The question of whether the German national ice hockey team can fall back on NHL professional Tim Stützle at the start of the World Cup in Denmark and Sweden is answered: with a clear yesin. The striker of the Ottawa Senator will strengthen the team of the German Ice Hockey Association (DEB): All formalities are done, confirmed DEB sports director Christian Künast on Friday evening in Herning. The 23-year-old will join the team at the weekend. However, Stützle will miss the two opening games on Saturday against promoted Hungary (4:20 p.m./ Pro7, Magenta Sport) and on Sunday against Kazakhstan (4.20 p.m.).
16 teams are fighting for the World Cup title at the 2025 World Hockey Championship in Sweden and Denmark. The schedule with all appointments and results.
“Of course we are pleased that Tim has a very high quality player,” said national coach Harold Kreis. “He also demonstrated his strengths in the past NHL season.” In 82 games, Stützle scored 24 goals and prepared 55 more. He was the best German striker in the North American professional league after Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers. As the DEB continued, there will be a change in the squad by the approval for Sützle: Marcel Noebels, 33, World Cup-silver medalist from 2023, the journey home must start early.
Victories against Hungary and Kazakhstan are downright mandatory if the DEB team wants to move into the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the sixth time. “If we don’t win such games, it will be difficult,” said captain Moritz Seider before the game against Hungary. The other group opponents are Norway, Switzerland, Team USA, world champion Czech Republic and host Denmark.