In recent years, the German men’s national ice hockey team has taken big strides in the development of their program. They currently sit seventh in the IIHF World Rankings, and have a talented group of young players on the way. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Germany is able to surpass the Czech Republic into the “Elite 6” hockey nations in the world, joining Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the USA.
The 2020 NHL awards, and 2020 NHL entry draft (both held virtually) was a historic one for Germany.
Leon Draisaitl became the first German to win the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Art Ross Trophy. He’s had two straight seasons of 100+ points. In 71 games, he had 110 points (43 G, 67 A), 18 penalty minutes, and was a -7.
For the first time in NHL history, two Germans were chosen in the first round of the 2020 NHL entry draft. Tim Stuetzle (Adler Mannheim-DEL) was drafted third overall by the Ottawa Senators, and Lukas Reichel (Berlin-DEL) was drafted seventeenth overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Additionally, John-Jason Peterka (Munich-DEL) was selected thirty-fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
Stuetzle, Reichel, and Peterka all played for Germany at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. Germany finished 9th after defeating Kazakhstan in a best of three relegation series. The trio combined for 16 points (7 G, 9 A).
Germany will be in Group A at the 2021 IIHF World Juniors along with Canada, Finland, Switzerland, and Slovakia. They will play Finland on December 25th at 6pm ET/4pm MT., vs Canada on December 26th at 6pm ET/4pm MT., vs Slovakia on December 28th at 9:30pm ET/7:30pm MT., and vs Switzerland on December 30th at 6pm ET/4pm MT. I would expect Germany to finish third or fourth in Group A and qualify for the quarter-finals.
A little over two years ago, Germany had one of their greatest moments in their history. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, they nearly won the gold medal, although there were no NHL players, they proved the world wrong, and showed that their top league, the DEL, produces some of the best players in Europe.
They were in Group C alongside Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
- Round Robin game #1: vs Finland (5-2 loss).
- Round Robin game #2: vs Sweden (1-0 loss).
- Round Robin game #3: vs Norway (2-1 shootout win).
- Qualification round: (8) Switzerland vs (9) Germany (2-1 overtime win).
- Quarter-Final: (1) Sweden vs (9) Germany (4-3 overtime win).
- Semi-Final: (4) Canada vs (9) Germany (4-3 win).
- Gold Medal Game: (3) Olympic Athletes from Russia vs (9) Germany (4-3 overtime loss).
It was their first ever Olympic silver medal, and only their third time winning a medal at the Olympics after receiving bronze in 1932 and 1976.
Danny aus den Birken was named goaltender of the tournament by the directorate.
At the 2019 IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championships finished 6th following a loss to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. It was their highest finish since the 2010 IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championships where they hosted the tournament and finished 4th after losing to Sweden in the bronze medal game. They have been in the top division of the World Championships since 2007.
The future for Germany is very bright, with Stuetzle, Reichel, Peterka, Moritz Seider, as well as superstar Leon Draisaitl.
Their group for the 2022 Winter Olympics consists of Canada, the USA, and China. With NHL players likely returning to the Olympics in 2022, Germany will have a big talent pool to choose from including Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stuetzle, Lukas Reichel, J.J. Peterka, Moritz Seider, Dominik Kahun, Philipp Grubauer, Thomas Greiss, Tom Kuhnhackl, Markus Eisenschmid, Mathias Niederberger, Korbinian Holzer, Dominik Bokk, and Justin Schutz.
Do I think Germany will medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics? It’s certainly possible, but given that NHL players are back at the Olympics, it will be very tough. I would expect them to make it to the Quarter-Finals, but depending on how the playoff bracket works out, a Semi-Final appearance could be possible, and a chance to play for a medal would be guaranteed.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading my blogs over the last five months, I greatly appreciate it!
-Cooper.