The further development and future direction of the large association concept POWER PLAY 26 is currently underway, but not least the national team's World Cup performance has documented how clearly the progress has been made since its introduction in 2015. While the national team was in 13th place in the world rankings at the time the restructuring began and had experienced the Olympics from a spectator's perspective for the first time, it is currently in fifth place in the IIHF ranking after participating in the semi-finals at the 2021 World Cup in Riga. A snapshot indeed, but an extremely remarkable one.
Not only is the figurehead of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund on the right track, but so is everyone else DEB-National teams. They play all the time DEB-Teams currently in the respective top division, both the women's national team and the men's U20 and U18 as well as the U18 women. The fact that 16 players currently belong to the Bundeswehr sports support group contributes to further professionalization in women's ice hockey. In addition, there is the prospect of bringing the men's and women's national teams together to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2006. The qualifying tournament for the team of women's national coach Thomas Schädler is in Füssen in November.
As POWER PLAY 26 started, this situation also looked completely different. The U20 was a kind of elevator team between the top division and Division I, the women's national team was temporarily relegated from the top division in 2015 and the U18 women were not first class either. The U18 men also suffered relegation in 2015 and took until 2019 before they returned to the top division. All of this led to a lack of interest in the national ice hockey teams, but that is a thing of the past.
Similar to the sporting sector, the economic situation has also developed positively. It was seven years ago that was DEB urgently in need of consolidation, the association is now back on an absolutely solid foundation. Even if the corona pandemic will also leave its mark here, the good economic activity of the last few years is paying off. There was a positive result in the balance sheet in 2019 and 2020. The thesis that the DEB has grown successfully can also be supported here with arguments. Before the introduction of POWER PLAY 26 The prognosis was bleak: without drastic changes in the membership, sports and support structure as well as the generation of new income, the umbrella organization would not be able to survive in sports or economic terms, it was said at the time.
The young talent offensive also took effect. The proportion of U23 players has now improved significantly at many locations, and there are more players who are competitive at a high level. This was also reflected in the NHL draft of recent years with several German players in the first two rounds. In general, the number of German players in North America has increased significantly and the status is also different.
Last but not least, the consistent training concept is also crucial, which represents another important aspect in parallel to the noticeably positive development of the five-star program. The framework training concept has set future-oriented standards in the area of training management and supports long-term and development-appropriate performance improvement in every age group. Almost 60 clubs are now involved in the star program, the number of clubs with a high rating has risen steadily and the bonus incentives, including through the "Reindl Pool", have proven worthwhile and brought considerable financial benefits to numerous clubs.
A lot has also happened in terms of marketing, revenue has increased significantly and new, renowned partners have been acquired for long-term collaborations. The picture is rounded off by the increased reputation of the DEB in the sports world as well as the prospect of a World Cup bid for 2027/2028. For further progress and the achievement of the long-term goals of POWER PLAY 26 - namely to be a regular medal candidate - it remains crucial that the prospects for German players at all levels are the priority.