Tim Stützle's name will come up early in the NHL draft - that's for sure. If you believe the opinions of ice hockey experts from all over the world, then the only question is: number two or three. Turbulent months lie behind the 18-year-old Adler Mannheim with countless interviews and appointments with North American media. On Wednesday night, Stützle finally knows where the journey is going. “It is definitely my goal to be in the top three. The chances are good", he says himself.
Stützle is the most highly traded player in a German trio with brilliant prospects; alongside him, Lukas Reichel and John Peterka could also know the name of their future NHL club in the first round. This would have a historical dimension. "I hope it will work. It would be a great day for German ice hockey.”says national coach Toni Söderholm, who is responsible for the development of the three youngsters in the U20 team.DEBteam closely and also supported U20 national coach Tobias Abstreiter as an assistant at the last World Cup tournament in the Czech Republic.
Söderholm noticed an increase in muscle mass in Stützle, “he has become stronger,” said the Finn, but this “only had a positive influence on the speed of action on the ice.” The Viersen native, who grew up in the Krefelder EV’s Young Talent in 1981, was He recognizes that he is “curious” and “really wants to improve every day.” DEB-Coach. It is also clear to Stützle that “an incredibly long road to becoming a perfect ice hockey player” still awaits him. And so the variable striker is honored by the comparisons with Leon Draisaitl, but he also knows: “I am still a long way from what he has achieved. There is still a very, very long way to go."
What he has achieved so far is to become one of the most sought-after players of his year worldwide. Stützle, who admired the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby in his childhood, achieved this with a convincing first professional season and 34 points scorer in 41 league games. Stützle was also competitive internationally and who knows, if the corona pandemic hadn't changed everything, he might even have had his first A World Championship. But here too he looks for the good rather than for quarreling. “I had a long summer and was able to work on a lot of things off-ice that I wanted to improve,” says Stützle, “that was good for me. I have gained a few kilos, I feel very good, even better than last year.”
Stützle spends the draft night from Tuesday to Wednesday with his family and his Mannheim teammates. “I just had the feeling that they had a big part in it and that’s why they should be there,” he explains. And in this environment it is easier to get over the fact that the big show in Montreal was canceled and the talent selection took place digitally. “It doesn’t make a big difference. It will still be remembered forever,” says Stützle, who will probably end up with the Los Angeles Kings with assistant coach Marco Sturm or the Ottawa Senators. The Canadian Alexis Lafreniere is considered to be in first place.
After the groundbreaking night, Stützle can then concentrate on his sporting development again, which – according to his wish – should take him to North America immediately. "My goal is to go to America or Canada as quickly as possible and take the next step. My goal is to play in the NHL next season“, says Stützle confidently. And he would like to spend the time until then with the Adler in the PENNY DEL. “I don't see any reason to leave Mannheim until things get going over there.” After all, this environment has been extremely good for him so far.
Photos: DEB/Jan-Malte Diekmann