A trio stays, six youngsters probably not

Krefeld penguins
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A trio stays, six youngsters probably not

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No matter what league. Goalie Sergei Belov stays with the Penguins.
Photo: BRAUER photo agency/Stefan Brauer

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Krefeld The Krefeld Pinguine announced personnel decisions on Monday. Goalkeeper Sergei Belov and the two strikers Alexander Weiß and Leon Niederberger remain. Official departures were not announced by the club.

The Krefeld Pinguine announced on Monday that goalkeeper Sergei Belov and strikers Leon Niederberger and Alexander Weiß have extended their contracts.

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Goalkeeper Belov, who moved to Krefeld in the summer of 2020, signed a new working paper for the coming season with an option for another season. The penguins also award one of only six possible contingent player licenses in the DEL2 to a goalkeeper. This step is unusual in the 2nd league because only four contingent players can be used per game. Almost all clubs rely on German goalkeepers or at least goalkeepers with a German passport in order to be able to rely on four strong imports for the field players. A solution with Oleg Shilin would have been obvious for the penguins. Sports director Sergey Saveljev sees it differently and says: “Sergei has proven that he is a reliable support for the team and he will be one of the best goalkeepers in the DEL2.” Because Belov was already under contract with the penguins last season stood, his work permit could now also be extended for the DEL2.

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Striker Leon Niederberger signed for three years. The 25-year-old moved from Düsseldorfer EG to Krefeld in the summer of 2020 and has played 74 games for the penguins in the past two years, scoring six goals and providing four assists. Niederberger, who indicated his whereabouts in Krefeld shortly after the Penguins’ last game of the season against Mannheim, said: “I want to get promoted again next season. We owe that to the club and the fans. The promotion is a matter close to my heart, which is why I decided against other offers from the DEL. The prerequisites for us to be successful next season are very good and I’m excited about the tasks that lie ahead of us”.

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The third person in the group who decided to stay in Krefeld is Alexander Weiß. The 35-year-old striker moved from Schwenningen to Krefeld in the summer of 2021 and has extended his contract by two years. Weiß, who has already played 878 games for five clubs in the DEL, always found clear words, especially after defeats, and is a leading player on and off the ice. He played 51 games for the Penguins last season, scoring eleven goals and providing ten assists. Outnumbered and outnumbered, white is an important factor for the team. Especially when outnumbered, he often throws himself into the enemy’s shots. “My family and I feel very comfortable here in Krefeld. The club, the fans and the city welcomed us very well. Our goal is clearly to get promoted again. I’ll do my best for that,” says the native of the Black Forest.

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With these signings, the penguins have taken a first step in planning their squad for the coming season. Next, the question of the trainer should be clarified so that the new trainer can also influence the squad planning.

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Of the contingent players from last season, striker Lucas Lessio seems possible. After the last game of the season, the Canadian said in the VIP room: “I’ll relax for a few days and then I’ll come back to Krefeld.” The fans can be curious to see who will stay in Krefeld from the young guard and for the penguins in the DEL 2 plays. The U20 internationals Nikita Quapp, Alexander Blank, Justin Volek and Maciek Rutkowski, like defender Philipp Mass, should be high on the lists of the DEL clubs’ scouts. U18 national striker Luca Hauf, who has just finished school, could perhaps cross the pond. It seems more likely that the two defenders Maxi Gläßl and Tom-Eric Bappert will stay with the penguins.

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