Italy begins World Championship campaign

While Serie A is playing its final seires, national team coach Rick Cornacchia released preliminary roster for training camp in Asiago from march 27. Italy will play two friendly matches against Poland on April 03 (in Asiago) and 04 (in Pergine). After the games Cornacchia will adjust roster, including also players from finalists Asiago and Val Pusteria.
On the way to WC in Budapest (15-24 april), Italy will play another two friendlies with definitive roster both against France, on april 09 (Asiago) and 10 (Pergine).
Preliminary roster is an interesting mix of veterans as Pat Iannone, Jonathan Pittis, Alexander Egger and Giulio Scandella and new faces, the most interesting is debut of Milano Rossoblu captain (Serie A2) Edoardo Caletti after an excellent season. Also Real Torino goalie Marcello Platé, despite a difficult season for his club, well deserves a cap, even if Italy goalie at WC should be Asiago number one Daniel Bellissimo.
In the roster also the squad of expats: goalie Andreas Bernard played an excellent season in Finland: debuted in SM-Liiga with SAiPa and has his contract extended, Nicola Fontanive was often awarded as MVP in Frisk Asker, despite club played far from top in Norway and Fontanive suffered a bothersome injury. "American" Thomas Larkin (the first ever Italian to br drafted in NHL) and Tommaso Traversa should have a chance to be on ice in Budapest.

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