Release from 30.03.2024

Interview with former Salzburg and Bolzano player Mike Dalhuisen

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Mike Dalhuisen played for both the EC Red Bull Salzburg and the HCB Südtirol Alperia during his career. His former teams are currently facing each other in the semifinals of the win2day ICE Hockey League and Bolzano has the first chance to reach the final on Saturday (18:00/PULS24). Dalhuisen himself, who became champion with Salzburg in 2022, is currently playing in the semifinals of the "Erste Liga" with the Romanian club Gyergyói HK. In this interview, the Dutch defender talks about his current season and which of his former teams he sees as the favorites to reach the final. The 35-year-old also has some emotional words to say about his time in Bolzano and Salzburg.

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Mike Dalhuisen's passion for ice hockey was sparked at an early age. After the conditions for a professional career in the Netherlands were not ideal, he attended ice hockey camps in North America at the age of seven. He then moved to Canada with his entire family at the age of 11. Via the USHL and NCAA (Quinnipiac University), he went to the AHL and ECHL from 2013 to 2015. Dalhuisen returned to Europe for the first time in 2015 at the age of 25 to celebrate the Danish championship title with Esbjerg Energy. This was followed by spells in Kazakhstan, Germany and Slovakia. In mid-February 2022, he moved to Salzburg in the win2day ICE Hockey League. A few weeks later, the Dutchman lifted the championship trophy after the Red Bulls' play-off sweep. The defenceman recorded three goals, four assists and a +19 rating in 18 games. After winning the title, Dalhuisen decided to move to HCB Südtirol Alperia. He won the regular season with the "Foxes" and only lost to his former team in the game seven of the finals. 

You and your team are currently playing in the „Erste Liga“ play-offs. How is the season going for you?

“My season is going well. It’s a totally different life experience living in Romania after Salzburg and Bolzano, but everything has its ups and downs and I try to make the best out of every situation. Just like my time in both Salzburg and Bolzano, I’ve met some amazing people here which is one of the best parts about getting to see the world and play hockey at the same time.”

Are you still following the ICE Hockey League?
“I follow the win2day ICE hockey league very closely. If I’m not playing myself I watch as many games as I can. I’m a huge hockey nerd so whenever there is hockey to be seen, I’m watching.”


Mike Dalhuisen won the Karl Nedwed Trophy with Salzburg.

Your former teams face each other in the semifinals. What memories do you have of Salzburg and Bolzano?
“I can talk for hours about my memories from Salzburg and Bolzano. Logically the Salzburg memory that stands out the most is the championship run where we swept the entire playoffs without losing a game. I felt so welcome on my arrival by the guys and we were treated like gold by everyone from the team, staff, and fans. Now Bolzano is a totally different story. Bolzano has, and will always have a special place in my heart. Firstly we lived at a little family owned farm surrounded by grapefields with some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. I arrived there as a stranger and truly felt as though I gained some family members when I left. The same can be said for the people of Bolzano. I’ve played hockey in a lot of countries, and cities, but never have I seen passion like that of the Bolzano supporters. Even talking about this right now, I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it. They were absolutely far and beyond the best fans anywhere I’ve ever seen. Those people live for the hockey team and it made me dig just a little deeper each night. For that team and those fans I would have blocked a shot with my mouth if it meant stopping the puck from going into the net, I loved that place.”

Bolzano can make it to the finals at home on Saturday. How important is the home advantage?
“Bolzano playing at home naturally gives them that extra energy which the fans there offer them on any given night. But of course Salzburg being Salzburg, always has been able to perform in high pressure situations so it will be a great game that if I don’t play myself I’ll be sure to watch again.”

How do you motivate yourself for a game, or what is your advice for other players?
“Be a true warrior! Leave it all out on the ice; do everything you can to help your team succeed. Be able to look yourself in the mirror after the game, win or lose, and be proud of the person you see looking back at you. I say that to myself before a game and I also advise other players to do the same."

Semifinal six between the HCB Südtirol Alperia and the EC Red Bull Salzburg is available on PULS 24 from 17:45 on Saturday.