As part of the structural reform of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) The required entry in the association register was completed at the end of July. This means that the new management structure of the Munich-based association, with its six-member supervisory board and two full-time board members, is now formally in effect.
At the extraordinary general meeting on 31 May 2025, the DEB-Members the change in the organizational structure of the DEB passed with a clear vote and confirmed the changes to the statutes. At the event in Ingolstadt, the six supervisory board members and subsequently initiated the entry of the changes to the statutes in the association register. As one of the first official acts, the DEB-Supervisory Board following a structured selection process with Frank H. Lutz (Chairman of the board) and Christian Kunast (Sports Board) appointed two full-time board members who will be responsible for the operational management of the DEB The two new board members of the DEB were presented at the end of June.
DEB-Board, Photo: City-Press
With the entry in the association register completed as planned, Frank H. Lutz and Christian Künast will take over the operational management of the DEB and represent it jointly in accordance with the statutes. The previous president of the DEB, Dr. Peter Merten, will remain with the association as chairman of the newly installed supervisory board.
2027 Ice Hockey World Championship Organisation Company Ltd. staffed
In this context, the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship Organisation Company Ltd. personnel in the management: Claus Gröbner, who was already appointed Managing Director of the GmbH in 2024, is now moving from his previous dual role as Secretary General of the German Ice Hockey Federation and Managing Director of WM GmbH to the operational management of the company, which is entrusted with the planning and implementation of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Gröbner will assume overall responsibility for the organization of the major event and manage the strategic and economic direction of WM GmbH. DEB is convinced that Claus Gröbner is exactly the right person for this key role – not least because he was already significantly involved in the successful application process. In 2023, the DEB was awarded the contract to host the World Championship at the IIHF Congress.
Another personnel change is Panagiotis Christakakis from DEB to WM GmbH. The previous head of DEBLeagues will take over the position of Director for Marketing, Commercialization & Organization of the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship Organizational Company Ltd. In his new role, Christakakis will be responsible for key tasks related to external representation, partner acquisition, and event implementation of the 2027 World Championship. Since July 1, 2023, Christakakis has been responsible for the DEB tätig.
Claus Groebner, Managing Director of the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship Organisation Company Ltd.: "The 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is a great opportunity for German ice hockey – on and off the ice. I'm very much looking forward to shaping this path together with a strong team. Our goal is to organize a tournament that inspires athletics, is economically successful, and has a lasting impact."
Dr. Peter Merten, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DEB: “I am pleased that the structural reform of the DEB by resolution of the extraordinary general meeting on 31 May 2025 and the now completed entry in the register of associations. With the now introduced "supervisory board model", two key objectives of the association have been achieved: Firstly, by representing all member groups of the DEB The newly created supervisory board has further integrated all the forces within German ice hockey; second, the two new board members, Frank H. Lutz and Christian Künast, will have the necessary scope of action with expanded responsibility to lead the association successfully into the future. Frank H. Lutz and Christian Künast are both experienced and proven managers in their respective fields. I look forward to working with them both in the new management structure. ParaIn order to realign the association structurally, we founded the "2027 WM GmbH" after being awarded the contract by the world association in 2023 to host the 2027 World Cup at home. With Claus Gröbner, we have an experienced colleague for the task as managing director of the wholly-owned subsidiary of the DEB He knows the structures of international ice hockey, has extensive networks and brings the expertise and passion for the successful management of the 2027 World Championship project. I would like to thank him for his now complete move from DEB to “2027 WM GmbH” for his work as Secretary General of the association and look forward to continued trusting cooperation.”
DEB-Supervisory Board, Photo: City-Press