German Hockey Ascends: NHL Success Fuels Growing National Program
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Germany’s national hockey program is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth, driven by increased investment in domestic leagues and a burgeoning pipeline of talent reaching the National Hockey League (NHL). This momentum is reshaping the landscape of the sport within the country, despite facing stiff competition from the enduring popularity of soccer.
A Foundation for Success
The recent surge in German hockey can be attributed, in part, to the rapid development of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), the nation’s premier professional league. Several current NHL stars, including Moritz Seider and Tim Stützle, honed their skills within the DEL before making the jump to North America.
However, the impact extends beyond league development. A senior official highlighted the pivotal role played by Marco Sturm, currently the head coach of the Boston Bruins, during his tenure as General Manager of the German national team from 2015 to 2018. His leadership culminated in a silver medal victory at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
“I was just trying to build the foundation,” the official stated. “For me, that was the most important thing: to start by getting to the rink, establishing a daily routine and good training habits. There are a lot of things to consider, both on and off the ice. I think the most important thing, for me, was to change the culture a little and give them guidelines, a way of being a professional hockey team or federation. This is something I started and it worked very well.”
The silver medal proved to be a catalyst, attracting increased sponsorships and media attention. “It took a little while, but it definitely, definitely gained a lot of momentum,” the official added. “They needed someone to give them a framework and get things going in the right direction, and then we added some great people, not just in the hockey department, but in other areas as well.”
Work Ethic: The Constant in German Hockey
Despite the evolving strategies and increased resources, one element remains steadfast in German hockey: a relentless work ethic.
“It’s something we’ve always been proud of,” a prominent German player, Leon Draisaitl, said. “That’s really what we always rely on. This is the objective to achieve. We have a lot of talent and also some power with our star players, which will obviously help, but at the end of the day, we’re going to go out there and work hard.”
Infrastructure and Future Growth
Germany is actively investing in its national program, currently boasting 16,552 male players at the minor level (under-8 to under-20) within a population of approximately 84 million, according to data from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). However, significant improvements to infrastructure are needed. The country currently has 143 indoor arenas and 76 outdoor rinks meeting IIHF standards.
For context, Finland, a nation with a population of around 5.6 million, demonstrates a far greater investment in hockey infrastructure, with 300 indoor arenas and 280 IIHF-sized outdoor rinks, alongside 34,847 male players at the minor level.
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Despite the infrastructural gap, optimism remains high. The continued success of German players in the NHL is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes.
“Hockey will never overtake soccer in our country. That will never happen,” Draisaitl acknowledged. “But if we can find a way to involve more people, to attract more fans, to make more children want to pick up a hockey stick rather than a soccer ball, then we will have done our job. So we’re excited about all of this and hopefully there will be more to come in the future.”
