The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund e. V. has complied with Toni Söderholm's short-term request for an early termination of the contract. The day after completion of the Deutschland Cup The 2022-year-old was there in 44 DEB-Presidium approached with the desire to join the Swiss club SC Bern. The DEB has decided to accommodate the request and give approval for the change. Söderholm is thus giving up his position as national coach, which he has held since 2019, with immediate effect. Both sides have agreed not to disclose the terms of the contract termination. The search for a suitable successor will begin immediately with great care.
DEB-President Dr. Peter Merten: “The last four years with Toni Söderholm have been successful for him DEB as well as for the national team. We would have loved to continue on the path we had chosen with him. The desire for change and daily work with a team came from Toni. We then looked into his wish intensively and ultimately came to the decision that we would comply with his wish. We wish Toni all the best for his future and of course sporting success.”
DEB-Vice President Andreas Niederberger, responsible for the sporting area: “I wish Toni Söderholm all the best in his new job. His short-term desire to move surprised us, especially since we recently extended his contract long-term. We will now take the necessary care to find Toni Söderholm’s successor for the national team.”
DEB-Sports director Christian Künast: “The collaboration with Toni Söderholm was very trusting and productive at all times. In terms of sport, the team has constantly developed under him and has managed to integrate young players again and again. This has also recently been a success Deutschland Cup Shown in 2022. After Marco Sturm, Toni Söderholm is now the second coach to take over the national coaching position DEB takes the leap to a top organization at club level. This illustrates the constant and successful development of German ice hockey and the importance that is attached to the job as national coach of the German national team.”
Toni Söderholm: “First of all, I would like the courage of the DEB-managers who trusted me to take over a successful team from Marco Sturm. All the players welcomed me openly, gave me energy, trust and time without their families. I am grateful to have spent time with these strong personalities. It was always clear to me that one day I would like to seek the challenge of daily work in the club. The chance to join a top European club for which I myself played at short notice is attractive. I would therefore like to thank the DEB-Presidium, which enables me to take this step. Thanks to all DEB-Employees in the office and the team staff, without whom these four intensive years would not have been possible.”
The collaboration of the DEB with Toni Söderholm (2019 to 2022): In January 2019, Toni Söderholm took over as national coach of the national ice hockey team. He previously worked as an assistant coach for the U20 national team. During his time as head coach of the DEB-Selection, he played in three IIHF World Championships and led the team to the quarterfinals twice (2019, 2022) and once to the semifinals (2021). Söderholm also looked after the DEB-Selection at the Olympic Games in Beijing (2022) and won two titles with the team Deutschland Cup (2021, 2022).