Release from 15.01.2025

Joachim Ramoser: “My love for the sport made me want to play hockey again”

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For many years, Joachim Ramoser was one of the greatest talents in Italian hockey. Born in Bolzano, he made it all the way to the DEL via the renowned academy in Salzburg. However, his career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries, forcing him to take a temporary break from professional sport in 2020. Now the 29-year-old forward is attempting a comeback with the Rittner Buam SkyAlps in the Alps Hockey League. Ramoser has already been on the ice in two games, scoring one point. In an in-depth interview, he talks about the difficult past few years, the joy of finally being back in the game and the small goals he has set himself for this season and the future.

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“What made me want to play hockey again was clearly my love for the sport,” explains Joachim Ramoser. “Everything that goes with it - being part of a team again, wanting to win games and simply being on the ice - I've missed a lot in recent years.” However, after numerous injuries and a long break, returning was not an easy step: “I tried to distance myself from hockey, but I was never able to completely forget it. Especially at such a young age, it's hard to just stop. Filling this gap was very, very difficult. That's why I tried to work my way back step by step, without pushing myself. I just wanted to see if it might work out again.”

Fortunately, it did! Last week, Ramoser played his first two games for the Rittner Buam SkyAlps and even made his first assist. Overall, these were his first games since 2020, when he was on the ice for the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in the DEL. “Of course you set yourself goals for the first game, but my first thought was simply to play again,” says the 29-year-old. “The training beforehand was good for me, but there's a big difference between training and playing. I spoke a lot with the coach, who was always willing to listen. He asked me if I wanted to go on the ice or skip a shift - I didn't have that in the DEL.”

The second game against the Red Bull Hockey Juniors, in which he scored his first point since his return, was particularly emotional for Ramoser. “That was a relief and the boys were all happy for me,” said the forward. Ramoser himself spent two years at Salzburg's academy as a youngster. Looking back, he speaks full of appreciation about his time in Salzburg: “That was definitely the best time for me in the youth academy. We played in the Russian league, which was a great experience. Every trip was a new adventure and the team was incredible. Salzburg has a youth system that works very well and I like to think back to that time.”

Ritten, the reigning champion of the Alps Hockey League, are also at the top of the table this season with 64 points. Joachim Ramoser, who has deliberately kept his distance from hockey in recent years, has only followed the league on the sidelines, but is aware of the strength of his new team: “Ritten is in a great position. You can see that they play with character and of course we want to repeat last year's championship. I know how difficult it is to become champion or make it to the playoffs. That's why I'll try to do my best.”

At the age of 29, Ramoser is now one of the most experienced players in the squad. However, he does not see himself as a classic mentor: “I wouldn't describe myself as a mentor. I've tried to get involved in the team and said that I don't care where or how much I play - I just want to be there and see how it goes.”

In the long term, the Bolzano native finds it difficult to define goals. He prefers to live in the here and now: “Successes and goals develop over time. I'm not going to set myself any big goals. I'm just happy to be here. Two years ago, I wouldn't have thought that I would be playing again or that my body would allow it.”

Joachim Ramoser and the Rittner Buam SkyAlps will play their next match on Thursday at S.G. Cortina Hafro. Watch the game live on valcome.tv from 20:30.

Copyright: Max Pattis