Release from 17.08.2021

Doug Mason takes over Bolzano

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Doug Mason is back in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League. The Canadian is the new head coach of the HCB Südtirol Alperia and thus takes over the agendas of Greg Ireland, who was head coach of the South Tyroleans in the past two seasons. Bolzano is Mason's third club in the ICE after the EC-KAC (2014-2016) and the Moser Medical Graz99ers (2016-2020). In addition, the club announced that Fabio Armani will remain assistant coach of the HCB.

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Born in Sudbury, Ontario in 1955, the coach spent most of his career as a player in the Netherlands (he also has a Dutch passport) before embarking on a coaching career towards the end of the 1980s. His leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of hockey took him across Europe over the years. After stops between Switzerland and Asiago in the early '90s, Mason won four Dutch championships as coach of the Trappers Tilburg. He then made his breakthrough in the DEL, where he worked for 17 years. In addition, he spent two seasons in Switzerland with the EV Zug. In 2014, he moved to the ICE, where he was in charge of the EC-KAC for two years, and from 2016 until December 27th, 2020, he was coach of the Moser Medical Graz99ers.

"I have had lengthy discussions with Bolzano and I am now pleased that we have reached an agreement," were Doug Mason's first words as the new white and red coach, "HCB has been a top team for years and Dr. Knoll has landed competitive players every year. The core of the team is the same as last year and I am sure the quality is there. I am looking forward to the new task of working with a group of players with a winning mentality. As an opponent, I have always had great respect for Bolzano and its fans: the environment is positive and I believe that the fans play a big part in the team's success through their support, be it in good times or bad."

Armani remains assistant coach
Doug Mason will be assisted by Fabio Armani as assistant coach: the 47-years-old from Trentino will therefore work his third season in Bolzano, having won the respect of the players and the club. "Armani is a qualified coach and an important link in the dressing room," said Knoll, "we are very satisfied with his work and would like to continue this collaboration in the coming years."