Release from 10.09.2025

Henrik Hochfilzer: “I play hockey to win”

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34-year-old Henrik Hochfilzer will enter his eight Alps Hockey League season next week. The captain of Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel, who has played his entire senior career for the Tyrolean club – with the exception of the 2020/21 season – looks back on his years in the league ahead of the anniversary season, explains why anything is possible in the AHL, and shares his major goals.

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The Alps Hockey League turns 10 this year. How has the level of play evolved since its early days?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “I've been playing in this league for a long time now, and from the start until today it has really moved in the right direction. Every year the teams get better and better, the players more professional – and the clubs too. So yeah, for sure, it’s going the right way.”

Which players have had the biggest impact on the league over the past nine seasons?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “I wouldn’t point to individual players. I’d say it’s more about the young players who come into the league and then make the step to really good clubs – like Bruno Idzan from Sisak. You can see what’s possible in this league. That’s a big reason to play here: to grow and take the next step.”

What has been your personal highlight in the Alps Hockey League so far?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “Definitely last season, winning the Austrian Championship. It was a lot of fun with the group of guys we had, and lifting that trophy was for sure my highlight in the Alps.”

How has the Alps Hockey League shaped Austrian hockey, especially in developing young players?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “Like I said before, you see young players come into the league, grow, work hard, and take the next step. You can even make it to the NHL. So yeah, in this league everything is possible.”

Which rivalries make the league special, and what are your season highlights?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “All the derbies – like Kitzbühel against Zell am See – they’re always fun. And for sure the Italian derbies too, like Ritten against Gherdeina. That’s the reason why we play hockey.”

With what expectations are you heading into the anniversary season?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “My expectations are the same every year: I play hockey to win. I want to win the last game of the season – that’s why we all play. That’s our goal, my goal, and hopefully we’ll reach it.”

Who will be the anniversary champion – and which underdog might surprise?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “I think like last year, Zell am See will have a really good team again this season. And Asiago, coming down from the first league into the Alps, they’re a high-end team. As for underdogs, it’s hard to say. Every team has brought in new players, good players, young players – everyone is hungry. So I think it’s really open this year. We’ll see.”

Facing Gherdeina in the season opener on Saturday, September 20, what will be key for a strong start to the anniversary season?
Henrik Hochfilzer: “It’s about doing the small things right – no turnovers at the blue line and staying out of the penalty box. That’s always important, especially against Gherdeina, because they’ve had a good power play in past years and they’ll have it this season too. So those are the key points for us to work on to be successful in the first game.”

All games of the new Alps Hockey League season will be streamed live on www.valcome.tv. To watch all the games of your team during the Regular Season and the Master/Qualification Round, there is a special Team Pass available for only €99.