to keep the form Will Irving be able to maintain his outstanding form? “There's nothing wrong with it, I hope so and I'll keep trying. Now the crucial weeks are coming,” says the almost 33-year-old. Staying in Bolzano is also not ruled out. Irving with a smile: “Everything is possible.” As a Canadian boy, he dreamed of the NHL and his dream has come true: “The NHL is a dream destination for every Canadian boy.” Carey Price, the goalie of the Montreal Canadiens who is only eight months older , he knows personally and values him very much. “Price is really strong, but there are a lot of excellent goaltenders in the NHL.” A “normal” goalie Goalies are repeatedly called “crazy dogs”. Irving can also laugh about it: “I've heard that many times and I know some of them too, without naming names. But there are also strange strikers. However, there are many more completely normal, calm types. I also belong to this category.” Personal Leland Irving was born on April 11, 1988 in Barrhead, Canada. The goalie is 1,83 meters tall (80 kilograms). Irving played for Canada U18 and U20. Irving wore the jersey of the following teams: Everett Silvertips (WHL), Quad City Flames (AHL), Abbotsford Heat (AHL), Victoria Slamon Kings (ECHL), Calgary Flames (NHL), Jokerit and KooKoo (Finland), Salavat Yulaew Ufa ( KHL), Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL), San Diego Gulls (AHL), since 2018/19: HCB Südtirol.

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
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

HCB goalie Leland Irving provides deep insights

Goalkeeper Leland Irving shows great performances in the jersey of leaders HCB Südtirol. He feels right at home at the club, in Bolzano and in South Tyrol in general. His calm, likeable nature makes him a crowd favorite - even in times without fans in the stadium.

Suggestions

Comments (0)