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Ivo Jaschick's
Eye on Europe
Reporting from Germany and across Europe 

German Hockey League 07/08
PREVIEW

PHOTOS BY MATHIAS LEHMAN & IVO JASCHICK

SEPT 6, 2007 --  Last year's winner, the Mannheim Eagles, is the favorite to win the championship because they are full of superstars at  all positions. Only three teams are serious rivals in the hunt for the championship: Duesseldorf Metro Stars, Cologne Sharks & maybe the Hamburg Freezers.

Behind this group are at least seven teams with the best chances to reach the playoffs: Polarbears Berlin, Frankfurt Lions, Hanover Scorpions, Ingolstadt Panthers, Iserlohn Roosters, Krefeld Penguins & Sinupret Ice Tigers.

Cologne's Dave McLlwain became the league's top scorer in the autumn of his career. At the age of 39 he led all scorers with 21 goals & 41 assists.

The other teams, Augsburger Panthers, Foxes Duisburg, Straubing Tigers, Grizzly Adam Wolfsburg, normaly are without any chance of reaching the post  season.

The teams are listed in order they are finishing the regular season.

Each team receives grades for various aspects of the game:
1-10 (10 best)

1. Mannheim Eagles
(www.adler-mannheim.de)

From 0 to 100 MPH in no time:  After missing out on playoffs two years ago, GM Marcus Kuhl hired a new coach (former national coach Greg Poss) and went shopping on the hockey market. The Eagles, sponsored by electronic giant SAP had enough money to buy only the best. The only question had been if Poss knows a way to make a team out of many chiefs – now we know: he did! The Eagles were built nearly perfectly and management only had to make few (6) changes in the team.

Goaltending: Although Jean-Marc Pelletier (now a Freezer) had been one of the best in the playoffs, they decided to bring former Shark Adam Hauser (good season in Cologne) onboard. This decision was made before the playoffs started, otherwise there wouldn´t have been the need of getting a new goalie. As back-ups there are: Robert Mueller (returns after recovering from a cancerous tumor in his head last season) and Finn Ilpo Kauhanen. Each of them could be the number one netminder. 10

Defense: Here GM Kuhl and Poss only had to compensate for the departure of Stephan Retzer (Freezers), hiring the young Stefan Langwieder (20) who had been in the WHL last year with the Portland Winter Hawks. The rest of the defense stayed together and will form a better unit. 10

Offense: The club substituted only three attackers – for Nathan Robinson (became a Polarbear), Sachar Blank (went to the Fishtown Penguins, 2. League, Fabio Carciola (became a Metro Stars) they got goalgetter Michael Hackert from the Lions and two young forwards for the future (Philipp Schlager (21) & Frank Mauer (19). 10

The road to the championship goes through Mannheim!

2. Duesseldorf Metro Stars
(www.deg-metro-stars.de)

 Goaltending: NHL goalie Jamie Storr advanced to be the best of the DEL last season. His backup Jochen Reimer only played 120:06 minutes over the whole time but showed his talent in this time. #3 will be Daniel Wrobel who came from (Bietigheim, 2. League). 10

 Defense: GM Lance Nethery strengthened the defense by bringing more power and support to the ISS Dome. New defensemen include Andy Hedlund, who tried to get an NHL contract but played in the AHL instead (Binghamton, Hershey), Peter Ratchuk (AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Houston), Czech Robert Kantor (Sweden) – the players in front of Storr seem to form a better bulwark than last season. Dusseldorf’s defense will cause a lot of problems for the opponents. 9

Offense: “Centers are the basis for offensive play” says new coach Slavomir Lehner! There are excellent centers in their Dusseldorf’s lines: Rob Collins, Brandon Reid (Vancouver (NHL), Manitoba Moose (AHL)) and Norwegian star Tore Vikingstad. But don´t forget ex NHLers Charlie Stephens & Jeff Panzer. 9

With all these stars in the lineup they seem to be the most serious opponent for our predicted champ Mannheim.

3. Cologne Sharks
(www.haie.de)

Head coach Doug Mason and Co-Coach Clayton Beddoes made some moves to make their offensive style better.

