DEL starts tomorrow

- eurohockey.com

Augsburger Panthers
The same procedure as every year. The low budget DEL team has to integrate 14 new players, since 17 players have left the team. The most severe loss is certainly the departure of goaltender Denis Endras. The MVP of the World Championships 2010 signed for the Minnesota Wild / NHL. The hopes rest on T.J. Trevelyan and John Zeiler. Both forwards posted respectable numbers in the AHL in 10-11.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games 20 wins 32 loss- Regular Season rank 14 - Did not make playoffs
Coach: Larry Mitchell (6th season)
Key Questions: Are all of the incoming players able to buy into Mitchell's system right from the beginning. If that happens the Panthers make the Play Offs.
Eurohockey preview: 12

Eisbären Berlin
The team around Sven Felski, Florian Busch and Stefan Ustorf remains a contender for the DEL championships. Even though the team lost three core players with Steve Walker, Jeff Friesen and Derrick Walser, the additions of Darin Olver (Augsburger Panther/DEL), Barry Tallackson (Augsburger Panther/DEL) and Nicholas Angell (Avangard Omsk/KHL) are supposed to fill the gaps right from the beginning of the season.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games - 30 wins 22 loss- Regular season rank 3 - Champion
Coach: Don Jackson (6th season)
Key Questions: Current DEL MVP Darin Olver is supposed to score on a regular basis. Nevertheless, in case Olver appears to be a "one hit wonder" the capitals are able to fall back on a well oiled team around Frank Hördler, Sven Felski, Florian Busch, Stefan Ustorf and Andre Rankel
Eurohockey preview: 1

DEG Metro Stars
After the semi-final loss in 2010-11, General Manager Lance Nethery wants to make another step forwards. With Rob Collins (Hamburg Freezers/DEL), Mark Murphy, Mark McCutcheon (Bozen Foxes) and Sasha Pokulok (Medvescak Zagreb/EBEL) the team lost a lot of DEL experience. Much will depend on how much time the recruits Ben Gordon (Reading Royals/ECHL) and Robert Goepfert (Florida Everblades/ECHL) need to settle in. Justin Kelly (Krefeld Pinguine/DEL), Rene Kramer (EHC München/DEL) and Jeff Ulmer (Linköpings HC/SEL) come in with abounding DEL experience, yet.  

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games - 32 wins 20 loss- Regular season rank 2 - Semi-Final loss
Coach: Jeff Tomlinson (3rd season)
Key Questions: Tomlinson has to face the serious loss of center Rob Collins (Hamburg Freezers/DEL). Much pressure lies therfor once more on the shoulders of winger Daniel Kreutzer who will need support of Jeff Ulmer, Patrick Reimer and Evan Kaufmann when it comes to offensive production.
Eurohockey preview: 5

Hamburg Freezers
After the disappointing 10-11 DEL campaign, 17 players were cut after the season. Most of the 13 players, General Manager Stephane Richer brought in, are DEL experienced. Nevertheless, Jesper Jensen (Frederikshavn White Hawks), Daniel Nielsen (Herning Blue Fox) John Curry (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins/AHL) and Charlie Cook (Langnau Tigers/NLA) have to be denoted as DEL rookies in 11-12. Patrick Köppchen (Hannover Scorpions/DEL) and Thomas Dolak (Hannover Scorpions/DEL) are supposed to build a strong core together with Christoph Schubert and Colin Murphy who return to the team.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games - 23 wins 29 loss- Regular season rank 11 - Did not make playoffs
Coach: Benoît Laporte (3rd season)
Key Questions: Rumors are circulating that the franchise which is owned by the Anschutz Entertainment group (like the Eisbären Berlin) are offered for sale. This topic could play a significant role within the course of the season since DEL hockey in Hamburg seems to be an unsecure issue. From a sporting view, much will depend on how the incoming players find their way.
Eurohockey preview: 8

