HCB coach Glen Hanlon: “I’m not interested in money”

Stefan Mair (55) recently worked abroad for 9 years and is coming back to Bruneck with new ice hockey knowledge. While working in the ICE for the first time, former NHL coach Glen Hanlon (65) moved from Znojmo to Bolzano. Here they explain how the engagements came about and how emotional the coming season will be for them. Stefan Mair, how does it feel to be back in Bruneck? Stefan Mair: “It feels really good to be here again. On the one hand, I personally feel very comfortable in the Pustertal, and on the other hand, you can work really well here. With this new infrastructure, the arena, the video room, the fitness department and much more, it is a lot of fun to do his job.” How have you settled in, Mr Hanlon? Glen Hanlon: “I haven't really been able to settle in yet. But I already know a little about South Tyrol from my guest appearances as Znojmo coach last year. The people here are very open and approachable, Bolzano is a great city with a wonderful environment. But I was particularly impressed by the mountains around our training camp in Corvara.” “My goal was actually to make it to the highest Swiss league.” Stefan Mair What was the deciding factor when choosing a club, or to put it another way: What were you lured with? Mair: “I have to be completely honest: my goal was actually to make it to the top Swiss league this summer. An engagement with Langnau did not materialize due to unfortunate timing circumstances. After six years in the Swiss League, I really wanted to get to know a new championship, so the interest from HC Pustertal came at the right time. There are a lot more foreigners playing on the ICE than in Switzerland, which will be a new kind of work for me. I’m really looking forward to this challenge.” Hanlon: “I’m a European now and don’t want to go back to North America (laughs). No seriously, I feel very comfortable here, I love the lifestyle of Europeans, their languages and culture. You learn to appreciate everything more as you get older. I don't care about the money. Of course you want to get paid for your work, but I'm not looking at which club I can get a few more dollars from. What counts when choosing a job is the relationship with the club's top management, ambitions, the people around you, the quality of life - and, last but not least, your gut feeling." Is there anything you didn't expect about your new job? Hanlon: “I got opinions about the Italian players from various sources in advance, I already knew many of them from last season. However, I have to admit that I'm still impressed with the passion with which players like Daniel Frank and Luca Frigo approach things here. These are real role models.” Mair: “I was surprised by everything going on here. In Switzerland you are used to the highest standards, ice hockey is really lived there. But the all-round care offered to the players in Bruneck is in no way inferior. Just how the search for accommodation for the foreign players was carried out, how many people got involved and how many levers were put into motion here in the club environment within a short time, impressed me.” “I know how important the duels between Bolzano and Pustertal are.” Glen Hanlon Stefan Mair, when was your last contact with HC Bozen? Mair: “With Dieter Knoll ( HCB sports director, editor’s note ) I was and am in regular contact. In the past he has obtained one or two pieces of expertise or a player report from me. In the summer of 2021 there was loose interest in installing me as a coach in Bolzano, but at that time I was still under contract with Thurgau. I correctly informed him last winter about the first contact with HC Pustertal. After that, it took some time before we heard each other again, in the meantime I had already agreed to go to Bruneck.” Have you, Glen Hanlon, been linked to other teams this summer? Hanlon: “Of course there were one or two interested parties. But as I explained at the beginning, I really wanted to stay in Europe - and ideally in this league. I know a lot of players here and know what type of ice hockey is played. When the discussions with HC Bozen became concrete, my decision was made quickly.” Stefan Mair, you have already worked in Bolzano yourself. Is there anything you would like to give your fellow trainers? Mair: “Bolzano is not an easy place. The fans and those around them have little patience for supporting the development of a team. The pressure to succeed is enormous, you are literally doomed to win. That's why, in my opinion, the HCB also needs an experienced trainer. Glen is certainly the right man in the gang, I don’t have to give him any tips.” Hand on heart, are you now a real Pusterer or are you still deeply attached to your hometown of Bolzano? Mair: “I knew this question would come (laughs). As a player, I never played for HC Bozen. I wasn't good enough for that, I have to admit that. I left the state capital at the age of 21 and have been traveling through the ice hockey world ever since, so I don't have this close connection to Bolzano. However, I have to say that the derbies as Pustertal coach in Serie A really captivated me emotionally; they were special games. Since I've been abroad for years recently, that has subsided somewhat (smiles)." Have you already gotten to know each other? Mair: “No, we haven’t met yet. But I know Glen's background and I know that he has gained experience in the best leagues in the world. He is a coach who places a lot of value on structured defensive work.” Hanlon: “Of course you find out about your fellow coach and try to understand how he makes his team perform. We will definitely get to know each other better as the season progresses. I know how important the duels between Bolzano and Pustertal are in this region and I’m really looking forward to it.” On Thursday you will read in the second part of the big coach talk what direction Glen Hanlon and Stefan Mair give their teams, how they assess each other and what the bitter and beautiful moments of their careers have been so far.

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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HCB coach Glen Hanlon: “I’m not interested in money”

With Stefan Mair and Glen Hanlon, HC Pustertal and HC Bozen have brought two strong characters into their fold this summer. We met with the two ice hockey experts and asked them to give a big coaching talk.

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