The Ticinonews Sport program dealt with the issue of the future of the Bellinzona Rockets team in its edition yesterday, January 9, 2024, hosting club president Matteo Mozzini and sports director Nicola Pini.
In this regard, theHockey Club Lugano confirms here that it was contacted during December 2023 by the management of the Bellinzona Rockets, which explained the different scenarios regarding the future of the project from the 2024/25 season, agreeing to a response by mid-January.
After discussing the issue internally, the HCL matured in its conviction not to change its position on the issue of a Ticino team in the Swiss League, which had already been publicly stated last spring.
HCL therefore maintains its strategic decision to focus on youth training through significant investments in its Youth Section.
The bianconera club will continue to develop its best prospects close to the level of the first team, taking advantage of its infrastructure, specific training and the experience of its coaches, and also benefiting from the opportunity granted by the regulations of National League to be able to field four boys of under-22 age in the U20 Elite league.
In the case of under-22 boys under contract with the HCL for whose growth it will be considered preferable to play in a Swiss League team, the solution will be found ad hoc.
In general terms, in the mind ofHockey Club Lugano, the recent transition of the project from the Ticino Rockets to the Bellinzona Rockets has not in fact changed the sporting essence and the overall picture of the situation.
In particular, the HCL reiterates that, in its opinion, there are not enough young players in our Canton to feed two National League teams, a Swiss League team, two teams participating in the U20 Elit league, and an additional team for the MyHockey League.