Pustertal on the ICE: “There is a spirit of optimism”

“I have the feeling that there is a spirit of optimism in the Pustertal – and that makes me happy,” says Jochen Schenk after the good news from the ICE headquarters overjoyed. “We've been getting phone calls and WhatsApp messages all afternoon. Now it’s up to us to make the most of this good atmosphere.”

Schenk, who is the executive board member of the HCP, which is currently without a president, presented the application to the ICE clubs via video conference for five minutes on Wednesday afternoon together with club legend Patrick “Patza” Kirchler, after which the clubs voted. At 16.17:XNUMX p.m. it was clear: HC Pustertal will play in the ICE Hockey League in the future.

Jochen Schenk, what went through your mind when you heard the good news?

Schenk: “First of all, we weren’t at all prepared to get an answer today. When we heard it, we were very happy. And we are also a bit proud that our serious work has also been noticed by the ICE in recent years. Whether you get accepted doesn't depend on a five-minute video conference. The presidents inform themselves. We are happy that we have a certain reputation and are perceived as a serious club.”

People in Bruneck have been toying with the idea of joining the ICE for a long time...

"That's correct. We had our first thoughts back in 2013 and 2014. In 2015 we expressed a fundamental interest, also so that we could at least have a conversation. Because we saw the new stadium within reach in 2019, we tried an application back then, but it failed.”

Jochen Schenk, board member of HC Pustertal.

Why did it work now?

“Now the new stadium is here, and then we got the message from outside: 'Attention, the league is being expanded. If you're really interested, you need to be pronto now.' So we knew: Now we have to confirm our interest, because maybe the doors will be closed in two years. And now here we are. This is an absolute milestone for us. Capitals from all over Europe take part in this league, and the fact that Brunico, as a small city, is in such a list is a success.”

“We have the most modern small stadium in Europe.” Jochen Schenk So in your opinion, the stadium was the central point with which you were able to convince the ICE clubs?

"I think so. This is of course our gem and the most modern small stadium in Europe. But the solid financial situation may also have played a role. It may have also helped us that Pustertal is perceived as having a strong economy outside of sport and that the people of Pusteria are seen as hard-working workers.”

This season was problematic. No spectators, lack of sponsorship money – the fact that HC Pustertal is applying for a higher league is anything but a given…

“We decided to do this because we got through the season well financially this year. Our loyal partners are responsible for this. We saw the opportunity and said: The next opportunity might not come for another five or six years. Then what should we do with such a state-of-the-art stadium? That’s why we tackled it.”

“Many people forget that we are still in the middle of a championship in which we want to achieve a lot.” Jochen Schenk Was there also support from Dieter Knoll, the head of HCB Südtirol Alperia, during this time?

“Yes, Knoll helped us a lot. He gave us tips and praised us to the other clubs - he is also vice president of the ICE League. He acted in a very cooperative manner and was always available to answer any questions we had.”

What will happen to HC Pustertal in the next few months?

“There is a lot of work ahead. We need to build the organizational structure even more professionally. Like every club in the ICE, we need full-time employees. The next big point is financing, we need sponsors. And of course we have to put together a team. Moving to the new stadium is also a challenge. Have you already spoken to the players about next season? No, not yet. We told the players that we had started an application process, but nothing more.”

Last question: What sporting role does HC Pustertal want to play in the ICE?

“It’s still too early to say anything about it. I think many people are currently forgetting that we are still in the middle of a championship in which we want to achieve a lot. That’s exactly what we want to focus on now.”

Questions: Thomas Debelyak

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 on the ICE: “There is a spirit of optimism”

From autumn onwards, HC Pustertal will be playing in the ICE Hockey League and thus in the concert of the big players. The Wolves are extremely happy about this, as is the certainty that there will be a lot of work to do in the next few months.

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