The German Ice Hockey League (DEL) recently honored its top performers, with Leonhard Pföderl from Eisbären Berlin winning Player and Forward of the Year. Kristers Gudlevskis was named best goalkeeper, while newcomer Alex Breton earned the best defender title, and Mark French was recognized as Coach of the Year. Pföderl, known for his scoring ability and calm demeanor under pressure, expressed his enjoyment of high-stakes playoffs and his deep connection to his Bavarian roots while playing in Berlin.
Celebrating the Stars of the DEL
The main round of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) has concluded, and as is tradition, the league has recognized its standout players from the past six months. This year, the Player and Forward of the Year title was awarded to Leonhard Pföderl from Eisbären Berlin.
Once again, the best goalkeeper title went to Kristers Gudlevskis from Bremerhaven, while the most formidable defender was a fresh face in the league: Franco-Canadian Alex Breton from ERC Ingolstadt. Breton’s coach, Mark French, was also honored with the ‘Coach of the Year’ award.
Leo Pföderl: A Hockey Icon
Known simply as Leo, Pföderl embodies the essence of a hockey player that you might envision in a storybook. Tall, robust, and with a contagious laugh, he thrives on scoring goals and creating assists. He’s the kind of player you’d want at your side during festivities, effortlessly handling tasks while keeping the mood light.
However, Leo isn’t one for small talk with strangers. Following a victory by his Eisbären or the German national team, he often bypasses interviews, which is unfortunate given his knack for scoring crucial goals—he has netted an impressive 255 goals throughout his DEL career.
The Straubing Tigers and Nürnberg Ice Tigers have utilized their home ice advantage, each needing just one more victory to progress to the quarter-finals of the DEL playoffs. Remarkably, only a handful of players have reached the 255-goal milestone in the league’s history, yet many fans may struggle to recall the last time they heard Leo Pföderl speak at length.
The accolades he received in the ‘Waiting Room at the Cathedral’ were well-deserved. Although his teammate Ty Ronning outperformed him in total goals, home advantage certainly plays a factor in the DEL’s awards. Pföderl, with 27 goals and 45 assists, has propelled the Eisbären to a solid second-place standing after the main round.
As relegation looms, the remaining teams face a tough road ahead. Yet, they must be wary of Pföderl’s playoff prowess. He has a history of stepping up during crucial moments, often becoming the most valuable player and thriving under pressure like a steadfast maypole in a village square, impervious to unexpected storms.
“I enjoy the pressure,” Pföderl shared in an interview with a sports show. After a thoughtful pause, he added, “You realize in the playoffs that it’s about the big stakes. You anticipate this for 52 games, and everyone is watching. The significance of it all is quite beautiful.”
His response flirted with the 255-word mark, and as he opened up, he revealed his personal strategy: “I aim to score in the first game. If I manage three goals, I want to net another in the next match. If I don’t score, I’ll make sure to get one in the following game.” He paused again, beaming, and concluded, “That’s my mission.”
This straightforward approach is appreciated by coaches, including Eisbären’s Serge Aubin and national coach Harry Kreis, who commented on Leo’s succinctness during a brief speech in Cologne’s main train station. Little did Kreis know that Pföderl had shared more words than usual that evening. After home games in Berlin, he enjoys a beer from his Bavarian roots, courtesy of the ice master.
The connection between home and his Bavarian heritage runs deep for Pföderl. “I enjoy the best of both worlds in Berlin,” he remarked, noting he has a contract until 2029. “Berlin feels right for now, but I will certainly return to my Bavarian homeland someday.” He smiled thoughtfully, hinting at the seriousness behind his playful demeanor that national coach Harry Kreis referred to as “an inner smile.”