He thought for a long time, but now his decision has been made: After 19 years as a professional ice hockey player, Uli Maurer is hanging up his skates.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen - The answer is: No. Uli Maurer stops. He's not hanging on for another season, but his ice skates on the famous nail. This is a bitter blow for the ice hockey league club SC Riessersee - from a sporting as well as a human point of view. SCR managing director Pana Christakakis knows this only too well: “That really hurts.” With that, the white-blue lose an absolute figure of identification for the teammates, the fans, the sponsors, for the entire club. Accordingly, Christakakis had fought for the lead wolf for a long time. Because shortly after the end of the season, Maurer had told the managing director that it was his last season. But Christakakis did not want to accept this decision so easily, gave Maurer several weeks. He should think about it, start ponderingmaybe revise his decision and contest the 20th season in professional ice hockey - in the SCR jersey, of course. But it was all in vain, Maurer stuck to his decision and is now ending a career.
And that after a season without spectators and an early exit in the playoff quarter-finals. But that played no role in the 36-year-old's considerations. “Because there is never the right time. Quitting always sucks. Especially after so many years and incredibly beautiful moments. ”But in the life of the Garmisch-Partenkirchner, the signs point to change. On the one hand there is his new post behind the grill as "Würschtlmo", on the other hand his family. “Our children are now four and six years old. I still want to take advantage of this time, because in a few years dad won't interest her that much anymore, ”emphasizes Maurer with a smile. A double burden - company plus ice hockey - would have shortened the time with the family rapidly. "And if I do something, then 100 percent."
But he will always keep an eye on the SCR and watch the games - if possible. "With my stand, I am regularly on the balcony in front of the north foyer, so I will certainly look into the stadium once in a while." Then he sees the place where it all started. Maurer is proof that a picture-perfect ice hockey career from the SCR's offspring is quite possible. He went through all the youth teams of the Riesserseer, and the coaches of the youth national teams quickly became aware of him. They invited bricklayers to three world championships. In the senior division, he again made 17 international matches for Germany in various tournaments. He played more than 600 games in the DEL for Nuremberg, Augsburg, Munich and Schwenningen. In 2018 he returned from the House of Lords to the SCR, completed three more seasons for his hometown club,helped with the difficult restart after the end in the DEL2. Last season, the veteran once again led the team's internal scorer list with 54 points.
When Maurer looks back, he naturally also thinks of the sporting highlights: DNL title with the SCR 2001, DEL runner-up with Nuremberg and Augsburg, plus the German championship in 2016 with Red Bull Munich. “That was maybe the highlight of my career. Because we went through thick and thin in Munich, I went through everything - promotion, almost bankruptcy, championship. ”But the best things were not the big wins or the big trophies. “They were the great people I got to know in my career. I've made friends in every team, great guys. ”And on the downside? Maurer cannot and does not want to remember that. “Thank God you forget the bad again. I just look back at the beautiful moments. "
And while he's at it, he doesn't forget who he owes a lot to after 19 years in the ice hockey business. “I would like to thank my parents and family for the years of support. Thanks also to my home club for training as a professional player and to all the teams and their loyal fans with whom I was allowed to play. "
Now the SCR is missing a support that will be difficult to replace. “Of course, Uli tears a big gap because with his attitude and his leadership qualities he was a very important player. He led the way and was always a role model, ”emphasizes Christakakis. But the chapter doesn't end just like that, because "Uli", as they all call him, should also be able to say goodbye to the fans. "We want to say goodbye to such a well-deserved and likeable player at a home game on the ice." If it were up to Maurer, the man of clear words in terms of praise and criticism, this farewell would not be necessary. “To be the center of attention is not for me. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen I know every second or third person anyway. ”But of course he'll be there. And maybe it will be a "see you soon".Because when asked whether the resignation from resignation is excluded, Maurer answers after vigorous blowing: "I never say never."