“We substituted some players and hope we made the team more attractive and more dangerous for the opponents, says Mason.  “We also hope they will bring more intelligence into the game. This was the reason we lost the semifinals (last season).”

Goaltending: In goal, GM Rodion Pauels made a perfect move. Upon discovering that number one netminder Adam Hauser was joining Mannheim, Pauels worked like hell to get a very good goalkeeper and found one in Russia.

Travis Scott, with one game of NHL experience for Los Angeles (00-01), decided to make a career choice.  . After achieving his goal of winning a title with Metalurg Magnitogorsk (Russian Super League Champ 2006-07) , Scott has found a new challenge in Cologne. In Scott, Sharks´ management is confident that they have replaced Hauser sufficiently. 10

Defense: The Sharks lost a lot of power in this section. National defender Lasse Kopitz departed, together with Jason Marshall (NHL) to Frankfurt to become a Lion. Only youngsters remain, to replace the two.  Torsten Ankert (19), and Moritz Mueller (20) are good, but young, and they still need an experienced defenseman to play at a high level for a long time. 7

Offense: Here the Sharks became better. 28 year old Kamil Piros came from Switzerland and everybody expects a lot of this fast and technically experienced Czech. Todd Warriner (former NHL, last year, DEL’s Scorpions), Marcel Mueller (Polarbears) and Alexej Dmitiev (Roosters) join Cologne. Warriner brings a lot of grit and power to the team and with Mueller and Dmitriev, coach Mason has two German players whom he still can develop.  Not to mention the return of Sean Tallaire after tearing his cruciate ligament.

Mason has the task to carefully introduce young attackers Jerome Flaake (17), Philipp Buermann (18), Marc Wittfoth (18) & defender Soeren Sturm (17), who are coming out of juniors to play in the DEL this year.If they develop as it is expected, no fan or official of the Sharks has to worry about the team. 9

4. Hamburg Freezers
(www.hamburg-freezers.de)

Since becoming the Freezers in 2002 the club has only advanced to the semifinals once (03/04). The quarterfinal had been the end of the season in all previous years, although management spoke often about reaching the finals. In the beginning, back in 2002, the arena was filled with a sellout crowd of 12,759 spectators. Last season ’only‘ 10,293 people were visiting the games although the actual attendance had been poor.

Goaltending: With Jean-Marc Pelletier, who had been the calm guarantor for the victories of the champ Mannheim Eagles during the playoffs. Together with the 29 year old goaltender came the German Daniar Dshunussow from the Polarbears. Both showed in their last team what they can do. The position between the pipes won´t be to worry about. 9

Defense: Although they strengthened this part in front of the goalie there are some more questions. Alain Letang became seriously ill, is back now but nobody knows whether he is okay now. Marty Wilford and Andy Delmore came from the American Hockey League (Iowa Stars; Springfield Falcons) and Stefan Retzer from Mannheim to help the. 7

Offense: This section is very dangerous for all opponents. Brad Smyth and Francois Fortier were numbers two and three, respectively, in DEL scoring. With the dangerous Alexander Barta, Austrian goalgetter Christoph Brandner, Marc Beaucage, national forward John Tripp, Peter Sarno from (Fribourg, Switzerland), Benoit Gratton and Vitalij Aab the Freezers have three lines that can score. 8

5. Frankfurt Lions (www.frankfurt-lions.de)

Canadian Dwayne Norris - one of the Lion´s best players - decided to stop his active carreer but goes on working for his team, now as GM. Together with coach Rich Cernomaz, Norris had to substitute at least 6 important colleagues from his last active year. Whether he did a good job we will see at the end of this season.

Ex-NHL player Jason Marshall will strengthen the Frankfurt Lions' defense

Goaltending: Only the 3^rd goalie stepped into the 2^nd league to Landsberg and the new GM hired with Christian Wendler from Krefeld (DNL - German Junior League) a high regarded Junior (17). All people in the surrounding of the team still have confidence in their #1 Ian Gordon (played on a top level during the playoffs) & backup Boris Ackers. 8

Defense: Three Lions defenders went other clubs & leagues, but brought in quality by signing youngster Richie Regehr, whose brother is an elite defenseman in the NHL.  Richie spent last year in Calgary (NHL) & Omaha (AHL).

