Germany's Laura Kluge made a strong case for a roster spot with the Toronto Sceptres during the PWHL's preseason.
Germany's Laura Kluge made a strong case for a roster spot with the Toronto Sceptres during the PWHL's preseason.
Laura Kluge was not drafted this past summer, which surprised many observers. She made a strong impression at the IIHF women's World Championships in Utica, New York, where Germany won all four of their round-robin games for the first time before losing to the Czechs in the quarter-finals.
Kluge’s complete game was evident with the German team. She is always on the right side of the puck defensively, and adds offense effortlessly with her quick feet and good timing. At the World Championships, she had five points in six games.
She also earned praise from German national team coach Jeff MacLeod.
"It doesn't matter where we put her in the lineup, and it doesn't matter what situation. She plays really hard, she's smart, she's got size, she's what you want in the type of a captain and leader for your team and she's a really good pro hockey player as well."
Kluge is a graduate of St. Cloud State and played with ECDC Memmingen in her native Germany last season. Her game started to take off when she returned from a wrist injury that required surgery and kept her off the ice for an extended period last year. She posted 11 points in six playoff games as the team won the championship.
The Sceptres were Kluge’s first choice to join for training camp.
“Toronto showed the most interest in me, I'd say. And just from what I heard from last year, Toronto was my first choice as well.
“But I mean, Toronto has a really strong roster, so it's going to be tough to get a spot.”
At the start of camp, Kluge was optimistic but realistic.
“Obviously you want to stand out and make a good impression, but all you can do is your best,” she said.
“And pretty much I think I did a lot over the summer to prepare myself the best I can, so I'm just going to enjoy every day and do my best. And if that's good enough, it's good enough. If it's not, then I'll try again next year.”
Comments from coach Troy Ryan after the first mini-camp game seem to indicate that it is indeed ‘good enough.’
“I thought she played a great game, a very simple game, very honest game, but played great with physicality, won a few draws, found a way to drive to the net there and pop one in. I thought she was good.”
Kluge scored in overtime against Minnesota in the first game of the mini-camp and was noticeable every time she was on the ice. She played center with Maggie Connors and Anneke Rankila, and with Sam Cogan, with the latter two seemingly in the mix with Kluge for a middle-six job.
As GM Gina Kingsbury makes her roster decisions, Kluge’s name will likely be listed as one to sign. She’s earned a contract and a spot on this team and will be a versatile player for the Sceptres.