Ice hockey is one of the most spectacular and thrilling sports to watch on the world stage. It captivates above all with its speed of play, rapid manoeuvres, and physical contact that tests even the toughest athletes. Spectators at an ice hockey match are completely enthralled and certainly never have a chance to be bored.
But what are the origins of this sport?
The first traces date back to 490 BC in ancient, athletic Athens. A bas-relief discovered many years ago depicts men pushing a ball with sticks. Other traces of a game reminiscent of hockey have been found in Mexico. In both cases, this sport was played on land. The discipline crossed into Europe, apparently via England where it took shape in the 1700s under the name "Bandy", subsequently spreading to other continental states, particularly Switzerland and Scandinavia. Across the ocean, Canada is undoubtedly the cradle of hockey. Its teams and those of the United States are clearly superior to those of other countries worldwide.
In Italy, this sport made a fleeting appearance in Turin in 1911 thanks to members of the Valentino Skating Club. However, it truly established itself thirteen years later in Milan with the opening of the ice palace, sparking a sort of hockey mania in the Lombard capital. Over the years, other important centres emerged, including Cortina and Bolzano, which drove the development of a sport now widely followed throughout the Alpine region.
In Val di Fassa, discussing ice hockey could be quite a lengthy conversation, as it's a much-loved sport whose official practice began back in 1955, with village teams staging epic encounters. But talking about hockey, or rather Hockey Club Fassa, means above all talking about Gianmario Scola. "Gianni" (as everyone knew him), along with Senator Ezio Anesi and a handful of other generous dreamers, represents one of those figures who made hockey history in the valley.
This history began in 1970 from the ashes of the former H.C. Canazei. Scola became president, remaining at the helm until 1988 with only two interruptions: first in the 1973/74 season and then in 1981/82 when he was forced to resign after being elected to the F.I.S.G. Federal Council. Sporting results immediately vindicated Scola's presidency, with immediate promotion to Serie B. Yet problems weren't lacking: there was no ice palace, for instance. They used a natural rink in Canazei park, which was watered in the evening, hoping the cold night temperatures would freeze it. Otherwise, home matches and training sessions were held in Alleghe or Val Gardena.
But the passion for hockey was so strong that finally in 1975, design work began on the ice rink that would only open in 1981. H.C. Fassa's ambitions grew: they aimed for Serie A, signing the Finn Kivela, one of the greatest and most beloved players to arrive in the valley. Coming from Innsbruck, Kivela scored 107 goals in his first season with Fassa, despite a serious injury keeping him off the ice for the entire latter part of the season. Among his records that year were 11 goals scored in a match against Vipiteno.
The time wasn't yet ripe for the big leap. The turning point came with Mustafà Besic's arrival. The 1984/85 season brought promotion to the top flight, forever linked to the names of Scola, Mustafà and goalkeeper Giorgio Tigliani. But Serie A wasn't an endpoint, rather a solid foundation. Brick by brick, H.C. Fassa proved increasingly competitive, reaching the championship final in 1988 against Jim Corsi's Varese. It was the Fassa of Delfino, Besic, Manno, Ciarcia, Stopczyk, Stuckey and Rassler, crucial mentors for the many academy products.
Meanwhile, the valley's passion for hockey and organisational prowess were rewarded with hosting the 1987 World Championships Group B. A success that President Scola barely had time to savour. Three years later, "Gianni" Scola was taken by an incurable illness. His loss left an unfillable void in everyone's hearts, forcing the organisation to restructure its management. Dr Vianini was appointed president with Andrea Weiss as general manager, plus concrete support from local entrepreneurs.
The International Federation then awarded Italy the 1994 Group A World Championships, and alongside Bolzano and Milan, Val di Fassa was chosen as a venue. Once again, local organisational capabilities were praised by the International Commission for the high professionalism shown throughout the event.
Success continued with Vianini's appointment as F.I.S.G. vice-president. He left the Fassa presidency to another local entrepreneur, Luigi Carpano. Leading the Fassa management, Carpano continued his predecessors' work with great commitment to uphold the club's reputation and realise Gianni Scola's dream in the ice palace that bears his name.