With NHL oldie Jason Marshall (more than 700 games) and Lasse Kopitz, he stole two defenders from league rival Cologne. At the end of last season, they improved (it was Marshall´s first year in Europe) and the two will show the fans in Frankfurt how good they are. Peter Smrek had a very bad season due to injuries and now wants to come back at his best. These are the best conditions for a good defensive performance by the club. 8

Offense: The Lions lost a lot of scoring potential when new GM Norris retired from play.  In addition, Pat Lebeau, Steve Kelly (both NHL) & Michael Hackert (Eagles) also left the club. Now, every Lions fan is looking onto the roster where are new names but they are still unknown. The German Ilia Vorobiev played last season in Russia (Magnitogorsk & Moskau) but the fans hope he will be the same as before. Both Canadians Layne Ulmer & Derek Hahn are coming from other European leagues (TPS Turku, SM-Liiga, Fin – Rodoevre IK, Den) but nobody can know what they can show in the DEL. 7

6. Sinupret Ice Tigers (www.ice-tigers.de)

It doesn´t matter where they are placed in the standings after the regular season, because the quarter finals have been the end of the road over the past six seasons.  But last season they advanced to the finals, losing to the Eagles. Now GM Otto Sykora & coach Benoit Laporte want to build a team that is just as, if not more successful as last year’s club.

Goaltending: Francois Labbé went to Vienna (Austria) and so Sykora and Laporte had to look for new goalies, finding them in Iserlohn and Duisburg. German national goalie Dimitrij Kotschnew was available and Patrick Ehelechner is more than a backup. 8

Defense: Jame Pollock got a contract with the Washington Capitals. That´s a big loss for the team and the whole weight is on blueliner Rich Brennan. Hopefully national defender Stefan Schauer is recovered from his virus infection and NHL experienced Sean Brown (from Metro Stars) can show his play. 7

Offense: With the departure of Justin Mapletoft, the Ice Tigers they lost power because the NHL’s Ottawa Senators called. But with Bjoern Barta & Florian Keller they acquired two German internationals and brought in Ahren Spylo. Together with the “old” ice tigers they will be a terrific offense! 9 

7. Hanover Scorpions (www.hannoverscorpions.de)

With pride the team and fans could look back! The quarterfinals had been the end of a great season. Over three/four month it looked like the Scorpions were surely in the playoffs – but then they had been in the qualifying round with happy end.

Goaltending: The 29 year old Alexander Jung is stopping the puck as he did last season. Backup Martin Morczinietz is a neophyte netminder (23 years of age; stopped pucks 163 minutes in the goal of Augsburg (DEL) – brother of forward Andreas Morczinietz). If Jung will be hurt the Scorpions will have a problem. 7

Defense: National player Rainer Koettstorfer (Penguins) and American Aris Brimanis (Kloten, SUI) replace Brad Schlegel (end of carrer) & Todd Simpson (NHL). Sascha Goc (brother of Marcel Goc, San Jose Sharks)--one of the most dangerous blueliners in Germany--now has his “little” brother Nikolai at his side to introduce him to the DEL. 7

Offense: The team lost some scoring power to rivals (Jason Ulmer to Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg and Brad Tapper to Iserlohn Roosters) and other leagues (Derek Bekar – Jesenice/SLO; Rob Hisey – Assat Pori/Fin). But GM Marco Stichnoth and coach Hans Zach knew to hire appropriate substitute. After a season in Switzerland, Chris Herperger returns. Matt Dzieduszycki, last years top scorer of rival Duisburg, wants to score many more points as he had as a Fox. From Iowa (AHL) Mike Green is coming back to the Scorpions and with Tino Boos is a good center with scoring abilities (especially shootouts) will help the Sccorpions to advance to the semi finals. 8

8. ERC Ingolstadt  (www.erc-ingolstadt.de)

Coach Ron Kennedy (since April 2003) made a serious cut. He sent twelve players away and hired eleven young & hungry players.

