Dennis Seidenberg strengthens the national team

Sturm: “He gives our defense a lot of stability” / Korbinian Holzer in the squad from next week / Tobias Rieder cancels

As expected, the German national ice hockey team is receiving prominent reinforcements: Dennis Seidenberg will join the team in Phase IV of preparation from Tuesday in Denmark.

The 36-year-old defender from the NHL's New York Islanders is expected to play in the games DEB-Selection against the hosts (April 25.4th / 19:30 p.m. live on SPORT1.de and on SPORT1+) and South Korea (April 27.4th / 13:30 p.m. live on SPORT1) are already up. “Dennis is an absolute leader. We're glad we have him there. “He gives our defense a lot of stability,” said national coach Marco Sturm, pleased about the commitment of the 2011 Stanley Cup winner.

Korbinian Holzer from the Anaheim Ducks will also wear the German national jersey at the upcoming IIHF 2018 World Championship in Herning, Denmark (May 4th - 20.5.2018th, XNUMX). “Korbinian Holzer is joining the national team just in time for the start of the World Cup. We are expecting him next week,” said the national coach, who, however, has to do without Tobias Rieder (LA Kings) with a heavy heart.

“Tobias Rieder really wanted to be there. But his contract situation for the coming season is unclear and the risk is simply too high for him. Especially since he was injured at the last two World Cups. “I therefore completely understand his decision,” emphasized Sturm.

While Seidenberg is new to the squad for the upcoming games, defender Benedikt Brückner and strikers Simon Danner and Jaroslav Hafenrichter will no longer be part of the squad. Sturm: “All three always put themselves at the service of the team and gave everything. Rejecting players is never nice.”

Sturm also expects a familiar face to return to the coaching team for the World Cup: Geoff Ward, assistant coach at the New Jersey Devils, will be on the boards in Denmark, as he was at the previous World Championships and the 2017 Olympic qualification.