118-time national player retires / Sturm: “Was one of the best players that German ice hockey has produced”
One of the greatest German ice hockey players is surprisingly calling it quits. Christian Ehrhoff just a few hours after the quarter-final exit Kölner Haie announced the end of his career against the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers on the evening of March 25.03.2018, 35. The defender is hanging up his skates exactly one month after winning the silver medal with the German national ice hockey team. The XNUMX-year-old defender announced this on his social media accounts.
The Moers native played in a total of 118 international matches for the German national team. The extremely successful defender, who played 862 games in the NHL, took part in six World Championships and four Olympic Games. Probably his greatest success was winning the Olympic silver medal at the Winter Games in PyeongChang last February.
“I informed the team, the Haie organization and of course national coach Marco Sturm about this step. I was able to enjoy a long and successful career. I am very grateful for that. I am now looking forward to a new chapter in my life,” said Ehrhoff in a first statement. “The decision was carefully considered and has matured over the past few weeks. After so many years at the highest level, the time has now come for me to start something new.”
“Christian and the whole of ice hockey Germany can proudly look back on an extraordinary career. He has always shown himself to be a leader on and off the ice and was one of the best players that German ice hockey has produced. I wish him the very best for the new phase of his life both personally and professionally,” said national coach Marco Sturm, who was personally informed about this step by Ehrhoff “a few days ago”.
Even DEB-President Franz Reindl showed complete understanding for the German leader's decision: “Christian has had a great career in which he was always ready to play for the national team. He leaves big shoes to fill, but that also means an opportunity for the young players.”