Patrick Bona, Sports Director of HC Pustertal. © Thomas Debelyak

Is the championship title now the goal, HC Pustertal?

HC Pustertal sparked immense euphoria last season, storming all the way to the ICE Hockey League final. Now the new season is just around the corner: What are the Wolves' goals?

August 24, 2026

What happened in Bruneck and the surrounding area last March and April is hard to describe. HC Pustertal played with incredible momentum, sending reigning champions Salzburg packing with a spectacular 4-0 series victory and storming all the way to the final. Only there did their run end against the Graz99ers. How is this dream season being assessed in the Pustertal region? And what's the motto for the upcoming winter?

sports director Patrick Bona cost SportNews He answered questions and spoke about…


… the character that makes up his team:

"Mentality and fitness are our foundation. In recent years, we often had players who were just playing around, meaning: if we win, we win; if we lose, we lose. That changed last season. Our roster consists largely of players in their prime who still want to achieve something in their careers. Who's the star of the team? Our goalie, Eddie Pasquale. He's the first one in and the last one out every day. To still have that kind of mentality and work ethic at his age (35, ed. note) is something I've never experienced before."


… the word “master”, which is no longer a utopia in the Puster Valley:

"First of all: We are aware that it will be anything but easy to repeat last season, especially since the league has become even stronger. We have a minimum goal, and that is the quarterfinals. The playoffs are now a must. But of course, we've now had a taste of the top, and we've seen that we're not far off. And therefore, yes: We're starting this year to have a say in the fight for the championship title."

The big star at HC Pustertal: Eddie Pasquale. © HCP/I. Foppa

… the departures of renowned players such as Jon Blum, Mikael Frycklund, Nick Saracino or Rok Ticar:

"Generally speaking, we've pursued a clear strategy in the transfer market this year: we want our team to play with even more speed. Accordingly, we've focused our squad planning on this aspect. Take Frycklund, for example: he has great qualities and is perhaps technically better than other players in our squad – but he no longer fit our playing style."


… the contract extensions of last season's foreign stars such as Cole Bardreau, Henry Bowlby, Austin Rueschhoff or Austin Osmanski:

"The cool thing about the whole thing is that we were able to confirm these players even before last year's playoffs began. For them, leaving was never an option – that's a great sign in my opinion. The players really live for the club, for example Austin Osmanski: he likes it here so much that he would have preferred to stay the whole summer."

The Pusterer Wolves are aiming for a rocking season. © HCP/I. Foppa

… the three foreign newcomers David Farrance, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Gerry Fitzgerald:

"As mentioned before, we tried to bring even more speed and power to our team. Defenseman Farrance is a player of a good age who scored a lot of points in Finland. In my opinion, he has what it takes to become one of the best defensemen in the league. Forward Fitzgerald is simply a superb skater, and when you consistently score between 30 and 40 points in the second Swedish league, that says something. Fontaine is a powerful forward with good skills who is playing in Europe for the first time: he's a bit of a wild card."

"I can proudly say that we were number 1 in South Tyrolean ice hockey last year." Patrick Bona

… the ice hockey euphoria in the Puster Valley:

“We know that the Puster Valley audience is passionate and loyal. However, we are now also pleased to welcome many people from outside Bruneck. Fans come to our arena from Brixen, Vinschgau, Überetsch, and even from East Tyrol and Innsbruck. We are also particularly delighted that an ice hockey portal has chosen us as the most welcoming stadium.”


… the question of whether Pustertal is now number 1 in South Tyrolean ice hockey:

"I can proudly say that we were number 1 last season. I don't know if it will be the same next year, but that is certainly our goal."