“We have sparked a new euphoria in Kaltern”

SV Kaltern made it to the finals of both the Italian Cup and the championship. However, the Hechte had to admit defeat to Varese both times. Above all, the championship knockout was extremely bitter, as it was only sealed in the final 7 just a few seconds before the end. Planning for the new season has long since begun in Kaltern. And so the Hechte recently made a splash with the signing of Star trainer Kai Suikkanen for a huge bang.

"It was a coincidence. A mutual friend made contact with Suikkanen. The former Bolzano master coach often returned to South Tyrol because he still maintains friendships here. In the beginning, I never thought about commitment. I just exchanged ideas with Suikkanen and got tips from him. At some point it became more concrete until we reached an agreement,” Kofler told the Tagblatt at the time Dolomites . Although Suikkanen dominates the headlines, there are also some exciting topics in Kaltern outside of it.

Alex Kofler, the final defeat against Varese was now two months ago. How can this season be classified after a few weeks?

“It took us a few days to get over the bitter defeat in the final. But when I look back now, I can say that it was a good season. A lot has happened in Kaltern in recent years. We have played five finals in the last five seasons, Kaltern has regained a winning mentality and a passion for success. And: We have triggered a euphoria that has not existed for a long time.”

The audience interest in Kaltern was great.

What do you mean?

“In the regular season we sometimes played in front of fewer than 100 spectators, in the last home game – i.e. Final 6 – I had to sometimes refuse people entry because the hall was already so full. More than 1000 fans were in the Raiffeisenhalle, sold out. That was the best moment of the season for me. It was also remarkable that 100 fans went to Varese for the all-important game.”

Kaltern had to struggle with injuries more than anyone else...

"Yes indeed. There was one game where no fewer than eleven players were missing, seven of whom normally play on the first three lines. Of course we asked ourselves questions internally, but you also have to say: They are not complete professionals. But we also had a lot of bad luck, emblematic of this was club legend Patrick Gius. After a long-term injury he fought his way back to the finals and in his second game he got a puck on his hand, which was broken.”

“There is a question mark behind the whereabouts of the club legends Michael Felderer and Patrick Gius.” Alex Kofler

What will change at Kaltern for the coming season?

“We are pleased to announce that Teemu Virtala (27 points in 49 games last year) is staying in Kaltern. He is also our youth coach and a figure in the club who leaves a lasting impression. However, keeping his brother Marko will be difficult. He has some tempting offers in front of him. However, there is a question mark behind the club legends Michael Felderer and Patrick Gius. They don't know yet whether they'll hang on for a year. Everything else is still up in the air.”

Kaltern has been one of the best teams in the IHL for years, and now they have an exceptional coach in Kai Suikkanen. Will we be heading to the Alps Hockey League soon?

“No, we’re not aiming for that. We are still a volunteer-run association; we have no secretary or office. A move to the AlpsHL would not be financially and organizationally feasible. Besides, I don't see the great appeal. It's nicer for the village to play against Eppan, Fiemme and Pergine than against Linz II or Vienna II. I'd rather we beat our players in the Alps or in the ICE. And we have succeeded in doing that in recent years. There is no club in South Tyrol that has so many homegrown players in higher leagues.”

“We see ourselves as a talent factory and want to stay that way.” Alex Kofler

Zum Beispiel?

“I’m thinking of Raphael Andergassen, the captain of HC Pustertal, and Matthias Mantinger, who also plays for HCP. There is Alex Frei, who unfortunately no longer plays, or the Sölva brothers Maximilian (HC Unterland) and Michael (HC Gröden), Samuel Rohregger (Fassa). Alan Lobis, on the other hand, is on duty in Finland. We see ourselves in Kaltern as a talent factory and want to stay that way.”

	SP	TV	P
1. HC Asiago	11	49:30	26
2. Rittner Buam	11	35:21	22
3. Wipptal Broncos	11	35:30	20
4. SG Cortina	12	35:37	18
5. HC Meran	11	26:35	11
6. HC Gherdëina	11	27:40	11
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	SP	TV	P
1. SV Kaltern	17	73:35	44
2. Alleghe Hockey	17	82:55	36
3. HC Varese	17	68:51	33
4. HC Eppan	17	65:60	31
5. HC Valpellice	17	66:58	30
6. Fassa Falcons	17	75:68	25
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“We have sparked a new euphoria in Kaltern”

SV Kaltern has had an eventful season. In an interview with SportNews, President Alex Kofler looks back on the past IHL season and looks ahead. At the same time, he explains why the Alps Hockey League is not an issue at all in the ice hockey-crazy Weindorf.

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