Tölzer Löwen bring US attacking defender (28) with a college background from England.
Bad Tölz – The Tölzer Löwen occupy their second contingent position: The American Dillon Eichstadt comes as a leading player for the defense of the DEL 2 relegated team.
The 28-year-old has experience from four years in the NCAA college league with Bemidji State University and two years as a professional for Coventry Blaze in the English Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
"We wanted an attacking defender who can also open the game," says Ralph Bader.
"And he can do that," says the managing director of the Tölzer Eissport-Gesellschaft.
Offensive defender for the second contingent position
He has garnered mixed opinions about the defender, who spent two years in the English top flight following his stint in the top-flight NCAA.
And the reviews were all positive.
"We didn't have to think long," says Bader and is happy about the newcomer.
Uses game intelligence to find open ice
Aaron Fox, among others, was able to provide information.
The former SC Riessersee striker last worked as a trainer for the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL and was able to report positive things about Eichstadt.
Lions trainer Ryan Foster also let his connections to the islands play and got a good report card for the American.
"He's a leader and will help our young players," says Foster.
"A good skater who uses his game intelligence to find open ice, very reliable defensively." Bader summarizes: "Eichstadt has good body play, always had a lot of ice time, almost always in the first defense."
College education plus two years England
His statistics did the rest to convince the lions.
Eichstadt shone above all as a preparer, contributing 25 (2019/20) and 15 (2021/22, the season in between was canceled due to Corona) assists in England.
"We wanted an offensive defender who can also be important for the power play," says Bader.
In addition, the Tölzer Eichstadt college education was positive, "the two years of experience in Europe are also good," says the Löwen boss.
Eichstadt is married with one child and didn't want to negotiate long.
"He played with open cards, didn't gamble around for long.
We came to an agreement right away,” says Bader happily.
"I think we have a top defender in him."
Two positions left
Now the Tölzer still have two positions open.
The lion boss has two options for this: "Either we find two more Germans now, then we can leave the foreigner position open and wait and see where refilling makes sense." Or the Tölzer commit a foreigner and a German, with whom they can Prepare and start the season.
The Tölz Lions
Goal: Enrico Salvarani, Josef Hölzl;
– Defence: Dillon Eichstadt, Erik Gollenbeck, Alexander Fichtner, Niklas Hörmann – Strikers: Tyler Ward, Max Brandl, Christoph Fischhaber, Justi Späth, Dominik Gißibl, Philipp Schlager, Hannes Sedlmayr, Oliver Ott, Ludwig Nirschl, Timo Sticha, Anton Engel .
– Coach: Ryan Foster.