Tom Pokel: “This city and these fans deserve success”

By Alexander Foppa and Paolo Gaiardelli

On Friday, HC Bozen starts its third season in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga with the away match against the Graz 99ers. With the first puck drop in the Styrian capital, the turbulent summer months should definitely be put to rest. The focus is now solely on the sporting goals. “We want to be involved in the allocation of playoff tickets, no question about it,” explains Tom Pokel, who is enthusiastic about the attitude of his players: “I only had a decimated squad available to me in the last few weeks, and the circumstances weren’t ideal. But that is exactly what brings us together. The players push themselves to their limits in every training session; they are literally burning for their first competitive game. I have to give them a lot of praise, their attitude is exemplary.”

The captain wants to “accelerate immediately” Since the return of the master coach from 2014, a new wind has been blowing in the HCB cabin. Captain Alex Egger also confirms this: “We worked a lot mentally and prepared the start of the season down to the last detail. It certainly won't be easy at the beginning, but at HC Bozen we know how to deal with difficult situations. We will immediately step on the gas and do everything we can to lure our fans in Bolzano and all of South Tyrol back into the ice wave." Pokel's tenor is similar, and he sees his team as responsible: "This fantastic city and our great fans deserve it Successes. We want to deliver this to them.”

There are 21 players available for the cup

The new acquisitions Joel Broda, Jerry Pollastrone, Tylor Davis Vause and Brett Flemming, all of whom are expected in Bolzano on Thursday, should also make a decisive contribution to this. Defender Ryan McKiernan, who the club management wants to present as the latest addition after the contract has been signed, will also be on the plane. The two transfer card positions that are still vacant should then be filled in the coming weeks. Before the first championship game, Pokel should have 21 cracks available.

Phil DeSimone, who left the club after the end of the season and will now meet his former teammates with the Graz 99ers on the first matchday of all days, is no longer in the HCB squad. He is just one of the numerous new acquisitions that the Styrians made after the disappointing last season and missing the playoffs. New additions include Canadian coach Todd Bjorkstrand and former Ritten defender Kevin Mitchell. They all face their first big test on Friday – just like the newly formed HC Bozen team. The game in Graz starts at 19.15:XNUMX p.m. Meanwhile, the White-Reds have their first home game against the Black Wings Linz on Sunday.

The first EBEL match day at a glance: HC Orli Znojmo - EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz (Friday, 17 p.m.) EC Klagenfurter AC - Fehervar AV 19 (Friday, 19.15:XNUMX p.m.) Moser Medical Graz 99ers - HCB Südtirol (Friday, 19.15:XNUMX p.m.) EC Red Bull Salzburg - UPC Vienna Capitals (Friday, 19.30 p.m.) HDD Olimpija Ljubljana - HC TWK Innsbruck (Saturday, 17.30 p.m.) EC Villacher SV - Dornbirner EC (Saturday, 17.30 p.m.)

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Tom Pokel: “This city and these fans deserve success”

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