From August 17th to 21st, the NHL is holding a referee scouting course in Buffalo, NY. This year, the young German talent Lukas Kohlmüller will be taking part. The 23-year-old Master's student in aerospace engineering (TU Munich) has been a linesman in the DEL since the 2014/15 season and has been able to gain both national and international experience. Last season, for example, Kohlmüller was in action at the U20 top division World Cup in Canada and at the World Cup in Germany and France.
Shortly before the start of the trip we were able to do a short interview with Lukas.
Lukas, what are your expectations?
I think it will be a pretty strenuous camp with a lot of testing both on and off the ice. Nevertheless, I hope for many new experiences that you can take away with you. Of course I want to represent myself as best as possible.
How do you prepare?
A good summer training is important for me, with gym, running, cycling, jumping and sprinting exercises. I went to the training camp in Pilsen with some SR colleagues for four days, where the program included eight ice times. Plus, I have it DEB Completed the course, so I'm prepared.
Do you feel more respect or are you more excited?
Of course it's a great thing to be able to take part in a course in the best ice hockey league in the world, as already mentioned, I think the tests will demand everything from you. Overall, the anticipation of the new experiences and having to prove yourself predominates.
Have you already been informed about content and what are the topics like?
We will receive the exact plan on site. So far I only know about physical on- and off-ice tests in connection with ice hockey games. Suppose you were offered the opportunity to start an umpiring career in North America with the goal of officiating games in the NHL.
Would you get involved or take advantage of the opportunity?
I think if you ever get this chance, you definitely have to take advantage of it and try it out.
Is there an NHL stadium that you would most like to referee a game in?
During the U20 World Cup this winter I was able to referee games in Toronto and Montreal, which was an incredible experience and was a lot of fun to be able to work in such great arenas. However, there is no explicit stadium.
Lukas, we wish you much success!
The interview was conducted by Holger Gerstberger.