Goaltending: Former NHLer Jimmy Waite is one of the best goalies in Europe, not only in the DEL.  Waite has to convince himself, the team & fans that he is back despite some rare less-than-stellar play last season. 9

Defense: With Jason Holland & Jakub Ficenec they have great defenders but the additions are unknown. 30 year old Josh MacNevin has been last years best defenseman in the 2^nd league and will strengthen the defensive part together with the Canadian newcomers Dustin Wood (26 - Manitoba Moose; AHL) & Scott Ferguson (34 - Worchester Sharks; AHL). If they are neatly as good as they are supposed to be, the Panthers will have a very good defense. 8

Offense: With 6 players leaving their forward lines, Ingolstadt lost a lot of scoring power – but Kennedy knows what he’s looking for. With great expectations, the club acquired Felix Schuetz (19) who had been in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for development and played there for the Saint John Sea Dogs & Val d´Or. Yorick Treille (27) is the only Frenchman in the team but played with big success in Switzerland (Geneva – 43 games, 15 G; 17 A). From the ECHL Florida Everblades comes 24 year old Vince Bellissimo. His advantage is his young age. But the biggest hopes are set in Eric Boguniecki. This guy already played in the NHL & AHL (last year he scored 22 goals and 54 points in only 48 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers) and is a full blooded forward who isn’t afraid of body contact in front of the goal. Yannic Seidenberg`s explosion last year (14 goals, 16 assists) showed what he can accomplish. 8

9. Polarbears Berlin (www.eisbaeren.de)

Nobody expected such a season. After three times in a row playing the finals with two championships (06 + 07) the Polarbears had to play the pre playoffs where they lost to the Lions. GM Peter John Lee and new coach Don Jackson (former Metro Star) have to build a new team.

Goaltending: Over the past two seasons, Rob Zepp (25) tended goal for the Finnish SM-Liiga’s Lapeenranta and showed well (his first year even better then the second). Young (21) Youri Ziffzer will backup Zepp. 7

Defense: With the addition of Brandon Smith from the Rochester Amerks (AHL), the defense seems to be very solid. Deron Quint (Berlin since 2005), Andy Roach (since 2006) & Frank Hoerdler (2003) will be in the first lines, but also the others (mostly coming out of the Polarbears own junior team program) are developing very well. 7

Offense: Here the Management brought only a few new faces to the team. The most spectacular acquisition is Nathan Robinson. But also Tyler Mulock is a player you have to watch – he had been last years best scorer in the 2^nd league. Hopefully (everybody expects it) coach Jackson knows to motivate the “old” Polarbears. 8

10. Iserlohn Roosters
(www.iec.de)

In the end they went away empty handed, but they did get very close to the playoffs. Coach Geoff Ward became assistant coach with the NHL Bruins and so 52 year old Rick Adduono was hired. Adduono only coached 3^rd league teams as head coach in America – but this is his great chance. At his side there are the assistants Uli Liebsch (Bietigheim, 2^nd league) & Bernd Haake.

Goaltending: Polarbears, GM Karsten Mende acquired Sebastian Stefaniszin as backup for Canadian Norm Maracle. This 32 year old man without nerves made 68 NHL games, 351 AHL/IHL games and spent his last four years in Russia with Avangard Omsk.  Iserlohn expects to receive big support, as Omsk did, from Maracle. 8

Paul Traynor is a real stay at home defender who seldom scores but represents a good insurance policy for Iserlohn netminders.

Defense: The new defenders are only average.  Even Canadian-born Luke Sellars, who played last seaon in Denmark for Rodovre IK and had 23 points (8G/15A) in 25 games,- isn´t a real blueliner and doesn’t have experience in elite leagues. Alexander Dueck & Chris Schmidt are the only other additions. So most of the defensive burden is on stay at home defender Paul Traynor. 6

Offense: 32 year old former NHLer (Ducks, Leafs) Bob Wren was hired away from Vienna in the Austrian league. There, Wren showed real scoring abilities and will be a big help in club efforts to reach the playoffs for the first time. Pat Kavanagh (came from Sweden and is scoring a lot of goals in the pre season), Brad Tapper (Scorpions) and youngster Henry Martens (Sharks) are dangerous and useful newcomers. Martens now gets more ice time in the lines of the Roosters and so he can show his true colors. German national players Robert Hock & Michael Wolf together with Jimmy Roy and Ryan Ready will give coach Adduono  the opportunity of building at least two very dangerous lines. 6

11. Krefeld Penguins
(www.krefeld-pinguine.de)

Although they reached last years goal of reaching the postseason (qualification round) they aren’t satisfied. With nine new skaters, the Penguins are attacking again.

