Release from 20.08.2026

Pustertal Center Alan Lobis: “We’re eager to be up there again”

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Twenty-two-year-old Alan Lobis made an immediate impact in his first season with HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, impressing throughout his debut campaign. The center made 53 appearances for the runners-up, recording 15 points. In an interview, the South Tyrolean looks back on his first season in Bruneck, discusses the importance of team spirit and looks ahead to the upcoming season.

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Pustertal's run to the championship final was one of the biggest surprises of last season. Alan Lobis was right at the heart of it, making an instant impact in his first full season with the club. The trust he received from the coaching staff played an important role. “Without the coach’s trust, I wouldn’t have had such a good season. He supported me, pushed me and gave me opportunities, which I then tried to make the most of. These opportunities are very important for us young players so that we can continue to develop,” the 22-year-old said.

Team spirit was another key factor behind Pustertal's successful campaign, according to Lobis: “It was a great season. We felt comfortable from the very beginning, the team spirit was strong, and that was reflected throughout the season. As younger players, we were able to learn a lot from the more experienced guys, but we also showed that we could keep up.”

For Lobis, the move to Bruneck also represented another important step in his development. Before joining Pustertal, the center spent several years with the Rittner Buam SkyAlps in the Alps Hockey League. He had already made three appearances for Pustertal on loan during the 2024/25 season before making his permanent move to Bruneck in spring 2025. Lobis made 103 appearances for Ritten, collecting an impressive 85 points. In 2024, he also won the Alps Hockey League title with the “Buam”.

Looking back, Lobis sees the Alps Hockey League as an important foundation for his development: “The Alps Hockey League was a good stepping stone. In the win2day ICE Hockey League, everything is even more professional: you have more training sessions, the game is faster and more physical, and the overall quality is even higher.”

After last season's success, the runners-up are now among the teams expected to challenge at the top. Lobis, however, does not feel under pressure: “After such a strong season, we are not under pressure, but expectations are always a good thing. It means that you have certain ambitions – as a team and also our fans. Pustertal is well known for being hockey-crazy.”

There have also been some changes to the roster over the summer, although the core of the team has remained together. Six new players have joined the club, while eight players have moved to new teams or ended their careers. Lobis sees the continuity as an advantage heading into the new season: “A lot has stayed the same with our team, which is certainly an advantage. We want to make a good start in preseason and attack again when the season begins. We’re eager to be up there again and make another deep run. It will be important to put in consistently strong performances and to stay composed when we are leading games and close them out.”