Hannover Scorpions
A tough task seems to be upcoming for the players coming in since they have to replace almost the complete core of a winning team. With Patrick Köppchen (Hamburg Freezers/DEL), Thomas Dolak (Hamburg Freezers/DEL), Klaus Kathan (EHC München/DEL), Adam Mitchell (Adler Mannheim/DEL), Matt Dzieduszycki (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg/DEL), Tore Vikingstad (Stavanger Oilers/GL) and Tino Boos (Kölner Haie/DEL), the team has lost most of its leaders.
General Manager Marco Stichnoth brought in 13 new players. Stephan Daschner (ERC Ingolstadt/DEL), Eric Regan (Elmira Jackals/ECHL), Bryce Lampman (ERC Ingolstadt/DEL) and Stephan Wilhelm (Straubing Tigers/DEL) played solid in the pre season. Jeff Hoggan (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg/DEL) and Tommi Hannus (Starbulls Rosenheim/2.Div.) are signed to add scoring up front.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games  26 wins 26 loss- Regular season rank 5 - Quarterfinal loss
Coach: Anton Krinner (3rd season)
Key Questions: Are all new players able to buy into the defensive system. Are they able to stick to their intended roles?
Eurohockey preview: 4

ERC Ingolstadt
14 players have left the team, while ten new players were brought in. According to Head coach Rick Chernomaz, none of the new players was outstanding among the pre season. However, the coach sets values on team spirit and cleverness.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games 28 wins 24 loss- Regular season rank 6 - Quarterfinal loss
Coach: Rick Chernomaz (2nd season)
Key Questions: The team possesses aplenty of skills. All depends on how much time it takes to build a sports team out of many brilliant single players.
Eurohockey preview 6

Iserlohn Roosters
Nine players were brought in by GM Karsten Mende. Winger Jeff Cowan (Toronto Marlies/AHL) was initially signed as a role player but impressed by scoring several goals within the pre season match ups. Mike York (Pelicans Lahti/SM), Thomas Holzmann (Hamburg Freezers/DEL), Derek Peltier (Peoria Rivermen/AHL) and Dave Spina (Peoria Rivermen/AHL) also played were solid.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games 21 wins 31 loss- Regular season rank 12 - Did not make the playoffs
Coach: Doug Mason (2nd season)
Key Questions: Once more, the pressure will be on Robert Hock's line who centers the top sniper Michael Wolf and the hard working Jeff Giuliano. A huge gap is evident besides this trio. Only center Michael Hackert seems to be able to produce in regular basis as well. Moreover, the defense is currently only including six players. Injuries of defensemen would inflict enormous damage to the team
Eurohockey preview 13

Kölner Haie
After two losses at the beginning of their pre season, The "Sharks" managed to win six times in a row. In total they played eight games, lost only twice of them and scored 30 goals. Head coach Uwe Krupp seems to have worked out a well functioning game plan. Team captain John Tripp recently stated about his team not to carry big names but in fact to be much better than on paper.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games 25 Wins 27 loss- Regular season rank 9 - Quarterfinal loss
Coach: Uwe Krupp  (1st season)
Key Questions: During the pre season, the team got many goals by defensemen or its third or fourth line. The young team still misses a sniper. In case the team keeps on scoring without a top-scorer things are fine
Eurohockey preview 3

Krefeld Pinguine
The pre season ran anything but perfect for the "Penguins". With Sinan Akdag, Boris Blank, Francois Methot, Marc Schaub and Herberts Vasiljevs, five players had to put on the injury list. The team has to start into the season with only seven defenders and ten forwards. Nevertheless, Rick Adduono's squad must not to be undervalued. Besides all the injuries the team was able to capture three wins out of seven pre season contests.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games - 27 wins 25 loss- Regular season rank 4 - Semifinal loss
Coach: Rick Adduono (4th season)
Key Questions: Much will depend on the defense around Richard Pavlikovsky, Dusan Milo and Pascal Trepanier. German forward Daniel Pietta has become an impact player for the team on and off the ice. He needs to be supported by Francois Methot, Herberts Vasiljevs and Roland Verwey up front.
Eurohockey preview 5

EHC München
With Klaus Kathan (Hannover Scorpions/DEL) and Jason Ulmer (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg/DEL) two very experienced Forwards have been added. Noah Clarke (Augsburger Panther/DEL) is about to be able to replace Ryan Ready who retired. Nevertheless, Munich new goaltender Jochen Reimer (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg/DEL) seems to be the most valuable roster addition. The new defender Jens Olsson (Dragons Rouen/LM) played also pretty solid in the pre season.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games- 26 wins 26 loss- Regular season rank 8 - Quarterfinal loss
Coach: Pat Cortina  (3rd season)
Key Questions: The second season is always supposed to be the toughest. Much will depend on how injuries can be waived. Big names are missed within the roster. Nevertheless, Munich is supposed to be unpleasing to play against. Munich's top line consisting of defensemen Felix Petermann and Stephane Julien and Klaus Kathan, Eric Schneider and Martin Buchwieser up front can skate with any DEL line, at all events.
Eurohockey preview 14

