Reunion with Tom Pokel – “Together we have matured into champions”

Tom Pokel is still considered the father of success in Bolzano, as the one who formed a tight-knit unit out of many internationally inexperienced and unknown players and led them to a triumph that was not thought possible. HC Bozen's sensational championship title in the first EBEL year undoubtedly bears Pokel's signature. This didn't go unnoticed by the Vienna Capitals either. They snapped up the American before this season in the hope that he would bring the success of his days in Bolzano with him to the capital. So far the calculation seems to be working.

The presence

The Caps are immediately on the road to victory and lead the EBEL rankings with 18 points from 11 games. Like last year with HCB, Pokel has already won numerous games with Vienna this season by a single goal difference. “This is a sign that the team is extremely mentally strong and never gives up,” reveals the coach, who is known for his motivational skills. He adds: “We have really strong foreigners and on top of that we have a solid core of experienced local cracks. The mixture is right. However, we still have a lot of room for improvement.”

The past

His current statements are the same as those around a year ago, when Pokel and Bozen began to shake up the league. At that time he began to shape the Italian record champions in a way that no coach before him had managed for a long time. He helped the local players in particular to make great progress and at the same time internalized the winning genes in the many new purchases. The effects of his work are still felt at HCB today. This fact makes the first reunion with his former protégés all the more interesting.

“The time in Bolzano was unique, you don’t experience something like that often. Together we have matured into champions. This development has created very close connections and contacts that will last for a long time. I'm looking forward to seeing my former players again. Yes, it will certainly be a very special evening.” Pokel expects a lot of hard work on the ice: “Bozen started the preparation very late, so the start of the season was not easy. But now the master is really in motion. However, in order to live up to our demands as number one, we also have to overcome this hurdle.”

Difficult away weekend for Bolzano

HC Bozen will take the seven-hour bus ride to Vienna on Thursday – strengthened by their recent four championship victories in a row. On Sunday, Pokel's successor Mario Simioni and his players will go to Klagenfurt for the next difficult away game. The HCB has to play both games without backup Günther Hell. He is replaced again by the young Cortese. Sean McMonagle will once again have to watch as a surplus transfer card player.

The game program in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League: Thursday, October 16th – 19.15:XNUMX p.m Red Bull Salzburg – Villacher SV

Friday, October 17th – 19.15:XNUMX p.m Orli Znojmo – SAPA Fehervar Vienna Capitals – HCB Südtirol Dornbirner EC – Klagenfurter AC Innsbruck Sharks – Graz 99ers

Sunday, October 19rd – 17.30:XNUMX p.m Graz 99ers - Olimpjia Ljubljana Black Wings Linz – Orli Znojmo Klagenfurter AC – HCB Südtirol Red Bull Salzburg – SAPA Fehervar Villacher SV – Vienna Capitals Innsbruck Haie – Dornbirner EC (17.40 p.m.)

The table:

1. Vienna Capitals 18 points/11 games 2. Black Wings Linz 16/10 3. Red Bull Salzburg 15/10 4. Graz 99ers 14/10 5. Innsbruck Sharks 11/10 6. Orli Znojmo 10/10 7. HCB South Tyrol 10/10 8. SAPA Fehervar 10/10 9. Villacher SV 8/10 10. Klagenfurt AC 6/9 11. Dornbirner EC 6/11 12. Olimpjia Ljubljana 4/11

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Reunion with Tom Pokel – “Together we have matured into champions”

On Friday evening there will be a reunion in Vienna between HC Bozen and its master coach Tom Pokel. “We made history together last season and you won’t forget that,” said the Capitals’ new head coach.

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