AHL professional Gawanke at the Ice Hockey World Championship: play for medals

Created: 05/21/2022, 06:01

The German national ice hockey team is almost certain of reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup after beating Italy.

© Martin Meissner/AP/dpa

Newcomer Leon Gawanke wants to play for the medals at the Ice Hockey World Championships and then fulfill his NHL dream next season.

Helsinki - "We all know that we've gotten better and better in recent years, and that German ice hockey is getting bigger and bigger.

Of course our goal is to play for the medals," said the 22-year-old defender after his first appearance in the tournament in the 9-4 win against Italy in Helsinki: "We've gotten off to a good start in the tournament.

Hopefully things will continue like this.” Thanks to the fourth win in the fifth preliminary round game, the German team is almost certain to reach the quarter-finals.

Like striker Lukas Reichel, Gawanke only arrived in Finland on Thursday after the end of the season in the second-class North American professional league AHL and celebrated a good start against Italy.

“After the time change and all the flights, I felt pretty good on the ice.

I thought it would be a bit harder," said the 22-year-old: "But I think it was a good game for us to get in.

And it can only get better from now on.”

Prior to the season, the international failed to make the Winnipeg Jets NHL roster again and was sent to the second-tier Manitoba Moose in the AHL.

"I played a very good season, I'll build on that now," said Gawanke: "I think I can improve a bit next year, and then of course my goal is to play in the NHL next year.

My contract is about to expire.

I do think that it will probably go back to Winnipeg.” dpa