Following a turbulent period of declining performances on the international stage, the German Ice Hockey Federation has appointed André Rankel as the new head coach of the German men’s national ice hockey team, tasked with preparing the squad for the 2027 IIHF World Championship on home soil.
Rankel, a seven-time German champion with the Eisbären Berlin and a long-serving former national team forward, was officially introduced in Munich on his 41st birthday by the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB). Stepping into the role for his first-ever position as a head coach, Rankel succeeds Harold Kreis on a four-year contract.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for German ice hockey following a string of disappointing international results. Under Kreis, who took charge following the historic silver-medal run at the 2023 World Championship, the national team faltered in three major tournaments. The downward spiral included a group-stage elimination at the 2025 World Championship in Denmark, an early exit at the Milan Olympics in early 2026, and another group-stage elimination at the World Championship in Switzerland in June 2026. Those results prompted the federation to part ways with Kreis in June 2026.
Reflecting on his new mandate during his introductory press conference, Rankel acknowledged the unique timing of the announcement. “That is in two respects a very special day for me. I’ve had a birthday 41 times now, but today is just a tick more special for me, to be introduced as national coach,” Rankel said, adding, “It’s an honor for me, I’m incredibly proud to be given this trust.”
Transition from Longtime Player to National Team Bench Boss
Rankel brings deep familiarity with elite domestic competition to the position. Born in Berlin, he spent his entire playing career with the Eisbären Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), racking up 247 goals before a shoulder injury forced him to retire from professional play in 2020. During his playing days, he developed under the guidance of coach Don Jackson. He subsequently transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Eisbären Berlin starting in 2023 and learning under current head coach Serge Aubin.
The search committee charged with finding the new coach included DEB sporting director Christian Künast—who faced criticism following the recent tournament exits—alongside new DEB advisor Peter John Lee and sports committee managers Stefan Ustorf from Nürnberg and Karl-Heinz Fliegauf from Wolfsburg.
Immediate Schedule and the Road to the 2027 Home World Championship
The newly minted head coach will not have long to wait before getting his feet wet on the international bench. Rankel’s debut behind the bench will come at the Deutschland Cup, scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf from November 5 to November 8, 2026.
From there, the team’s preparations will pivot toward the ultimate objective: the 2027 IIHF World Championship, which will be co-hosted across German venues in Düsseldorf, Mannheim, and Gelsenkirchen from May 13 to May 30, 2027.
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