Stefan Trainer ends his activity on the referee committee of the DEB

Stefan Trainer, long-standing member of the referee committee of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB), has ended his role at the start of the current 2017/2018 season.

Stefan Trainer worked as a referee for a total of 19 years. After starting out in the regional association, he refereed for nine years as a linesman in what was then Bundesliga 1, also refereed over 90 international matches and was involved in various IIHF tournaments. Trainer was then nominated as head referee and, after a year in Bundesliga 2, refereed games in the DEL for a further seven years. Internationally, he was nominated for various international matches as well as for renowned IIHF tournaments. In addition to 292 assignments as head referee, his CV also includes appearances in the DEL finals in 2001 and 2002.

After ending his active career in 2002, Stefan Trainer was appointed to the referee committee of the DEB appointed. From 2003 he was responsible for the DEL refereeing department together with Holger Gerstberger. Both have left this position at the end of the season.

Gerhard Lichtnecker, DEB Referee chairman: "Stefan Trainer has shaped and influenced the positive development over many years, both as an active referee and in his role as a member of the referee committee. Professionalization would not have progressed so far without him. In addition, he was a worthy representative of the referees to the IIHF, especially in recent years. He played a leading role in developing and coordinating the IIHF Referee Exchange Program, the Champions Hockey League and cooperation with other nations, especially Switzerland, in the area of ​​refereeing. In our leagues, he always had an eye for young talent, promoted them with passion, but also challenged them. We regret his decision and wish him all the best for his future!"

Franz Reindl, DEB-President: “On behalf of the whole DEB I would like to thank Stefan Trainer for his long and extremely successful career as an active referee and later in his roles in DEB and DEL referees. A professional through and through. He has given our sport a lot, moved it and brought it forward. He deserves great respect for that! We wish Stefan the best of luck and success in his future, both professionally and personally."