Ice hockey national coach Harold Kreis nominated six new players on Monday (April 15, 2024) for the second World Cup preparation phase in Augsburg.
Goalkeeper Florian Bugl, Mario Zimmermann, Joshua Samanski and Parker Tuomie are there from the Straubing Tigers. There are also the two strikers Dominik Kahun (SC Bern) and Marc Michaelis (EV Zug), who are active in Switzerland.
“We are excited about the energy that the players who are now joining our team will bring,” said Coach Kreis. “In the coming week we will continue to work on the structure and pace as well as on tactical details.”
Munich players not yet there
According to DEB information on Monday, the professionals from EHC Red Bull Munich will only join in the third phase. Possible reinforcements from North America from the NHL as well as the two DEL finalists Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven and Eisbären Berlin are expected by the fourth preparation phase at the latest.
However, Stefan Loibl, Tim Fleischer, Julian Napravnik and goalkeeper Niklas Treutle are no longer there.
Two more test matches against Slovakia
From Tuesday, the vice world champion will be preparing in Augsburg for the World Cup in the Czech Republic (May 10th to 26th). There are two test matches against Slovakia on April 18th in Kaufbeuren and two days later in Augsburg.
After the two friendly defeats against World Cup hosts the Czech Republic, captain Moritz Müller is hoping for an improvement. “We have to play faster and think faster,” said the Kölner Haie veteran.
Müller is the leader at 37 years old
Led by the 37-year-old Müller, Kreis has, unlike recently, a good selection in the early preparation phase. “We have a wide range of high-quality players to choose from,” explained the 65-year-old.
Draisaitl open to returning “if it fits”
NHL superstar Leon Draisaitl appeared fundamentally open to a comeback in the national team on Monday. During a video call before the start of the playoffs in the North American Hockey League (April 18), the Cologne native said in response to Sportschau’s request: “”I’m always open to returning to the German team if the timing fits. But these are conversations that will be had when the time comes. At the moment I’m completely focused on the upcoming playoffs with the Oilers.”
