Reindl and Schaidnagel speak of “very good news” – Draisaitl: “That would be the greatest thing for me
The North American top league NHL also signaled the green light for the Olympic return of the world's best ice hockey professionals on the night of Friday to Saturday as part of negotiations to resume the season that has been interrupted since March. Even though further negotiations are now pending between the NHL, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Ice Hockey Federation IIHF with a view to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and 2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, an important step has been taken. The main things that need to be negotiated are insurance issues, travel, accommodation and also marketing aspects DEB-President Franz Reindl is involved as Chairman of the IIHF Competition & Coordination Committee.
The German Ice Hockey Federation team, currently seventh in the world rankings, will initially face Canada, the USA and Olympic host China in Group A in Beijing in February 2022. At the Winter Games in South Korea, when the DEB-Selection won the silver medal, the NHL professionals were missing after they had always been part of the Olympic ice hockey tournament between 1998 and 2014. Franz Reindl, DEB-Sports director Stefan Schaidnagel, national coach Toni Söderholm and NHL top star Leon Draisaitl received the news as follows.
DEB-President Franz Reindl says about the agreement in the negotiations between the NHL and the players' union NHLPA: “This is very good news for the sport of ice hockey. The decision is not yet the final breakthrough, but it is an absolutely positive signal and an important prerequisite. You have to wait for the final talks, there are still high hurdles ahead, but I think everyone wants to find a way. Now the discussions are about urgent issues such as insurance, travel and accommodation.”
... and also emphasizes: “It is a lifelong goal, especially for the players, and now there is the opportunity. It is clear to us that we want to compete with the strongest team available. The NHL's preparedness means we can take full advantage like everyone else. And when I look at the development of our players, I am convinced that we will be competitive.”
DEB-Sports director Stefan Schaidnagel says: “The agreement between the NHL and NHLPA is very good news and groundbreaking for the NHL’s participation in the Olympics. We are happy for the German NHL players and the prospect of being able to play the Olympic tournament in Beijing with them. We will also have very good players from the DEL in the squad and will have a strong German team in two years - and we are also working on ensuring that the women also qualify for Beijing in August 2021!”
National coach Toni Söderholm explains: "Very special and extraordinary things can happen at the Olympic Games, and that's what we've seen in German ice hockey. The fact that we now have the prospect of the best players in the world taking part makes the whole thing even more special. And in terms of sport, it would clearly be the best tournament in years, ice hockey at the absolute highest possible level. It would be simply fantastic for everyone involved. The Olympics are an absolute highlight for me personally anyway, and an experience that I had my sights set on from the very beginning. Almost all of my thoughts and plans have been somehow connected to the Olympics since day one."
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) comments: ““Playing for Germany at the Olympic Games would be the greatest thing for me! It’s every athlete’s dream to be able to experience that.”