Release from 09.09.2026

Vlastimil Dostálek: “We need to create that small family again”

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For the first time in club history, HC Gherdeina valgardena.it will enter an Alps Hockey League season as the defending champion. Ahead of the start of the new campaign, Vlastimil Dostálek talks about last season’s historic title run, the new role as the team to beat and what it will take to compete for the trophy again.

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Vlastimil, it’s been a few months since your historic championship win. Looking back now, have you and the team fully realized what an incredible achievement that was?
Vlastimil Dostálek: “I think after a couple of months we realized what we did and what we achieved. For the fans and the club, it was a historic moment, and of course we also realized what a journey it was to win the cup. We really appreciate having been part of it.”

This season, you’ll be the defending champions and the team everyone wants to beat. How do you feel about taking on that new role?
Vlastimil Dostálek: “I guess it’s going to be a new role for most of the guys and for the team as well. But it’s up to us how we deal with that and how we approach it. I think we need to build a really good team and have a strong locker room. I think we have a really good chance to be successful, and I don’t think the new role is going to be a big deal for us.”

What will be the key for your team to build on last season’s success and compete for the championship again?
Vlastimil Dostálek: “I think we played really well defensively last season and, as I said, we had a really good locker room. We need to create that small family again, just like last year. We have to be really close to each other and show that on the ice as well. That’s the only way we can be successful against the top teams in the league and win games.”