Release from 03.06.2023

Vallini moves to Bolzano | VSV brings Hancock back into the league

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The HCB Südtirol Alperia announced the signing of goalie Gianluca Vallini. The native of Bolzano played for the last four years with Asiago. In addition, Kevin Hancock joins EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV. The Canadian returns to the league, as he played for the Dornbirn Bulldogs two years ago (35 points in 40 games).

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Gianluca Vallini is the first player born and raised in Bolzano in the jersey of the Foxes after Alexander Egger. The netminder started his career in the ranks of EV Bozen. After two years in North America, Vallini returned to Italy, where he played for Val Gardena, Vipiteno and Asiago in the Alps Hockey League, among others. The 29-year-old also went to the win2day ICE Hockey League with Asiago. In the past season he played 21 games and had a .909 save percentage.

"I want to play as many games as possible. I want to show that I am on top of my game and that I can help the team at any moment: the ambition of Bolzano is always to be in the front, it has been the case in the past and it will be the case this year," says the new arrival.

VSV brings Hancock back to the league
VSV fills the last import position with Kevin Hancock, who signed a two-year contract. The 25-year-old Canadian knows the league, having played for Dornbirn in the 2021/22 season (35 points in 40 games). Due to his strong performances with the Vorarlberg team, he also attracted attention in Sweden: In the last season, the center was on the ice for Mora IK in the Allsvenskan. And there, too, he impressed with a total of 30 points, including 13 goals.

"We deliberately chose a young player with high potential. Kevin is a playmaker with very good skills who not only makes his teammates better, but is also a goal scorer. He has proven that in his two years in Europe, both in our international league and most recently in Sweden. We are glad that we were able to sign him," reports EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV Managing Director Martin Winkler.