After not qualifiying for the Olympics, a new generation of hockey players is in great demand of saving German hockey to dissappear from the scene. Amongst them, maybe the greatest talent in German hockey history.
When Team Germany faced Canada in last years opening game the target was already set as they should "avoid another relegation". Since then, things have just slightly changed as both teams are ready to battle eachother once again in this years opening match-up.
The teams biggest opponent (Norway) is not even playing in the same group as Germany's only target can be avoiding relegation for a 2nd time in a row. What has changed is the priority to reach this goal forwhy the men's team failed to qualify for Sochi 2014.
Remaining in the top division is the only chance to give young German hockey players the chance to compete on a high level and to recommend themselves for major tasks. Times have changed dramatically since guys like Marco Sturm, Jochen Hecht, Dennis Seidenberg or Christian Ehrhoff made their NHL debuts.
Nowadays German hockey players are forced to go overseas at a young age in order to make their way into the worlds biggest league. Newest example Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer, who left his hometown Rosenheim at age 16 to play in the CHL. Back in the day players were drafted when they were still playing in the DEL, whereas now they have to make their way overseas first in order to be recognized.
Before Grubauer, Thomas Greiss (drafted in 2004) was pretty much the last German player who made an NHL team for a longer period, which tells you a story about German hockey and it's "developement programme". Right across the boarder in Switzerland they had equal problems five years ago, but in contrast they've recognized them and were rewarded with success, like a 2nd place in the last World Championships.
German hockey's biggest problem is sitting in the back-office, fighting against German clubs instead of laying the foundation for a succesfull youth developement. Clubs like Adler Mannheim and Kölner Haie are pretty much left alone to build up prospects, from which the clubs themselves will probably never profit.
One of those guys who has profited from it is Cologne native Leon Draisaitl who played for both team's youth clubs. 223 points in just 34 games in the German Major Midgets League in '10-'11 have brought him the nickname "German Gretzky" and the youth of Adler Mannheim two consecutive Championships.
After just one season in the German Youth League he was drafted #2 overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2012 CHL Import Draft. With just 16-years young Leon made the step overseas to play in North America's biggest youth league.
He was the WHL’s Eastern Conference rookie of the year last season while recording 21 goals and 58 points in 64 game.
This year, the 6-foot-1, 209-pound centre is on pace to surpass that stats by miles as he's already scored 18 goals and 51 points in 33 games, making him a top 10 pick for the upcoming draft.
His teammate and Captain of the Raiders Josh Morrissey, drafted 13th overall in this years draft by the Winnipeg Jets, compares his style to Kings centre Anze Kopitar. Both are strong skaters that can protect the puck very well.
Raiders GM Bruno Campese said that "Leon’s biggest attribute is, at times, he can dominate games and create a tempo within the game. He’s going to have to try to do that at the world junior level,”
The young Centre will be the teams Captain going into his 2nd World Juniors aged 18. Draisaitl has already been Germany's top-scorer with 6 points in 6 games, scoring 2 crucial goals in the relegation battle against Latvia.
One can only hope that he get's picked by a team that utilize him well, weather it's a rebuild team like the Calgary Flames or Morrissey's Winnipeg Jets. Draisaitl himself would probably prefer the Detroit Red Wings, whereas I'd love to see him on the Bruins one day. Only one thing is sure, a dream will come true next spring for a young kid who made the right decisions at the right time.
The "Draisaitl-generation" also includes guys like German-American winger Parker Tuomie (Wenatchee Wild / NAHL) who had build a strong line with Draisaitl and Dominik Kahun (Sudbury Wolves / OHL) at last years U-18 World Juniors. Tim Bender (London Knight / OHL) and Janik Moser (Muskego / USHL) will likely build the top-defensive pairing while Marvin Cüpper (Shawinigan Cataractes / QMJHL) and Kevin Reich (Young Bulls Salzburg / MHL) will split games in net.
After two years of draught for German hockey, at least 3 members of this team are more than likely to be drafted next spring. Now it's up to them to show what they're capable of as a team.
A new generation with a big assignment is ready to take the ice, for themselves .. and for their country.
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