After 157 international matches and 104 scorer points, the Cologne striker ends his international career / Reindl: “Great respect” / Tiffels and Mauer cancel Olympic performance tests
Philip Gogulla has ended the national team chapter. The Cologne striker recently informed national coach Marco Sturm about his resignation. “The stress in DEL games and international missions has increased from year to year. Since the beginning of my national team career, I have taken part in almost all major tournaments, so I would like to slow down a bit in the future,” explained the Düsseldorf native.
Gogulla can look back on 157 appearances for his country with a total of 104 scorer points. This puts him in the top 20 of all German national ice hockey players in terms of international appearances alone. The almost 30-year-old winger has taken part in ten World Cups since 2006. His last goal came during the last home World Cup in a 2-2 draw against Sweden (2-7). “I was always proud to play for Germany, had great years and would like to thank everyone who crossed my path,” said the left-handed shooter.
Gogulla's personal highlights included the 2010 home World Cup with the opening game against Team USA "Auf Schalke", his decisive goal in the quarter-finals for a 1-0 win over Switzerland and his first World Cup in 2006 in Amiens (Div. I). Gogulla emphasized that he also looks back fondly on Moscow 2007 and St. Petersburg 2016.
The Haie attacker also has fond memories of the World Cup in Slovakia in 2011. After the historic 2-0 win over Russia, the selection of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) also added a 4:3 win against hosts Slovakia, which is full of NHL stars. Gogulla: “When we were 4-0 up at one stage, it was as quiet as I can find in an arena with almost 10.000 people Fans have never experienced. But when the Slovaks got to 4:3, it was just a deafening noise.”
DEB-President Franz Reindl: “The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund would like to thank Philip with great respect. Personally, I was able to enjoy working with Philip in various positions. On the one hand, I find this step extremely regrettable because he is still at a very good competitive age and has great potential. On the other hand, as a deserving national player, Philip has a lot of international games under his belt and I can understand if he listens to his body and mental readiness. We wish him good luck in the coming season with the Sharks and for his future career.”
Without tiffles and walls
At the upcoming Olympic performance tests in Heidelberg (July 23rd - 26.7th), national coach Marco Sturm has to rely not only on Gogulla but also on World Cup shooting star Frederik Tiffels and Frank Mauer from the German champions EHC Red Bull München waive. While Tiffels is traveling to North America next week to take part in the Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp, the performance tests come a little too early for Mauer after recovering from an upper body injury. This reduces the squad to 26 field players.