Release from 09.07.2018

Milan and Pustertal strengthen offense

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While HC Pustertal added Italian national team forward Markus Gander, the league's new arrival Hockey Milano Rossoblu signed Canadian Francis Verreault-Paul, who played for Sterzing two years ago. In addition, Zell am See and Jesenice announced some contract extensions.

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After the signing of Tommaso Traversa HC Pustertal have added another national team player to their roster: Markus Gander comes from HCB Südtirol Alperia, where he played the last six years, to Brunico. The 29 years-old started to play hockey at Sterzing and made his Serie A2 debut for the Broncos at the age of only 16 years. After some years with his home club and one season in the North American youth league NAHL for North Iowa Outlaws, Gander transferred to Bolzano in 2012. He played 271 Erste Bank Eishockey Liga games (93 points) and gained two championship titles with the "foxes". The winger played six World Championships for the Italian national team and was part of the 2018 team that made immediate comeback to the top flight in Budapest. The new arrival will wear the number "3" for Pustertal. "I'm looking forward to the new challenge, our strong team and the good atmosphere at Rienz stadium. I hope for a big and loud fan crowd as it was in the past when I came as opponent."
 
Verrault-Paul returns to AHL and joins Milan
Hockey Milano Rossoblu announced Francis Verreault-Paul as second import for their debut season. After some years in American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League the Canadian came to Europe for the first time in 2014 to play in Norway. After some more stopps in Switzerland and Denmark, the physical strong forward joined Sterzing Broncos. In the first ever season of Alps Hockey League he gained 49 points (27 goals, 22 assists) in 32 games. After earning as well more than a point for British side Milton Keynes Lightning last season, the 31 year-old signed for Milan. 
 
Two extensions and one signing in Zell am See
Home-grown Johannes Schernthaner signed a contract extension with EK Zeller Eisbären. In the past twelve years, the 26 year-old defender hit the ice for the polar bears 331 times, gaining 81 points. With Fabian Scholz another key player stays in Salzburg. At the age of 14 the native of Zell am See switched to the youth of Red Bull Salzburg. After some years in Austria and abroad the 28 years-old returned the Zell last season, gaining 61 points (16 goals, 45 assists). In addition, the organsiation added 19 year-old forward Florian Sinzinger, who comes from Salzburg, to their roster.
 
Two defenders stay in Jesenice
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice have extended the contracts of defenders Gasper Korosec and Lan Brun-Rauh. The 18 years-old Brun-Rauh gathered experience at senior level for the first time last season, getting one goal and three assists in 22 Alps Hockey League games. 19 years-old Korosec had twelve AHL games with four assists. Both also were part of the successful under 20 team that became runners-up in Erste Bank Young Stars League.