The international match on May 4, 2025 against the USA is not only the last test before the 2025 IIHF World Championship for the German men's national ice hockey team, but also for the referees of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEBFor André Schrader and Patrick Laguzov, the match at Düsseldorf's PSD Bank Dome is a kind of dress rehearsal. Not only will the two be part of the referee team for this match, they have also been nominated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for this year's Men's World Championship. The championship will take place just a few days later, from May 9 to 25, 2025, in Herning (DEN) and Stockholm (SWE).
With André Schrader and Patrick Laguzov, both a DEB-referee as well as a DEB-Linesmen will be on the ice at the 2025 World Championships of the Top Division. While André Schrader has already gained experience at various World Championships and Olympic Games, Patrick Laguzov is new to the circle of referees nominated for a Men's A World Championship. In recent years, the DEBThe International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has already appointed him as a line judge to a U20 and U18 World Championship, but this year the 30-year-old will be getting his first taste of action at the Men's A World Championship. His experience from over 300 appearances in the Penny DEL will be of great benefit to him. The Gelnhausen native made his debut in the top German ice hockey league in the 2017/2018 season.
Other internationally nominated referees: Caroline Butt (WWIB), Tijana Haack (WWIA)
Other internationally nominated referees: Kilian Hinterdobler (WM18IA), Seedo Janssen (WM18), Lukas Kohlmüller (WMIB), Achim Mossberger (WM18IB), Bastian Steingross (WMIIA)
Other internationally nominated line judges: Leonie Ernst (WW), Julia Strube (WWIIA)
Other internationally nominated linesmen: Tom Giesen (WMIV), Kai Jürgens (WMIA), Tobias Schwenk (WM18)
DEB-Linesman Patrick Laguzov: "I am very honored to be nominated as a linesman for the Men's A World Championship for the first time. This appointment represents not only personal recognition for me, but also a step onto the big international stage. It is the culmination of a long, intense, and successful season. I look forward to tackling this challenge with full focus and passion and making my contribution to a fair and high-class tournament. A big personal thank you goes to my family and my employer, whose active support makes participation in such an event a reality."
DEB-Head of Refereeing Manuela Gröger-Schneider: “As in previous years, this season numerous DEBReferees are nominated for international tournaments such as World Championships or Olympic qualifications. An appointment by the International Ice Hockey Federation is a special honor for every referee, regardless of whether they are assigned to the top division or another competition category. In the 2024/2025 season, 21 referees from the German Ice Hockey Federation were selected to participate in the various IIHF tournaments, including nine women and twelve men. We warmly congratulate all nominees and wish them exciting games, fair encounters, and much success in their respective assignments."