Goaltending: Not everybody was happy when hearing that Swiss goalie Reto Pavoni extended his contract for another year. Some games he showed perfect performances but also some terrible ones. You can´t compare him with colleagues in Cologne, Hamburg, Iserlohn or Duesseldorf. 5

Defense: After losing three players to league rivals coach Jiri Ehrenberger & assistant Reemt Pyka hired Sasa Martinovic (Freezers) and Daryl Andrews from Denmark. Benedikt Schopper (2^nd league) and Sinan Akdag (3^rd league) have to show that they can play DEL hockey. Daniel Kunce & Richard Pavlikovski have to take even more responsibility as before. 6

Offense: This is without doubt the best position of the Penguins. Latvian Herberts Vasiljevs is able to decide a match by himself and Czech Jan Alinc can cruise right through the defense lines. Russian NHL veteran Alex Selivanov has been top scorer with 30 goals & 59 points of his team. Now they added two AHL players, Brian Maloney (Binghamton) and Ryan Ramsay (Peoria).  They should be able to offer at least two dangerous lines. 8

12. Straubing Tigers
(www.straubing-tigers.de)

In the 2^nd season in the DEL it will be harder for the Tigers. In their first DEL season last year, they had some victories vs. much higher regarded teams (Sharks, Scorpions, Penguins). At the end of the regular season, the Augsburger Panthers and Duisburg Foxes were far behind them in the standings.

Goaltending: Coach Erich Kuehnhackl & GM Juergen Pfundtner extended the contract with Canadian Mike Bales early for three more years. No mistake here;  Bales was playing at the highest level. Backup will be Markus Janka, who came from the 2^nd league. 7

Defense: This part of the Tigers hasn´t become better although four old Tigers departed and five came. Matt Kinch went to Ottawa (NHL) and that´s the biggest loss. The management tried to compensate this by hiring two defenders from the AHL. But it´s questionable whether Andy Canzanello (Syracuse) & Wade Skolney (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) can step in for Kinch. 5

Offense: Tiger´s top scorer Trevor Gallant & Bill Trew are getting help from Andrew McPherson and Greg Schmidt, who had excellent statistics in the 2^nd league. Eric Chouinard, who arrived in Straubing after nearly half of the season was over is now there for the whole time. Also Center Tobias Abstreiter was injured a long time – but now he is back. If the new forwards will fit into the lines Straubing can come close to the qualifying round. 6

13. Augsburger Panther
(www.aev-panther.de)

The Panthers missed the playoffs four times in the last 5 years. Is it hopeless?

Goaltending: Between the pipes all hopes are on the wide shoulders of Patrick DesRochers. After trying to become an Eagle in 2005 he spent last season in the 2^nd league with Crimmitschau. Now he has to convince all Panther fans with his best performances to save them from languishing at the bottom of the standings. 6

Defense: With Jochen Molling (2^nd league), Heiko Vogler (3^rd league) & Christian Chartier (Oslo, Nor) the defending unit doesn´t seem to be one of the best. Although Harlan Pratt and the Latvian Arvids Rekis are very solid and reliable. 4

Offense: Rhett Gordon returned from Denmark, Brock Radunske had only been an average scorer in the ECHL (Stockton) and forward Mathis Olimb also came from Oslo, Nor. like defender Chartier. But they have to show if they are good enough for this league. Because Augsburg´s scorer king Shane Joseph is still in the team the Panthers have at least one dangerous line. 4

14. Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg
(www.ehc-wolfsburg.de)

Wolfsburg is back! Three years after they were sent back into the 2^nd league because they didn´t had an adequate arena (seats 2,700, locker rooms too small). The city of Wolfsburg remodeled the arena (4500 seats/standing room) and the Grizzly Adams qualified for coming back by winning the championship of the 2^nd league.

