National coach Marco Sturm leaves it alone Deutschland Cup rotate and opens the fight for the squad places for the home World Cup 2017
The German national ice hockey team wants to win its title Deutschland Cup (November 4th - 6th, live on SPORT1). National coach Marco Sturm emphasized this at a press conference on Wednesday in Augsburg's Curt Frenzel Stadium: “Of course we want to repeat last year's success,” said Sturm and added: “The Deutschland Cup is a good test for all players who didn't take part in the last tournaments. You can present yourself and recommend yourself for the home World Cup in Cologne next year.”
The national coach has three goalkeepers, nine defenders and 15 strikers for him Deutschland Cup nominated. With defender Konrad Abeltshauser, striker Maximilian Kastner (both EHC Red Bull München) and local hero Thomas Holzmann (Augsburger Panther) there are three debutants in the squad of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB). The two defenders Justin Krueger (SC Bern) and Jonas Müller (Eisbären Berlin) joined the team on Wednesday due to their playing commitments in the Champions Hockey League (CHL).
Due to its extensive squad, Sturm will rotate some positions in the games against Slovakia (Friday, November 4.11th, 19.30:5.11 p.m.), Switzerland (Saturday, November 19.30th, 6.11:16.30 p.m.) and Team Canada (Sunday, November 1th, XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.; all games live on SPORTXNUMX). "Our opponents are all at least on the same level and are coming to Augsburg with a very good squad," said the national coach, who brought Jochen Hecht, another long-time NHL professional, into the coaching team as assistant coach.
Sturm once again emphasized the importance of the four-nation tournament: “For us it is Deutschland Cup the only measure before the start of the Euro Hockey Challenge in April 2017.” Regardless of the sporting outcome of the tournament, the 38-year-old would like to monitor the performance of his candidates. The fight for the coveted World Cup places is on: “Everyone gets the chance to show that they have earned their World Cup nomination.”
Those responsible are increasingly looking forward to the coming weekend. "The Augsburger Panther are proud of that Deutschland Cup To be able to take part again in 2016. The traditional ice hockey location Augsburg and the modernized Curt Frenzel Stadium already offered a great backdrop for the four-nation tournament in 2015. Our thanks go to the numerous volunteers and the city of Augsburg who support us with the event and make it possible,” said Leo Conti, Head of Marketing at the Augsburger Panthern.
The former DEL keeper is looking forward to exciting games and the numerous support Fans: “We hope for a similar sporting outcome as last year and expect to be able to welcome one or two more spectators to the CFS.”
More information about Deutschland Cup see here