Release from 16.05.2021

MVP McGowan stays with Val Gardena I Frei returns to Ritten

Short text 497 CharactersPlain text

The MVP of the last Alps Hockey League season, Brad McGowan, will continue to play for the HC Gherdeina valgardena.it in the upcoming season. It will already be the third season of the Canadian in the jersey of the South Tyroleans. The Rittner Buam succeeded a transfer coup. The AHL champion of 2017 signed Alex Frei. The 28-years-old was already active with the "Buam" from 2012 to 2013 and 2015 to 2020. Last season, Frei was under contract with AHL finalist Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey.

Press release 1681 CharactersPlain text

Brad McGowan has been playing for the HC Gherdeina valgardena.it since the season 2019/20. While the Canadian was already able to finish second in the MVP voting in his first season with the "Furie", the 31-years-old left wing finally crowned himself MVP of the Alps Hockey League last season. In 85 games so far, the left-shooter scored 162 points (65G / 97A). In addition, Gherdeina announced the signing of Hannu Järvenpää as new head coach. The 57-years-old Finn has already been active as coach in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League for many years.



Alex Frei returns to Ritten
Alex Frei was already active with the Rittner Buam from 2012 to 2013 and 2015 to 2020. At the beginning of last season, the 28-years-old finally moved to Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey. With the Italians he reached the finals of the Alps Hockey League and he was crowned Italian champion for the fifth time.

Ritten sports director Adolf Insam on the return of Frei: "We are very happy that Alex Frei is back in our ranks to hunt for goals. He wanted to try something new last year and try himself as a full professional. After he is needed in the parental business and he can therefore not play hockey full-time, his return resulted. Alex has always been a top performer for the Rittner Buam and with his easy-going manner he is also very important for the cabin."

Santeri Heiskanen's team will enter training on Monday, May 17th and will work exclusively on physical form in the coming weeks. The first sessions on ice are expected to be held at the end of August.



Copyright: Studio Kostner - creative photography