That's why Diego Kostner extended his contract with Ambri and is missing the World Cup

In 50 games, Kostner, who has been playing in Switzerland for 15 years and in Ticino for 12 years and has played a total of 461 games in the top Swiss league, scored 23 points (9 goals). Last winter he was on the ice for an average of around 17 minutes per game and was used in both over- and under-numbered situations.

The national player recently signed a new working paper that is valid until spring 2023. “I feel comfortable in Ambri and am happy that I can play here for the next two years,” assures the attacker. National coach Greg Ireland will have to do without Diego Kostner in Riga. © Max Pattis

He missed the play-offs this year with his club, for which he has been chasing the hard rubber target for five years: “We all expected more. But it was a very difficult season. We had numerous injuries and were never able to compete with all four foreigners. And the coronavirus also thwarted our plans.” The man from Val Gardena was the first Ambri player to test positive. “That was at the end of October. The next day the entire team was tested, with four teammates being infected with the virus. I had a mild fever for 5 days and lost my sense of smell and taste. In February we had 4 positive players on the team,” explains Kostner. “It was the wish of Ambri’s sports director and coach not to go to the World Cup.” Diego Kostner on skipping the World Cup The very useful player has recovered well from his groin injury, which had to be treated surgically in December 2019. Nevertheless, he will miss the World Cup in Riga (May 21st to June 6th). “Every now and then the groin still hurts because half the tendon was torn away from the bone. I did a lot of therapy throughout the winter and always had to warm up very well before games. It was the wish of Ambri's sports director and coach not to go to the World Cup. I did this after consulting with national coach Greg Ireland. “I don’t want to risk anything,” regrets Kostner, who was recently a fixture in the “Blue Team” at seven world championships. Spent 15 years in Switzerland and 14 years in Italy The 28-year-old does not burden Ambri's foreign quota because he has been playing with a Swiss license for years and is considered a so-called ice hockey Swiss. That could change from the 2022/23 season. “There are plans and discussions that players with a Swiss license should be classified as foreigners from the season after next. However, I do not believe that this regulation will pass or be implemented. Especially not for players like me. After all, I have now spent 15 years in Switzerland and only 14 in Italy. If that really happens, then I could definitely apply for a Swiss passport and play as a dual citizen,” explains Kostner. "I can not comprehend that." Diego Kostner on the new foreigner rule in the NLA From the 2022/23 season onwards, the foreign contingent in the National League will also be increased. “In order to reduce the players' salaries, the clubs would then be allowed to use 4 foreigners instead of the previous 7. I can't understand that because the Swiss national team was so successful recently precisely because many Swiss people took on leading roles in the clubs and got a lot of ice time," Kostner points out. © Ambri Piotta

It wasn't just for Kostner that an era came to an end on April 5th with the home defeat against Friborg Gotteron. After all, it was the last game of the cult club in the “Valascia ice rink”, built in 1959, which will soon be razed to the ground. Just a few meters away, the new, ultra-modern stadium is being built on the old Ambri airfield site.

“The Valascia was something special. Above all, the atmosphere was unique. But it was also cold. Very cold. There were games where I even had cold feet. It's a shame that we had to play in the old stadium without fans last season. Now we are all looking forward to the new arena, which is scheduled to open in August,” says Kostner.

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That's why Diego Kostner extended his contract with Ambri and is missing the World Cup

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