Following their preparatory victory over Austria, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) has announced additional roster decisions, signaling a significant boost from the NHL. Nico Sturm of the San Jose Sharks, John-Jason Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken will join the team starting next Wednesday for the fourth and final phase of preparations. “After securing their personal commitments, we have now completed all the necessary formalities,” said DEB Sports Director Christian Künast. He added, “They will bring their unique personalities and skills to the team.”
The situation with defenseman Moritz Seider, however, remains uncertain. The 23-year-old, who narrowly missed the NHL playoffs with the Detroit Red Wings, is currently without a contract, complicating his potential participation due to insurance issues. Despite this, Künast mentioned that there is “very good communication” ongoing about the matter.
The German team achieved their second win in the preparations last Thursday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen against Austria and is scheduled to face Austria again this Saturday in Zell am See. In the last two matches on May 4th and 6th against France, players from the DEL finalists, Eisbären Berlin and Fischtown Pinguins, are expected to join the NHL recruits. The World Championship for the German squad begins on May 10th in Ostrava against Slovakia.
Here’s a glance at the DEB’s roster composition:
Goalkeepers: Tobias Ancicka (Kölner Haie), Florian Bugl (Straubing Tigers), Mathias Niederberger (Red Bull München), Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken).
Defense: Tobias Fohrler (HC Ambri Piotta/Switzerland), Leon Hüttl, Fabio Wagner (both ERC Ingolstadt), Julius Karrer, Marcus Weber (both Nürnberg Ice Tigers), Moritz Müller, Jan Luca Sennhenn (both Kölner Haie), Colin Ugbekile (Iserlohn Roosters), Mario Zimmermann (Straubing Tigers).
Forwards: Alexander Ehl (Düsseldorfer EG), Daniel Fischbusch, Matthias Plachta (both Adler Mannheim), Yasin Ehliz, Maximilian Kastner (both Red Bull München), Daniel Pfaffengut (Schwenninger Wild Wings), Dominik Kahun (SC Bern/Switzerland), Philipp Krauß, Wojciech Stachowiak (both ERC Ingolstadt), Marc Michaelis (EV Zug/Switzerland), Joshua Samanski, Parker Tuomie (both Straubing Tigers), Justin Schütz (Kölner Haie), Samuel Soramies (Augsburger Panther), Nico Sturm, John-Jason Peterka.
This influx of NHL experience is expected to significantly enhance the team’s performance as they head into the World Championships.
