Squad Highlights
Even though five domestic players – Jason Seed, Dylan Di Perna, Enrico Miglioranzi, Pascal Brunner, and captain Daniel Frank – left or retired, the core is still strong.
Dustin Gazley (at 37, still an excellent skater), new captain Luca Frigo, Daniel Mantenuto, Cristiano DiGiacinto, and Bryce Misley have been proven domestic players in the league for years. Additionally, Matt Bradley (who turned down offers from Ljubljana and Vienna) will also play as an Italian in the league for the first time this year.
That's already six veterans in attack before discussing the imports and new domestic players.
Only Brad McClure and Cole Schneider were re-signed from last season's import players. McClure, who also found his personal happiness in South Tyrol, presented himself renewed after two injury-plagued seasons; his 31 goals in the regular season were a league best.
Cole Schneider proved to be the character player and point scorer expected – regrettable perhaps for him, but certainly for HCB, that the now 36-year-old only found his way to Bolzano at an older age (and that after a detour via Norway). Turner Elson (a solid two-way forward) and the towering Isaac Ratcliffe are two new North Americans for the top two lines.
If you sacrifice two import licenses for two goalies, they have to perform. Sam Harvey, whose performance declined slightly but not dramatically, had to leave. Gianluca Vallini preferred the starting position at Ritten over a backup role in Bolzano.
Since Jake Smith also declined, the saved Bradley import license effectively moved to the net. Louis Domingue, a man with an impressive resume, arrived, although the 34-year-old suffered from knee problems in the preseason.
Backup Marco Costantini (24) previously played briefly for Asiago, but his domestic status in the league will only become active in two years. On paper, a good duo (a veteran and a younger ECHL player).
Squad Question Marks
The defense had to be rebuilt, not entirely voluntarily – at least the powerhouse Max Gildon would have been welcomed back. On paper, two import pairings emerge – PP specialist Zac Leslie or puck-moving defenseman Teemu Kivihalme (without any physical presence) paired with the towering Jackson van de Leest and AHL veteran Blake Hillman.
World Championship participant Carmine Buono, who arrived from the AlpsHL, would then be the link to youngsters Noah Frick and Enrico Larcher, who at least gained some experience last season. This cannot be compared to the depth of previous years.
Knoll apparently wanted to make up for the shortcomings of recent years all at once this year. Larcher and 19-year-old Frick, as well as Buono, must perform on defense, while on offense, AHL goal-scorer Daniel Gellon, Jakob Fuchs, and Nicolo Remolato are three more new domestic players.
Apart from Buono, all are even South Tyroleans or from Bolzano. With only seven defensemen and 13 forwards, they will also have to play. Can they all prove their league suitability, or will they even bring a breath of fresh air to an aging squad?
Antti Karhula was announced as the new coach only at the beginning of August, quite soon after his signing. The coaching market appears limited.
Can Karhula, who employed attractive, fast-paced hockey in Székesfehérvár and Ljubljana, confirm that he wasn't just a leftover from the coaching list?
His main task will certainly be to instill his philosophy in the veterans while truly utilizing the younger players.
Potential for Reinforcement
All import slots are filled. Only injuries (Domingue) or weak performances could necessitate changes; the domestic player market was already scoured in the summer.
Theoretically, an exchange of the 11th import/domestic backup goalie would only be possible on paper.
Outlook
In twelve of 13 EBEL or ICE seasons, HC Bolzano found itself among the top-six teams – an incredible consistency. Can this be achieved again this year with less roster depth? Among last year's top teams, the Foxes could be the biggest wild card...