Adler Mannheim
After a disappointing 10-11 DEL campaign, the Eagles are aiming for another run. However, the German core players Marcus Kink, Ronny Ahrendt Christoph Ullmann and Yannic Seidenberg need the former NHL goalie Fred Braithwaite to play solid between the pipes. The Canadian Defenders Yannic Lehoux and Shawn Belle were recently added to the mix. They are also expected to add stability to the defense.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games-27 wins 25 loss - Regular season rank 7 - Quarterfinal loss
Coach: Harold Kreis (3rd season)
Key Questions: Skill has never been a problem in Mannheim. More than ever, the team has to stick together in order to bounce back after an abysmal 10-11 DEL campaign.
Eurohockey preview 2


Straubing Tigers
Three wins, three losses, 19:13 goals that's Straubing's mediocre pre season record. Defensively, goalie Barry Brust (Binghamton Senators/AHL) played already solid between the pipes. Furthermore, defenseman Jean-Michel Daoust (Houston Aeros/AHL) was added to the mix to stabilize the defense around Michael Bakos, Andrew Canzanello and Calvin Elfring. Up front, incoming forward Daniel Sparre (Kölner Haie/DEL) seems to build a good line with the returnees Dustin Whitecotton and Sandro Schönberger. Carsen Germyn (EHC Olten/NLB) and Ryan Ramsay (Kölner Haie/DEL) are also expected to add scoring depth to the offense.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games-24 wins 28 loss - Regular season rank 13 - Did not make the playoffs
Coach:  Dan Ratushny (1st season)
Key Questions: Goalie Barry Brust has to play constantly well between the pipes. Head coach Dan Ratushny always wants to play with four lines. Powerhockey is supposed to be characteristical for the Tigers in 11-12.
Eurohockey preview 10

Nürnberg Ice Tigers
The Tigers' defense has been completely revised. Goaltender Tyler Moss (Hannover Scorpions/DEL) was brought in along with defensemen Paul Traynor (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg/DEL), Sven Butenschön (Adler Mannheim/DEL) and Jame Pollock (Adler Mannheim/DEL). From a German perspective, one of the most unexpected DEL off season signing was certainly the transfer of the former national player Jan Benda (Mlada Boleslav/EL) to the Ice Tigers. He seems to start into the season by centering prospect Yasin Ehliz and routinier Shane Joseph (Iserlohn Roosters/DEL). Moreover, winger Chris Collins (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins/AHL) has been added to the squad.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games-24 wins 28 loss - Regular season rank 10 - Did not make the playoffs
Coach:  Andreas Brockmann (4th season)
Key Questions: The team has neither noteworthy strengths nor weaknesses. In case the incoming players deliver and Jan Benda relives a second spring, the Ice Tigers are able to make the Play offs.  
Eurohockey preview 11

EHC Wolfsburg
2 wins 6 loss and 28:25 goals, that's the pre season record of the "Grizzly Adams". GM Karlheinz Fliegauf signed 12 new players. Goaltender Lukas Lang (Adler Mannheim/DEL) is supposed to rotate with Daniar Dshunussow in the net. Defensemen Benedikt Kohl (Augsburger Panther/DEL) and Benedikt Schopper (Krefeld Pinguine/DEL) are expected to replace Paul Traynor (Nürnberg Ice Tigers/DEL) and Chris Schmidt (Schwenninger Wild Wings/2.BL). Nathan Paetsch (Syracuse Crunch/ECHL) also seems to be able to add stability to the defense. The forwards Stephen Werner (Starbulls Rosenheim/2.BL), Matt Dzieduszycki (Hannover Scorpions/DEL) and Colin Beardsmore (Nürnberg Ice Tigers/DEL) are expected to add experience up front.

Roster

FACTS & FIGURES
10-11 DEL record: 52 games-31 wins 21 loss - Regular season rank 1 - Final loss
Coach: Pavel Gross (4th season)
Key Questions Team spirit was the key to success in 10-11. Only if the team sticks together again and buys into Gross' system the Grizzly Adams are able to deliver another great season.
Eurohockey preview 7

 

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