Ex-Union star Valery-Trabucco signs in Italy

by Ryan Fay

Former Union standout Mario Valery-Trabucco is taking his game to Italy next season.

Valery-Trabucco

The forward confirmed to Union Hockey Blog on Monday that he signed with SG Cortina for the 2015-16 season. The club plays in the Serie A, the top level of professional hockey in Italy.

"I'm excited to head to Cortina," Valery-Trabucco said in a direct message on Twitter. "It seemed like a great place to play. I just got my Italian passport, so an Italian team seemed like a no-brainer. I hear the city is awesome [with] beautiful scenery. [The team] has a good rink and is surrounded by a good coaching staff."

The 28-year-old spent last year with the DEL2's Starbulls Rosenheim, a second-level pro team in Germany. He led the club in scoring with 27 goals and 26 assists in 50 games.

In addition to Germany, the sixth-year pro has also had stops in Sweden, Finland and the American Hockey League.

Valery-Trabucco is the second former Union player to come to terms with a Serie A team this offseason. The other is forward Jason Walters, one of his teammates on the Dutchmen. He re-signed with Sterzing/Vipiteno in May.

Known as "Super Mario," Valery-Trabucco starred for Union from 2006-10. He ranks eighth in the program's Division I era in career points with 114 (59 goals and 55 assists).

Valery-Trabucco's 2014-15 highlights (via YouTube user Kela Cook)



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