Pustertal President: “We want to stabilize and establish ourselves”

In the second part of the big interview, Pustertal President Erich Falkensteiner gives an outlook on the coming season, talks about the goals, the budget, the World Cup in Finland and the participants in the upcoming ICEHL season.

With Stefan Mair, your dream coach will have the say on the bench for the next three years. What hopes do you have for him?

Erich Falkensteiner: “We had been in close contact with Stefan for some time. We are all convinced of him. After all, he is a true professional. He has his own mind and goes his own way. I am convinced that we can have long-term success with him. The first year was to get a taste of the league and understand it. In the next 3 years we want to stabilize and establish ourselves.”

The HCP's squad planning is already well advanced. So far, 14 players are already under contract. Are you satisfied with the transfer activities so far?

“I am very satisfied and have complete trust in our sports director, trainer and scout, who together are closely monitoring and analyzing the market. I won't get involved because I have other tasks. I think we are taking a different path than last season. The team has become younger because modern ice hockey is faster. The aim is to bring in young and hungry players.”

Pustertal President Erich Falkensteiner.

Will there also be a farm team next season?

“The Wipptal Broncos will continue to be our partner. But we want to improve cooperation, which recently left something to be desired. The plan is to hire a dedicated person who will look after around 10 players who can move back and forth between Vipiteno and Brunico.”

Do you think that more spectators will come to the Intercable Arena from autumn – assuming there are no longer any Corona regulations?

“That depends on the overall economic situation in the country and our sporting success. I hope that we can increase the number of season ticket holders to 800 and last year's average attendance by 20 percent to around 1800. I can already say one thing in advance: the admission prices will be almost unchanged. We all know that times are not easy and costs will continue to rise.”

“Getting into the semi-finals would be a dream.” Erich Falkensteiner

A year ago, in a “Dolomites” interview, you stated that you were aiming for a top 6 place and were ridiculed for it. In the end it was 5th place after the basic round. What is your goal for 2022/23?

“We know that we lack the opportunity to win the championship. But we want to reach the play-offs again and survive the first round. Reaching the semi-finals would be a dream.”

The idea of a youth academy has recently been making the rounds in Bruneck. Will it become a reality at some point?

“I strongly believe so. Our Vice President Dorotea Mader has almost finished the concept for a young talent academy. Now it's about implementation. For now, we will start with individual camps in Bruneck, led by qualified trainers. The goal is to contest an international youth championship in the 2023/24 season. Because we currently lack accommodation for the players in Bruneck, it is not impossible that we will start the first season in Vipiteno, as the conditions are better there. I would like to say one thing clearly: The academy is not just a project for the Pustertal, but for the whole of South Tyrol and also northern Italy.”

Italy is currently fighting relegation at the World Cup in Helsinki. How closely are you following the title fights in Finland?

“I saw a few games. Although Italy played well for the most part, we are still far away from the world's best. In any case, there is still a lot of catching up to do.”

With Daniel Glira, Ivan Deluca, Matthias Mantinger and Dante Hannoun, four of last year's cracks from HC Pustertal are also in the Italy squad. Simon Berger was left out of the squad at the last moment. Were you surprised or disappointed about it?

“It’s not my place to interfere in the lineup. But it would be wrong if I, as President of the HCP, were not disappointed about Simon being sidelined: I certainly think he is a good player.”

Italy's ice sports association has announced that, with a view to the 2026 Olympic Games in its own country, it will bring several dual nationals to Italy and divide them among the clubs that it wants to support financially so that they can play for the national team in 4 years. Will HC Pustertal use this?

“First of all, I would like to see the list of potential players. I won't say anything about it before that. Just this much: it is questionable whether it is the right path.”

With Feldkirch, the 13th club was admitted to the ICEHL on Wednesday. What do you think about that?

“I basically have nothing against Feldkirch, as a team from Vorarlberg is good for the league. But I am in favor of an even number of participants. It doesn’t matter to me whether Asiago or Jesenice will be the 14th team.”

Interview: Kurt Platter

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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Pustertal President: “We want to stabilize and establish ourselves”

HC Pustertal has been working towards the second season in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL) for weeks. The “Wolves” were convincing across the board last winter and want to take the next step from September. Here you can find the second part of the big interview with President Erich Falkensteiner.

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