In this episode we talk to Ronja Jenike, Competitive Sports Officer Women at Deutscher Eishockey-Bund e.V.(DEB), over a Milestone for German women's ice hockey: the successful Olympic qualification for the 2026 Winter Games! What significance does this success have for the players? What decisive factors paved this path? And how has women's ice hockey in Germany developed to make such successes possible?
In the There are currently two German players active in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) – a significant step! Karl and Ronja talk about the factors that led to goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter and striker Laura Kluge making the jump to the PWHL. They also discuss whether this can be an indicator of how good a nation is at women's ice hockey. And which career path should German players choose – via the Bundeswehr, North America or other leagues around the world?
But that's not all - Karl loves to conduct thought experiments with his guests. Together with Ronja, they design a world in which the conditions are perfect for the development of women's ice hockey. What does ideal young talent development look like? And what structures are needed for this? How long should girls and boys play together? Why do you lose players on the way to the women's division?
Finally, we come to a crucial topic: Gender stereotypes in ice hockey.
It is known that gender stereotypes can influence the perception of competence in many areas, including sports. Such stereotypes can lead to male coaches or teachers being attributed more expertise or skills in certain disciplines than their female colleagues. To overcome such biases, it is important to raise awareness of these biases and take measures that promote gender equality. Karl and Ronja draw on survey results and talk about this gender imbalance in ice hockey.
An exciting episode full of insights, visions and in-depth discussions – listen now!