ice Hockey
NHL trio strengthens DEB team at World Cup
Nico Sturm plays in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks. photo
© Pavel Golovkin/AP/dpa
The squad of the German national ice hockey team continues to take shape. Now even reinforcements are coming from the NHL – in time for phase four of the World Cup preparations.
Vice world champion Germany is getting reinforcements from the best for the World Cup in the Czech Republic Ice hockey league in the world.
The two attackers Nico Sturm (San Jose Sharks) and JJ Peterka (Buffalo Sabres) as well as goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken) will join national coach Harold Kreis’ team for the so-called phase four of preparation on May 1st in Wolfsburg.
“Having already had their personal confirmations, all the necessary formalities have now been completed. We are therefore looking forward to JJ, Nico and Philipp joining us from next week and welcoming them to the national team,” explained sports director Christian Künast . “They will bring their personalities and qualities to the team in the immediate preparation for the World Cup in the Czech Republic, which we have in Wolfsburg and Weißwasser from Wednesday.”
The Germans will first play a second test against Austria on Saturday in Zell am See. Before the start of the World Cup on May 10th in Ostrava against Slovakia, the Germans want to get into medal shape in two games against France in Wolfsburg (May 4th) and in Weißwasser (May 6th).
“The players who are here are important, everything else is speculation,” said defender and captain Moritz Müller about the expected reinforcements from North America after the 4-2 win in the first test against Austria. “But every player from the NHL is a reinforcement for us. It would be great if they joined and if not, then we’ll do it with the guys who are here.”