Gangneung 2017: Italy team preview

Thirteen players from the Italian side that reached their best ever finish of fifth at a World Para Ice Hockey Championships in 2015 return to the ice for the 2017 edition in Gangneung, South Korea.

Coach Massimo Da Rin is clearly relying on a tested formula that he hopes will allow his team to move up the order once again between 11-20 April.

Their defence remains almost untouched with only one addition – Gianluca Cavaliere – who could not compete in 2015 due to a last minute injury. Andrea Macri, Roberto Radice, Gianluigi Radice and Bruno Balossetti all return to the back line.

On the attack Florian Planker and Nils Larch have been amongst those in good form this season. In a home tournament against Canada, Norway and South Korea, Italy finished third with goals from Larch, Planker, Gianluigi Rosa and Cavaliere across their five games.

Italy also played Norway at a pair of friendly games in November, leaving with two wins each both on penalties.

They are the 2016 European silver medallists.

Roster

Forwards

No. 27 – Alessandro Andreoni

No. 26 – Eusebiu Antochi

No. 68 – Valerio Corvino

No. 62 – Christoph Depaoli

No. 33 – Stephan Kafmann

No. 9 – Sandro Kalegaris

No. 11 - Nils Larch

No. 73 – Gregory Leperdi

No. 5 – Florian Planker

No. 7 – Werner Winkler

Defenders

No.14 – Bruno Balossetti

No. 6 – Gianluca Cavaliere

No. 18 – Andrea Macri

No. 8 – Roberto Radice

No. 3 – Gianluigi Rosa

Goaltenders

No.15 - Gabriele Araudo

No.1 – Santino Stillitano

Live coverage and the game schedule of the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships is available at Gangneung2017.com.

Gangneung 2017 also doubles as the Test Event for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. All games will be played at the Gangneung Hockey Centre.