NHL star Leon Draisaitl canceled the DEB team for this year's Ice Hockey World Championship. © Jason Franson/AP/dpa
Until the very end, the DEB hoped for a subsequent participation in the World Cup of the best German ice hockey player. Before the important preliminary round game against Denmark, there was now the cancellation of the NHL top star.
Tampere - Top ice hockey striker Leon Draisaitl will not travel to the World Championships in Finland and Latvia and will strengthen the German national team.
This was announced by the German Ice Hockey Federation after lengthy talks with the world-class forward of the Edmonton Oilers. According to DEB sports director Christian Künast, it is "not possible to realize his participation in the World Cup in the short time available".
Draisaitl himself had reported talks with the DEB after the NHL playoff exit with the Oilers in Edmonton. "There are a few things that need to be clarified. We'll see," the 27-year-old said. "After 92 NHL games, including two intense series, he now simply needs time to recover from the exertions and recover physically. Especially since there are also exit meetings and media appointments with the Oilers on site," said Kuenast after the talks with Draisaitl, who had completed the most successful NHL season of his career so far with 146 points.
DEB team under pressure
At the World Cup, the national team is under considerable pressure after the three opening defeats against Sweden (0-1), Finland (3-4) and the USA (2-3). In order to qualify for the quarter-finals, the remaining preliminary round matches against Denmark on Thursday (19.20 CET/Sport1 and MagentaSport), Austria, Hungary and France must be won. Otherwise, the desired direct qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan would also be gone. According to the current status, the NHL players will then also take part in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
Kuenast himself had reported until the end that he would "meticulously" try to get the NHL star to participate in the World Cup. "Leon Draisaitl - even for a game would be worthwhile. We don't need to discuss that," Kuenast said on Sunday before the Oilers' playoffs. Dpa