During the course in Füssen, the players complete an extensive program / “It’s fun”
Intensive training on and off the ice during the day and a relaxed get-together in the evening in a convivial atmosphere: As announced, the preparation phase of the German national ice hockey team in Füssen promises an extensive program for the players. "Especially when you haven't been on the ice for a long time, it's exhausting to get back into the rhythm. But it's also a lot of fun," says NHL star Tobias Rieder of the Arizona Coyotes after the first few days of training.
In any case, variety is ensured. The program usually runs as follows: After breakfast together, the off-ice units begin in two groups with strength and coordination exercises in the gymnastics hall in the morning. Afterwards you either go on the ice or – depending on the length of the units – straight to lunch. In this case, the national team trains in the afternoon at the Federal Training Center, where there are regularly some training camps.
Of course, many viewers also use the opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars. No problem for the cracks: they patiently sign autographs or are available to take photos. Of course, the focus is particularly on the NHL stars around Stanley Cup winner Tom Kühnhackl. After all, it doesn't happen often that Kühnhackl, Christian Ehrhoff, Tobias Rieder, Korbinian Holzer and co Fans come so close.
National coach Marco Sturm likes what he sees. All of his players are enthusiastic. This is also important to the coach. "This course is designed to help them internalize some of the tactical aspects of the system. This will lay the foundation for the preparation phase in August." From August 22nd, the national team will meet in Mannheim and travel to Minsk the following weekend for two test matches before finally heading to Riga. From September 01st to 04th, the all-important Olympic qualification will take place against Japan, Austria and host country Latvia for the Olympic ticket. Only the first will be competing in 2018.
The selection of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund remains until Tuesday. V (DEB) in Füssen. On Saturday Sturm gave his boys the day off after training, and on Sunday afternoon they have rafting on the agenda. A communal dinner will round off the training week on Monday. One day later, they will go home again after the last session. While the NHL stars will then train individually again, the summer break in the DEL will be over and the players will start preparing for the DEL season in their clubs.