The Preseason is coming to an end and the new season of Icehl is just around the corner. Time to take a look at the teams and deal with the squads with which the 13 clubs go into the new season. We present the squad, you take over the evaluation: with our survey tool at the end of the article.
After the semi-finals last season, HC Bolzano wants to fully attack again this year. Club boss Dieter Knoll seems to have enough of two defeats in the semi-final in a row and has rebuilt the squad vigorously. On the legionnaire side, it was almost completely exchanged, at the same time it was possible to keep important local cracks or re -sign. It is to be expected that the South Tyroleans will also be at the forefront in the coming season.
TRAINER
There is a new face on the bench: Glen Hanlon left the Foxes in summer, his successor is called Kleinendorst. The 64-year-old American was last two years without a club, but previously worked as head coach in the DEL and AHL for a total of four years. Now he should lead the Bozner back to the top. Small endorst is supported by Associate Coach Fabio Armani and goalie coach Daniel Goller.
goalkeeper
The constancy remains preserved in the gate. Despite the strong interest from Graz, Sam Harvey has extended and thus goes into his fourth season in South Tyrol. Only a short intermezzo in Finland has interrupted the cooperation so far. With a fishing rate of over 92 percent, Harvey was one of the best goalies of the ICEHL last season and led his team to the semi -finals with strong performances in an intensive quarter -final series against Villach. The two-time QMJHL champion will also be the undisputed number one of the foxes this year.
Gianluca Vallini is still available as a backup. The 31-year-old Italian, who was previously under contract at Asiago, goes into his third season with Bolzano and is also a goalkeeper in the national team.
DEFENDER
On the defensive, a smaller change was carried out on the legionnaire side. Simon Bourque and Cole Hults moved to Vienna, only Scott Valentine was preserved from the previous foreigner contingent. The uncompromising defender goes into his fourth season with the Foxes and brings leadership quality and physical presence.
A real top transfer was presented with Mark Barberio. The 35-year-old Canadian brings enormous experience-almost 300 NHL operations, plus stations in the KHL, the NLA and Olympic participants for Team Canada. His qualities as a puckmover and his strong shot will significantly upgrade the Bozner defense.
Philip Samuelsson is also new to the team, and in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. After years, the 34-year-old brings routine and stability in NHL, SHL, Czech Extraliga and DEL. The American Max Gildon should provide offensive accents. The 1.91 -meter -tall defender Scorte for the HC Kosice Stark 52 points in 70 games last season and was drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2017.
The defense is completed by the local forces Dylan Diperna, Jason Seed, Enrico Miglioranz and the young talent Enrico Larcher. Overall, the defensive is physically very well positioned, while Barberio and Gildon bring additional offensive qualities and power play strength.
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| Kader 2025/26 (under contract) | Goal: Sam Harvey, Gianluca Vallini Defense: Storm: |
| Confirmed approaches: | Bryce Misley (Asiago), Shane Gersich (Iserlohn), Philip Samuelsson (Straubing), Brett Pollock (Kosice), Max Gildon (Kosice), Mark Barberio (Severstal Cherepovets), Enrico Larcher (Cortina), Cole Schneider (Storhamar) |
| Confirmed departures: | Cole Hults, Simon Bourque (both Vienna Capitals), Giordano Finoro (Troja), Adam Helewka (VSV), Braden Christoffer, Mike Halmo (career end), Peter Spornberger (Ingolstadt), Anthony Salinitri (Spisska Nova Ves) |
| Any approaches/contract extensions: | Jakob Fuchs (Merano) |
| Any departures: | |
STRIKER
There were also numerous changes on the offensive. The club left the club, among others, Adam Helewka (after Villach), Braden Christoffer (career end, previously shortly before a move to Puster Valley), Nick Saracino (to Pustertal), Giordano Finoro (after Sweden), Anthony Salinitri (in Slovakia) and Mike Halmo, who ended his career.
However, there were contract extensions with some key players: Matt Bradley stays on board, but still needs a year in Bolzano to be eligible to play for the Italian national team at the Olympics. The Canadian already demonstrated its class at the Vienna Capitals and returned to Icehl after a year in Straubing. Brad McClure has also extended his contract and goes into his fourth season with the Italians. The Italo-Canadian Cristiano Digiacinto also remains. He combines physical play with scoring qualities.
A constant is also Dustin Gazely, who starts his sixth season with the Foxes and is now an Italian national team player. Likewise, local leaders Luca Frigo, Daniel Frank, Daniel Mantenuto and Michele Marchetti remain in the team. The next Italo-Canadian, Bryce Misley, also changes to Bolzano from Asiago. The storm is completed by the promising talent Pascal Brunner.
Bolzano has again added vigorously with the new additions. With Cole Schneider, an absolute top transfer was achieved. The 35-year-old American was most recently active with Master Storhamar in Norway, where he dominated with 74 points in almost 50 games. Despite the existing contract in Norway, Bozen was able to commit the attacker and thus secure concentrated AHL experience (over 800 games).
With Brett Pollock, a player comes from Slovakia, who already demonstrated his offensive strength in several top European top leagues – among others in Germany, Sweden, the KHL and most recently in Kosice. The American Shane Gersich strengthens the offensive. The 29-year-old most recently played at DEL straggler Iserlohn, where he made an offensive accents, and is now in the best ice hockey age.
The HC Bolzano has carried out a significant change after the semi-finals and has severely replaced its departures both physically and in terms of quality. On the defensive, Barberio and Gildon ensure new accents, and a lot of scoring power was hired in the storm with Schneider, Pollock and Gersich. Sam Harvey also continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in the league in the box.
It is now due to coach Kurt Kleinendorst and his coaching team to get the maximum out of this newly formed but top -class squad. One thing is clear: the foxes are also a hot candidate on the Icehl title this season.
Now you are on: Where do you see the HCB South Tyrol in the coming season?
Master
33 (28.45 %)
final
47 (40.52 %)
Semi -finals
27 (23.28 %)
Quarterfinals
3 (2.59 %)
Pre-playoffs
1 (0.86 %)
Preliminary round
5 (4.31 %)
Image: HCB/Vanna Antonello
