Release from 21.07.2022

Ryan Culkin moves to Bolzano

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The defensive department of HCB Südtirol Alperia will be strengthened by Canadian Ryan Culkin. The 28-year-old defender is familiar with the win2day ICE Hockey, having played in the jerseys of Bratislava and Znojmo in the last two seasons.

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Montreal native Ryan Culkin has already caught the eye in the QMJHL and was drafted in the fifth round by the Calgary Flames in 2012. However, he did not make it to any NHL duty and shuttled between the American Hockey League and the ECHL from 2014 to 2020. His adventure in Europe began at the start of 2020, when he debuted in the jersey of the Bratislava Capitals in the win2day ICE Hockey League: in Slovakia he scored 13 points in 31 games (4 goals and 9 assists). Culkin really hit his stride last season with HC Orli Znojmo, where he recorded 39 points in 54 appearances (12 goals and 27 assists). As a result, he was his team's best defenseman and fifth-best in the entire championship.

Ryan Culkin: "Bolzano is a winning club with a great tradition, that's why I chose the Foxes. In these two years I always enjoyed playing against the White Reds, even if I often lost as an opponent. I know the passion of the fans, it's never easy for the opponent to play in this stadium and I'm looking forward to playing for this crowd, it will give us the energy we need. Personally, I want to play a consistent championship: last year was very positive for me, but I want to improve even more and give everything, both defensively and offensively. I want my teammates to be able to rely on me and of course the goal is to win the championship."

For the Canadian defenseman, it will be a reunion in Bolzano with coach Glen Hanlon, who was already head coach in Znojmo last year: "Ryan is a complete player. He can play to his potential in all zones of the ice. He's a good defender, but he can also set the tempo for the offense with accurate passes, plus he knows the league and I know he's looking forward to the adventure in Bolzano."