Oliver Jonas tries to get back in goal as #1 with the Adam Grizzly Wolfsburg. But his rival is Chris Rogles.

Goaltending:  Chris Rogles keeps his net clean in Germany´s top leagues since 1997. 2005 he went to Wolfsburg to become a Grizzly and led them to the championship and back into the DEL. In his 9^th season in the top league in Germany he will still be number one, but former Germany national goalie Oliver Jonas will be his backup and waits for ice time after sitting on the bench in Cologne most of the time. 6

Defense: The defense is winning a game! If you look at this phrase and the defensive lines you will be anxious about the Grizzlies. Only Petr Macholda (Lions) and Jean Francois Fortier (Foxes) have DEL experiences. Fredrik Svensson reached the Bears via Hameenlinna (Fin) & Ambri-Piotta (CH). 4

Offense: Last year there had been a lot of scoring power in the lines of Wolfsburg. They were keeping the best and were adding six experienced players. Czech David Moravec is coming from the Finnish SM-Liiga (30 games – 23 points) and Slovakian Lubomir Hurtaj arrived from Bratislava (SVK; 66 GP; 23G, 31A). Hershey Bear Chad Wiseman became a Grizzly Bear and will show his North American experience in Wolfsburg. With a personal record of 43 points in 64 AHL-games he will give his new team a lot more scoringpower. 5

15. Foxes Duisburg
(www.ev-duisburg.de)

A nightmare – that´s the only word that describes correctly last hockey season in Duisburg. Over the whole season the Foxes had been the whipping boy of the league. In Duisburg everybody could be happy that the league decided nobody has to step down into the 2. league. But then there were rumors that the team will be sold to another city in the southern part of Germany. Only rumors? Not if the team doesn’t improve.

Goaltending: GM Franz Fritzmeier made an exchange with the backups. He sent Patrick Ehelechner to Nuremberg and got Lukas Lang, a highly regarded young goalie. Lang Jr. is the son of goalie coach and idol Karel Lang. 5

Defense: Last year’s defense was a disaster! Andrej Teljukin had been the best last year and this time there is the possibility of gaining the same spot. The best known addition in this part of the team is Ray DiLauro, who came from the Penguins but couldn´t convince. On September 2^nd Duisburg strengthened itshis offensive side of the defensive game by giving a one-year-contract to 38 year old Petri Liimatainen from Sweden. Last season he played for Basel (Switzerland) and is a dangerous and feared blueliner. 4

Offense: Top scorer Matt Dzieduszycki went to Hanover to become a Scorpion. Who of the new will be his descendant? Adam Courchaine has great statistics – but he comes from the 2^nd league in Austria. Also Jade Galbraith had great performances but in Riessersee (3^rd league). Dan Tessier is coming from Great Britain with impressive scorer point totals – but he has to show that he also can do it in the DEL. The 32 year old Swede Peter Hoegardh once had been top scorer in the Swedish Eliten league. There are a lot of questionmarks in the offense! 3

It looks better than last year for Duisberg, but if not enough of an improvement, the club will likely move to another city.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION:
MANNHEIM EAGLES

TOP

Copyright 2008 Western Hockey Network

Eye on Europe:
2007-08

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A NOTE ABOUT THE GERMAN ELITE HOCKEY LEAGUE:

This year it will be Thursday the 06th of September that the new season is opened with the game of the Cologne Sharks vs. the Hamburg Freezers. It´s the 14th DEL season and the second without the worst team stepping down into the second league. In Germany there is one top league (DEL), one 2nd league (2.Bundesliga), one 3. league (Oberliga), one 4th …. and the worst team of each league had to step down/the best was replacing it in the higher league. You can compare it with the US: 1st league: NHL; 2nd AHL; 3rd ECHL.

But with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg,  the league expanded this year to 15 teams and it seems to be sure that next year is the last chance (?) for a second league club (the champion) to become a new member (no.16) of the DEL. 16 teams will be enough, says the league, otherwise there are too many games (64). Then new clubs only can become a DEL member if an "old" franchise will move into another city.

--Ivo Jaschick
 

Eye on Europe Archive 2006-07

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