Exactly four months from today, the big final day of the 18th edition of the Dolomitencup will take place in the Würtharena in Neumarkt/South Tyrol. What role will HC Pustertal play? It will be interesting to see, as the “Wolves” will be back at the prestigious pre-season tournament from August 16 to 18 for the first time in a long time.
The Dolomitencup is considered one of the most prestigious pre-season tournaments in local ice hockey. Why? It’s quite simple! Year after year, numerous glitz and glamor clubs from all over Europe find their way to the picturesque lowlands. Every now and then, a local representative joins the glittering international stage – just like this year. With HC Pustertal, one of the big draught horses of South Tyrolean ice hockey is coming to the Dolomitencup.
Pustertal brings an enormous enthusiasm for ice hockey to Neumarkt. The passion and tradition for this sport has always been huge in the east of South Tyrol, and three years ago the euphoria reached new heights. Since 2021, the “Wolves” have been part of the international ICE Hockey League, in which their great local rivals HC Bolzano also play. The highlight of this still young journey was last season. In an adventurous winter, the Black & Yellows advanced to the semi-finals, where they lost to Klagenfurter AC.
Nevertheless, the HCP – which has perhaps the most beautiful ice hockey stadium in Italy – has electrified its many fans with the best season in the club’s history. The “Wolves” want to repeat this in the coming season and ideally start at the Dolomitencup. The last time Pustertal was a guest at the traditional tournament was in 2013 and put up more than a brave fight in the concert of the greats. In the end, they finished a respectable third against opponents such as Augsburg, Wolfsburg and Innsbruck.
HC Pustertal is the third club to confirm its participation in this year’s Dolomitencup. The Swiss first division team EHC Kloten and the Czech top club Kometa Brno will also be taking part. The fourth and final representative will be announced shortly. The tournament will take place from August 16 to 18.
Photo: Fabian Leitner
