Jonas Neffin leads the Deutsche Eishockey Liga with an 80 percent shutout rate for the Eisbären Berlin, stopping 99.2 percent of shots faced across his first five appearances of the season.
The Record-Breaking Start in Berlin
Four shutouts in five games have transformed the 26-year-old goaltender into a central figure for the reigning German champions. According to tracking data utilizing computer chips embedded in pucks and player jerseys, opponents have generated 13.2 expected goals against Neffin through his five outings. He has surrendered just a single goal, yielding a 0.2 goals-against average that outpaces every other starting netminder in the DEL.
The lone blemish arrived during a matchup against Nürnberg when Evan Barratt steered a loose puck through Neffin’s pads. Eisbären head coach Éric Dubois noted that his goaltender displayed strong character by dismissing the miscue without losing concentration. Defenseman Jonas Müller praised the netminder’s ability to produce crucial stops when defensive coverage breaks down in front of him.
A Career Forged Through Lower-League Loans
Neffin’s path to the top tier involved annual relocations across the German hockey landscape. After rising through the youth system in Iserlohn, he made his DEL debut in December 2019 at age 19, securing a shutout victory against München. Lacking regular ice time in his hometown, the organization repeatedly loaned him to clubs in the second and third divisions, including stints in Essen, Weiden, Herne, Kassel, Dresden, and Regensburg.
In 2023, Neffin signed permanently with Regensburg in the DEL2. He initially served as the backup during their championship run before establishing himself as the primary starter the following season, helping the club avoid relegation. His performance earned him the DEL2 Player of the Year honors in the spring of 2026, prompting Berlin to sign him as part of a roster overhaul that also brought in Canadian goaltender Jack LaFontaine.
The Mental Toughness Behind the Shutouts
Goaltending demands rapid psychological recovery, a trait Neffin developed over years of shifting rosters and pressure situations. Recalling his childhood in Iserlohn, Neffin noted that his mother initially opposed his choice of position, but his persistence kept him in the crease. When he finally made his first start for Berlin on the fourth matchday of the season—coincidentally played in Iserlohn—he managed his nerves to secure another shutout.
With Dennis Endras holding the all-time DEL record of 51 shutouts across 615 career games, Neffin’s current early-season trajectory has placed him under intense scrutiny from opponents and analysts alike. As Berlin continues its defense of the championship title, the goaltender prepares for upcoming league fixtures while maintaining the focus that carried him from the lower tiers to the top of the standings.
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