Diego Kostner is a new Milano player. The 34-year-old South Tyrolean leaves Ambrì-Piotta after ten years and joins an Italian club for the first time, following a career spent entirely on Swiss ice. The deal was wrapped up within a matter of hours, helped by the strong motivation of the Italy international: "It all happened very quickly," said Kostner, "but I believe it's the right choice for me given the situation that developed this year. The Milano project intrigues me and I can't wait to get started. It's a city with an important hockey history, and I experienced the strong passion of the public first-hand during the Olympics."
With his medical and the paperwork completed in record time, Kostner is now on his way to join the Rossoblù in Salzburg, ready to make his contribution: "I already know some of the players from the national team, and I had Shedden as my coach many years ago in Lugano. I don't think settling in will be a problem. I'll arrive and go straight onto the ice – I'm really fired up!"
After leaving his native Val Gardena at 15 for a first experience with Pikes Oberthurgau, Kostner moved to Lugano in 2009, where he completed his youth development before making his NLA debut and carving out an important role as a versatile, hard-working forward, able to play both on the wing and at centre. After five seasons with the Bianconeri, Kostner moved to Ambrì-Piotta, where for ten years he stood out for his commitment and tactical value. He has enjoyed a long international career with Italy, culminating in his participation at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
He is a valuable addition for coach Shedden, who will be without Allison and Finoro for tomorrow's tricky clash with Red Bull Salzburg (3 pm, live on Sporteurope.tv). Salzburg have opened the season with five defeats in seven games, though they come into the match off a win against the Pioneers. After the slip-up in Villach, which cost them top spot in the standings to Bolzano, the Rossoblù face the last of a run of eight consecutive away games before finally settling into their home at the Fiera Ice Arena.
