The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) will again assume responsibility for the entire Refereeing in the DEL2This includes the allocation, professional management, and further development of the referees. The basis for this decision is the existing cooperation agreement between DEB and DEL2. 2-year-old Gordon Schukies will serve as the DEL46 referee representative.
With this step, follow DEB and DEL2 The goal is to consolidate the management and promotion of refereeing in a central structure under the umbrella of the association, thereby further developing quality and consistency in all areas – with regard to both national and international requirements. Previously, the DEL2 managed refereeing independently.
As a new referee representative of the DEB shall Gordon Schukies of the DEL2. Schukies was a professional referee since the 2014/2015 season and ended his successful career as an umpire after the end of the 2023/2024 season. Since the 2024/2025 season, Schukies has been in the game operations of the DEB as a referee coach. In this role, he supervised the head referees of the PENNY DEL last season, working with Lars Brüggemann, Rob Shick, and Andreas Kowert, who was responsible for the linesmen. In his new role, Schukies will oversee the planning and organization of refereeing operations in the DEL2.
Special thanks go to Stefan Vogl, who has been responsible for refereeing for the DEL2 in recent years with great dedication, expertise, and reliability – his work has been valued throughout the league and beyond. Vogl will remain with the DEL2: He will continue to assume responsibility for the "Department of Player Safety" (DOPS). In this role, he will review game scenarios, assess rule violations, and support the subsequent analysis of referee decisions.
Christian Kunast, Sports Board of the DEB stated: “We welcome the joint decision that refereeing is now back under the responsibility of the DEB returns. Centralized, coordinated leadership is essential for the further development and recruitment of young talent in this important area. At the same time, we would like to expressly thank Stefan Vogl for his outstanding work. With Gordon Schukies, we have appointed an absolute expert as the DEL2 Referee Representative, who will closely monitor league activities."
René Rudorisch, Managing Director of the DEL2 adds: “Especially in view of the challenges ahead, it is important that this area is centrally managed and further developed. DEB forms the foundation of refereeing, which is why, in keeping with the original cooperation agreement, we have decided to no longer leave responsibility with the league itself. Aspects such as player safety and consistent compliance with our rules are becoming increasingly important in our sport. I am therefore all the more pleased that we will continue to have an experienced and proven force in Stefan Vogl at our side and that we are gaining a proven expert in Gordon Schukies."
Gordon Schukies, Referee Representative of the DEL2: "I am very much looking forward to my new role as Referee Representative of the DEL2. After several years as a professional referee in the highest German league and my current work with the head referees of the PENNY DEL, I bring a lot of experience with me, which I would like to pass on – to young talents as well as to experienced colleagues who want to develop further. My main goal is to further strengthen refereeing in the DEL2 and take it to a new level. The close connection to DEB and the PENNY DEL opens up exciting opportunities to create perspectives for our referees and explore new avenues – not necessarily with the goal of reaching the PENNY DEL, but with the ambition to get the best out of each individual."