Since 2011, Danny aus den Birken has been a member of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund national team. V (DEB). After many successes, the 37-year-old is now acting as... DEB-Goalkeeper off. The DEB thanks Danny aus den Birken for his dedicated service over many years.
Unforgettable: the Olympic silver medal from 2018
Four World Cups, two Olympic participations, a total of 47 international matches for the DEB: After eleven years as DEB-Goalie Danny aus den Birken resigns from the national ice hockey team. His greatest success was the unforgettable silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. In addition, Danny aus den Birken was voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament at the 2018 Olympics.
Danny from the Birches: “I had a long conversation with national coach Toni Söderholm. I experienced incredibly wonderful years with many highs on the national ice hockey team. There were also lows – as is the case in sports. Now it’s time to clear the way for the new generation.”
Danny aus den Birken: Successes in the DEL and on the international ice hockey stage
Danny aus den Birken can look back on numerous successes not only on the international stage, but also in national ice hockey. His breakthrough as one of Germany's best goalkeepers came in 2011 when he was with the Kölner Haien within a very short time Fangrate reached almost 95 percent. Especially in the playoffs, the Düsseldorf native was always able to go one step further and proved to be a great source of support for his teams.
In 2007 Danny aus den Birken achieved his first German championship with the Adler Mannheim. Three more titles in the DEL followed - in 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the EHC Red Bull München. In 2014, Danny aus den Birken was named DEL Goalkeeper of the Year for the first time; In 2019, in addition to being named the best goalkeeper, he was also voted Player of the Year.
DEB-President Franz Reindl: “Danny has achieved an incredible amount in the national team jersey. He was always there when we needed him and served us with pride and will DEB-Selection made. He is and will remain an important ambassador for our sport in the future, especially as the winner of the silver medal in 2018. That's why we warmly congratulate him today on his great international career and wish him only the best for his future national missions."
DEB thanks Danny from the Birches
Danny aus den Birken lives for ice hockey - and didn't let a serious knee injury in 2020 drive him away from his favorite place, the ice rink. In an interview he said “I'm not ready to live a life without hockey. I still have a lot of goals.” And he also said: “If my body cooperates and I continue to have fun with it, I would like to play ice hockey at the highest level until I’m 40.”
At the age of 37, Danny aus den Birken is now saying goodbye to the national ice hockey team after 47 international matches. The DEB is grateful to him for his commitment to the national team and wishes him all the best for his future goals, be it in the DEL or in his private life.