South Tyrolean Stars Headline italy’s Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Squad
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Italy’s women’s ice hockey team is poised to make a strong showing at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, bolstered by the inclusion of five talented players from South Tyrol. The nominations, announced Tuesday by the Italian ice sports association FISG, mark a significant moment for the region and a step forward for women’s hockey in Italy.
Olympic Dreams Realized
The Azzurre will begin their Olympic journey against Canada on February 6th at the PalaLydia in Turin. following the opening match, they face a challenging schedule including Sweden on February 7th, Japan on February 9th, and Germany on February 10th.To advance to the knockout phase, Italy must secure a top-three finish in their group.
South Tyrol’s Rising Stars
The South Tyrolean contingent includes Laura Lobis (Kaltern), Franziska Stocker (Leifers), Anna Caumo (Brunico), manuela Heidenberger (Oberbozen), and Sara Kaneppele (Tramin). The squad has faced a last-minute adjustment with the removal of Caldaro’s Samantha Gius due to a knee injury sustained in October.
Laura Lobis, a 19-year-old forward, is considered one of South Tyrol’s most promising ice hockey talents. Despite a setback from a serious knee injury,Lobis has demonstrated her skill playing in Switzerland and sweden,and currently competes for the Eagles Bozen,as well as the U19 team of SV Kaltern – notably,alongside male players. her brother, Alan Lobis, is a striker for Pustertal.
Veteran defender Franziska Stocker, 28, brings a wealth of experience to the team, having spent the last two years playing for Södertälje in Sweden, with prior stints in Finland and Switzerland.anna Caumo, a 23-year-old forward from Bruneck, recently completed three seasons with college teams in the United States.
Rounding out the South Tyrolean representation are Sara Kaneppele,a 22-year-old attacker from Tramin who has been a consistent presence with the Eagles Bozen after two years in Ingolstadt,and Manuela Heidenberger,the youngest member of the squad at 18. Heidenberger has honed her skills in Finland for the past two years, following experience with the Eagles Bozen and in Switzerland.
Full Azzurre Roster
The complete Italian squad for the Olympic Games includes:
Goaltenders: Gabriella Frances Durante (Real Torino), martina Fedel (University of Guelph/Canada), Margherita Ostoni (Pinerolo Ghiaccio)
defense: Laura Fortino (Real Torino), Christian Guerrier (EV 84 Eagles), Laura lobis (SV Kaltern), Nadia Mattivi (Lulea HF/Sweden), Jacqueline Pierri, Franziska Stocker (Södertalje/sweden), Amie Fielding Varano (Malmo Redhawks/Sweden)
Attack: Aurora enrica Abatangelo (Davos/Switzerland), Eleonora Bonafiri, Anna Caumo (HC pustertal Junior), Kristin della Rovere, Matilde Fantin (Penn State University/USA), Manuela Heidenberger (HPK/Finland), Sara Caneppele (Eagles), Marta Mazzocchi (ASD Aosta Gladiators), Greta Niccolai (Ambrì Piotta/Schweiz), Justine Reyes (MoDo Hockey/Sweden), Rebecca Roccella (Davos/Schweiz), Carola Saletta (Friborg/Schweiz), Kayla Tutino (Real Torino)
The inclusion of thes five players from South Tyrol underscores the growing strength of ice hockey within the region and signals a promising future for the Azzurre as they compete on the Olympic stage.
