Pustertal's Nick Saracino is competing for Italy at the Milan Olympics. © HC Pustertal

Italy's ICE players and the problem with the Olympics

Before the last South Tyrolean ICE derby of the regular season between HCB Südtirol Alperia and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, both teams are struggling with a common problem: the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan, which are on the minds of many players.

29 January 2026

From: dl

The 2026 Olympics in Milan are a major highlight in the careers of many ice hockey players. Italy will be competing there starting February 11th. The Blue Team faces tough matches against Sweden, Slovakia, Finland, and in the subsequent knockout game for a place in the quarterfinals, but of course, every nominated player wants to be there. In total, there are 15 players from HC Bozen and HC Pustertal, with Markus Lauridsen representing Denmark.

Seven Wolves players (Greg Di Tomaso, Mikael Frycklund, Daniel Glira, Lauridsen, Tommy Purdeller, Nick Saracino, Luca Zanatta) and eight Foxes players (Matt Bradley, Cristiano Di Giacinto, Dylan Di Perna, Luca Frigo, Dustin Gazley, Daniel Mantenuto, Jason Seed and Gianluca Vallini) are nominated for the games and certainly don't want to get injured. Furthermore, both teams have already qualified for the ICE Hockey League playoffs.

Daniel Mantenuto from Bolzano is also competing at the Olympics in Milan. © Vanna Antonello

Therefore, a little more caution than usual might be advised at Sunday's derby in the Sparkasse Arena. Intriguingly, the national team players of both sides will be training at the same location the morning after the clash of the arch-rivals, preparing for the Olympics. Italy is kicking off its Olympic preparations in Bolzano.

The HCP players even have two more matches on the schedule before the games. This Friday, HC Pustertal hosts Villacher SV and aims to make amends for their humiliating 1-7 defeat against Graz.

Friday's ICE Games:

Graz99ers – Pioneers Vorarlberg (18.30)
Vienna Capitals – HC Innsbruck (19.15)
Olimpija Ljubljana – Red Bull Salzburg
HC Pustertal – Villacher SV (19.45 p.m.)