Release from 18.05.2023

Gazley enters fourth season with Bolzano | Pance stays three more years in Ljubljana

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Dustin Gazley was one of the most successful forwards in the win2day ICE Hockey League last season. In total, the US-American with an Italian passport scored 61 points in his third season with HCB Südtirol Alerpia - a personal record in the ICE. Now the forward is about to start his fourth season with the Foxes. Ziga Pance, meanwhile, signed for three more years with HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana.

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The Italian-American forward, who earned the nickname "Mr. Overtime" thanks to his two decisive goals in Game 7 of the quarterfinals against Linz and in Game 1 of the semifinals against Vienna, will tackle his fourth consecutive season with HCB Südtirol Alperia.

In 65 games last season, Gazley recorded 61 scoring points, including 26 goals and 35 assists. This performance secured him the second place in HCB's internal top scorer list in the Regular Season and the first in the Playoffs. In terms of goals scored, he was topped only by Christian Thomas with 29.

Dustin Gazley came to Europe for the first time in 2018 after more than 300 appearances in the American Hockey League and checked in with Salzburg. After a one-year stopover in the Swedish second league, he came to Bolzano in 2020 and reached the finals twice in three years with the Foxes. In total, he brought it so far to 169 appearances in the white-red jersey and scored 151 points: in the last three seasons he was the forward with the best average score.

Dustin Gazley: "I am really pleased to be able to play another year in white-red. For me and my family, Bolzano has become like a second home; in the last three years we have met many wonderful people and felt very comfortable. In the past season we have achieved great things, unfortunately we did not manage the final crowning by a hair's breadth. Nevertheless, I am proud of the past season and the team's growth process. We were a fantastic squad that I will always remember. The fans were simply incredible throughout the season and played an important part in our successes: a sold-out Sparkasse Arena is an almost insurmountable hurdle for any opponent. We have earned a place in the CHL and I am already waiting with anticipation to see how far we will get there, the focus is of course also on the upcoming league play, because we want to continue to work hard to bring the cup back to Bolzano."

Pance stays in Ljubljana for three more years

Forward Žiga Pance will remain with HK SZ Olimpija until the 2025/26 season. In total, Pance is already entering his 13th season in the multinational ICE Hockey League.

Žiga Pance: "I am glad that I will be part of the Olimpija team also in the future. I am sure that my teammates have a lot of potential and knowledge, so I am looking forward to the new season and the challenges it will bring. I am sure that as a team we will do our best to correct the impression of last season and get back on the winning track, and with the help of the fans who support us through thick and thin, we can change things for the better."