September and the start of the new IhL season are still far away, but the revolution at Varese started immediately just one month after the final lost against Pergine. The Mastini, eager to return to winning ways after a positive year which ended without titles, have already changed several players and technical staff. It all started with the change in the bench: the yellow and black club and Niklas Czarnecki decided to separate after just one year. Gaber Glavic, a Slovenian born in 1978, former head coach of Jesenice with whom he won the Alps League in 2023 and his first experience in Italy as a coach, has landed in the Swedish coach’s place in Varese. The 46-year-old represents the profile sought by the club, that is, a young coach but accustomed to coaching teams in categories higher than the one in which Varese plays. “We are very happy with this choice. We strongly wanted a high profile coach with great experience at an international level who will give Varese added value”, explained the president of the Mastini, Carlo Bino.
In addition to the change between coaches, the yellow and black club has changed some elements of the roster. The “foreigner quota” remains unchanged for next year with only two players per team: in defense Erik Naslund has said goodbye and in place of the Swede (19 goals and 18 assists in the last season) the Finnish William Makinen, born in 1995, has arrived. , author of a great year in Appiano (14 goals and 24 assists): should guarantee Varese greater speed and offensive incisiveness. Now the Mastiffs are working for the foreign slot in attack. The Mexican Hector Majul, who arrived last December, is unlikely to remain at coach Glavic’s court. In case of farewell, Varese dreams of Adam Capannelli’s return. The Canadian, who wore the yellow and black shirt in 2022, scored 35 goals in 51 appearances for Vipiteno last season.
As regards the Italian base, the Mastini aim to confirm at least 70% of the squad. But in the meantime Michele Vignoli has left Varese, still in defence. In his place here is Marco Matonti, a 21 year old also arriving from the Alps League and considered among the best promises on the hockey scene. “In Varese I have already played as an opponent and I also know that I wasn’t much loved by the home crowd. But I think that many also recognize some qualities in me. I know that here we play to win and I hope to give my contribution”, underlined Matonti.
Alessandro Stella
