Raphael Andergassen shone in his comeback for Kaltern. © I. Foppa / HCP

For his old love: Raphi Andergassen shows no mercy

Ice hockey is coming back to life – also in the Italian Hockey League, where a very special duel was on the program for the opening match on Saturday.

September 19, 2026

The hockey gods often have special coincidences in store. That SV Kaltern will face HC Pustertal Junior in the opening game of the new IHL season is one such coincidence. This is because Raphael Andergassen has joined Kaltern's roster this season – the very same player who has been scoring goals for HC Pustertal for the past eleven years and was most recently the captain of the ICE Hockey League club.

Andergassen intends to wind down his career with his hometown club Kaltern, and his first match was against none other than HCP Junior, the subsidiary of HC Pustertal. However, the reunion was anything but easy for the IHL Division I champion and league newcomer. The Wolves were crushed 0-8 by the league's top favorites in the Überetsch region. The main protagonist on the ice was none other than Raphael Andergassen.

Andergassen (left) played for HC Pustertal for eleven years. © I. Foppa / HCP

The 33-year-old shone with a hat trick and provided an assist. Four points in his first game back for his hometown club – that's a statement. A statement with which Andergassen, metaphorically speaking, broke the heart of his old Puster Valley love.

Galimberti shoots Eppan to victory

HC Eppan also got off to a winning start. The Pirates, who aim to challenge their Kaltern rivals for the top spot this year, secured a 4-2 away victory against Varese. A new signing shone in this match as well: Thomas Galimberti, who tallied 26 points for the Unterland Cavaliers in the Alps Hockey League last season, scored two goals.

Italian Hockey League, Matchday 1

SV Kaltern – HCP Junior 8:0
Goals: 1:0 Rajamäki (3.41), 2:0 Andergassen (23.44), 3:0 Michael Sölva (26.28), 4:0 Covi (37.20), 5:0 Andergassen (44.18), 6:0 Oberhuber (48.23), 7:0 Rajamäki (48.43), 8:0 Andergassen (56.19)
Audience: 400

Varese Hockey – HC Eppan 2:4
Goals: 1:0 Crivellari (9.25), 1:1 Galimberti (10.05), 2:1 Girardi (23.37), 2:2 Gagnon (40.50), 2:3 Mikkola (49.54), 2:4 Galimberti (59.39)
Audience: 791

Hockey Pergine – Fassa Falcons 3:6
Goals: 1:0 Dowd (12.25), 2:0 Foccoli (26.59), 2:1 Pais (36.45), 2:2 Vigl (42.42), 2:3 Cassan (44.04), 2:4 Berger (47.41), 3:4 Speranza (53.58), 3:5 Rossi (57.11), 3:6 Berger (59.15)
Audience: 315

HC Aosta – Valdifiemme HC 3-0
Goals: 1:0 Carissimi (35.06), 2:0 Moberg (36.47), 3:0 Nimenko (40.33)
Audience: 480

Alleghe Hockey – HC Valpellice 7:4
Goals: 1:0 Soppelsa (16.44), 2:0 Zardini (29.08), 3:0 Iori (30.09), 4:0 Fontanive (35.54), 4:1 Smith (37.14), 5:1 Zardini (42.56), 6:1 Da Tos (47.49), 6:2 Smith (54.06), 6:3 Majul (54.46), 6:4 Majul (57.21), 7:4 Cruseman (58.03)
Audience: 480