Mark Demetz: From exceptional goalie to alpaca breeder

When he was just 18, Demetz left his hometown club, the Hockey Club Gherdëina. It wasn't until 15 years later that he returned to Holzschnitzertal as a player. In between, the man from St. Christina toured Italy's ice hockey landscape - and was very successful. Milan and Eppan are the clubs that Demetz remained loyal to for the longest time and at the same time the ones with which he celebrated his greatest successes. Demetz announced the end of his career in 2016 as a result of a severe concussion. He himself describes this injury as a “sign to take a new path”. Hobby becomes work This new path was paved for him early on by his father. Back in 1999, he bought alpacas for the first time - out of a passion for South American animals, as Demetz explains. And what started as a hobby has now become a second mainstay in the life of the ex-goalie, who works full-time at the tourist association in Wolkenstein.

During his active career, the time that Demetz was able to devote to the animals was limited exclusively to the summer. “It was just part of life back then,” says the Ladin native, who is now kept busy every day by over 70 alpacas that he keeps on his farm. “The work that the animals demand of you is a lot,” says Demetz. The small business, which is run as a family business, does this gladly and with a lot of dedication. “So we don’t mow our meadows in the summer for nothing,” he jokes. Wool is further processed In order to obtain the highest quality wool possible, Demetz has been actively breeding the animals for several years. For this purpose, male alpacas are systematically selected and purchased. Third-party companies then use the wool obtained to make garments. He also regularly exhibits the alpaca products at the craft market in St. Christina. Demetz runs the farm not only for himself, but also for his two children. “I think it’s nice to grow up on a farm. “You’re always in the fresh air.”

And ice hockey? Those are days long gone for the former exceptional goalie. “After my career ended, I didn’t think about it,” claims Demetz. “At the moment I like it better on the court than on the ice.” In general, he only follows what is happening in the South Tyrolean ice hockey scene on the sidelines. “I still follow how my former teammates are doing in the media from time to time, but my interest in sport is no longer as great as it once was,” says the native of Val Gardena. However, he does not rule out a future commitment as a youth coach: “Who knows what the future will bring. I never say never.”

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Mark Demetz: From exceptional goalie to alpaca breeder

Mark Demetz shaped the local ice hockey scene for almost two decades. Italian champion, cup winner, national goalkeeper – the now 39-year-old can look back on a remarkable career. Demetz has been in ice hockey retirement for 5 years now, but he doesn't get bored. On the contrary.

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