The Germans have had some very good results internationally in recent years, including a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics and another silver at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. They’ve had some very good young talent to work with but they haven’t had a chance to put all of their best players together on one team since the 2010 Winter Olympics. They’ve improved a lot since then. In fact, it’s no stretch to say the 2026 Winter Olympics will feature the greatest German ice hockey team ever assembled.
NHL regulars Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, J.J. Peterka, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, Moritz Seider and Philipp Grubauer are easy picks. Beyond that, there are plenty of players who have performed well for the German national team to make for some difficult choices.
Beyond Seider on defense, Leon Gawanke, Kai Wissmann and Jonas Müller seem like locks if they contine to play at their current level, and Utah HC prospect Maksymilian Szuber, who will be 23 by the time of the Games, was given decent ice time by Kreis at last year’s Worlds. Current national team captain Moritz Müller will be 39 and isn’t likely to log big minutes anymore. However, he might earn a roster spot due to his experience and leadership abilities.
Up front, there’s a fair bit of depth to choose from among players from the DEL and Swiss National League, notably ex-NHLers Dominik Kahun and Marc Michaelis. Julian Lutz, another Utah prospect who will turn 22 the month of the Games, could be considered one of Germany’s top 14 forwards if he continues to develop.
Three forwards that coach Harold Kreis hasn’t made use of in the last two years despite their production in the DEL are Dominik Bokk, the first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2018, Justin Schütz and veteran Matthias Plachta. If they weren’t selected for the Worlds, it’s unlikely they’ll be picked when all NHLers are available.
In all, the 25 names listed below include 13 who won silver in 2023, and seven of those also previously won silver in 2018.
Goaltenders (3): Philipp Grubauer, Mathias Niederberger, Tobias Ancicka.
Defensemen (8): Moritz Seider, Maksymilian Szuber, Leon Gawanke, Kai Wissmann, Jonas Müller, Lukas Kälble, Moritz Müller, Tobias Fohrler.
Forwards (14): Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, J.J. Peterka, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, Dominik Kahun, Marc Michaelis, Leo Pföderl, Yasin Ehliz, Frederik Tiffels, Wojciech Stachowiak, Maximilian Kastner, Alexander Ehl, Julian Lutz.
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