Coach Antti Karhula is expected to bring a breath of fresh air to HC Bozen. © HK Olimpija

Karhula with a clear message to Bolzano: "Pressure is a privilege"

Antti Karhula knows what awaits him in Bolzano: high pressure, ambitious goals, and a team with clear title aspirations. The new HCB coach accepts the challenge – and simultaneously announces his intention to put his stamp on the Foxes' offensive game.

August 03, 2026

From: fop

Antti Karhula had been in contact with HC Bolzano several times in recent years – now it has finally worked out. The 50-year-old is taking over at the Foxes and can hardly wait for the start. "I am overjoyed that it has finally worked out," says Karhula. "HCB is one of the best teams in the ICEHL and Bolzano is a wonderful place to live."

The coach knows the league extremely well and has faced Bolzano as an opponent on several occasions. One thing in particular impressed him. "The team was always very well-structured defensively," Karhula explained in a club statement. He intends to maintain this aspect – while simultaneously introducing his own style to provide new impetus. "My mentality is also strongly focused on attacking build-up play and the further development of this area," the Finn announced.

"There is nothing I enjoy more than coaching." Antti Karhula

Karhula expects an ICE season that is becoming increasingly balanced. "While previously there were only a few select teams that could compete for the title, the number of contenders is now significantly larger."

The task: to integrate young people

The development of young players will also play a key role at HCB. Karhula is already familiar with the combination of experienced players and talented youngsters from his time at Fehérvár and Ljubljana. "This is exactly the kind of work I enjoy," he says. The experienced players should lead by example, while the youngsters should "be curious, learn new things, and work hard."

Antti Karhula has previously worked for ICE in Székesfehérvár and Ljubljana. © ICEHL / GEPA/C. Moser

And the pressure in Bolzano? No problem for Karhula. Quite the opposite: "There's nothing I enjoy more than coaching. Pressure is a privilege." He has to appreciate it and use it to his advantage, "to motivate himself, improve, and do a good job." The message from the new HCB coach is clear: Maintain defensive stability, improve offensively – and use the pressure as motivation.

The Bolzano squad for the 2026/27 season:

Gate: Louis Domingue (new), Marco Costantini (new)

Defense: Enrico Larcher (confirmed), Carmine Buono (new), Teemu Kivihalme (new), Noah Frick (new), Zac Leslie (new), Blake Hillman (new), Jackson van de Leest (new)

Attack: Brad McClure (confirmed), Cole Schneider (confirmed), Cristiano DiGiacinto (confirmed), Dustin Gazley (confirmed), Matt Bradley (confirmed), Luca Frigo (confirmed), Daniel Mantenuto (confirmed), Bryce Misley (confirmed), Daniel Gellon (new), Isaac Ratcliffe (new), Nicolò Remolato (new), Turner Elson (new), Jakob Fuchs (new)

Trainer: Antti Karhula (Head Coach/new), Fabio Armani (Assistant Coach/confirmed), Daniel Goller (Goalkeeper Coach/confirmed)