From Gios to Bona: Now the HCP boss speaks

"We will not sign any more players. We looked around, but did not find the right one." This was what Patrick Bona, sports director of HC Pustertal, said last Friday before the derby against HCB Südtirol.

Because Ole Andersen broke his hand in a tough duel with arch-rivals from Bolzano, the HCP signed Gregorio Gios from HC Asiago on Monday shortly before the transfer deadline. Now the HCP president has commented on this and much more.

Why did HC Pustertal not sign a foreign defender after Ole Andersen’s injury?

Erich Falkensteiner: We found out last Saturday that Ole Andersen's season was over early after he broke his hand. That's why we decided to go back to the transfer market. North American players were ruled out because, firstly, the Italian Ice Sports Federation no longer had any visas available and, secondly, because it would have taken at least a week to get a visa. So only European players were an option. But they weren't available. Unless we paid the club that was selling him a transfer fee of several thousand euros. We didn't want to spend that money because it was entirely possible that this foreigner would have only played three games for us. That's why we decided to go for an Italian.

And the choice fell on Gregorio Gios.

Falkensteiner: For me, Gregorio Gios is the best, quickest and cheapest solution. I am convinced that he can help us. Another alternative would have been Giovanni Vallati, Gios' team-mate at Asiago. But he is Italian-Canadian. As is well known, we spoke out in favor of reducing the number of dual nationals before the start of the season. If we had brought in Vallati now, it would have been counterproductive.

Gregorio Gios (right) will play for the HCP in the future. © Luka Vovk

Gios will be wearing the Pusterer jersey for the first time on Friday in Klagenfurt. What do you know about him?

Falkensteiner: I remember him as a solid defender. He is very professional and quickly integrated into the team. I have received consistently good feedback from our coaches. Gregorio is in top physical shape. He has given it his all in training so far and thrown himself into shots.

Sporting director Patrick Bona received a lot of criticism from his own fans on the internet for signing Gios. What do you say about that?

Falkensteiner: I generally think discussions are good. It means that our club is generating interest among people. I don't think what happened to Patrick Bona in a well-known ice hockey forum in the last few days was fair. Criticism is fine, but when it goes below the belt, it's no fun. Patrick did the best he could in this situation and in the short time he had. I fully support our sports director, who is practically working on a voluntary basis, and I defend him. And the criticism of Gregorio Gios is also unjustified. After all, he is a national player and has already taken part in three world championships at the age of 25. It's not his fault that he is the son of association president Andrea Gios and is therefore often criticized. We brought in Gregorio as a backup player. If Viktor Svedberg gets fit, Gios could be our 3th defender.

Will Patrick Bona put together the team again next season?

Falkensteiner: I assume so. We are behind him. The position of sports director is not up for discussion. Patrick will remain in this position. We want to improve and will look for joint solutions.

Your team is in the pre-playoffs, just like a year ago. Are you satisfied?

Falkensteiner: We have achieved our minimum goal. Now it can happen quickly or the season can last a long time. Last year we made it to the semi-finals via the pre-playoff. Why shouldn't we be able to do it again? The only difference from last season is that we are starting away this time. 12 months ago we had home advantage twice.

The pre-playoff starts on Sunday. Do you have a preferred opponent?

Falkensteiner: Since we are not allowed to pick, we have no preferred opponent. We have to take what we get. Before the last game, there are still 5 possible opponents.

Can the “Wolves” make it to the quarter-finals via the pre-playoff route like last year?

Falkensteiner: I'm in good spirits and positive. I see no reason why we can't do it and I firmly believe in it. After all, with our team, anything is possible: either an early end to the season or a surprise.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. EC Klagenfurt	47	181:121	94
2. EC Salzburg	47	169:127	92
3. HCB South Tyrol	47	146:111	90
4. Graz99ers	48	149:121	86
5. Linz	47	151:120	85
6. Fehervar	47	139:114	85
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From Gios to Bona: Now the HCP boss speaks

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