Each week, NHL.com/de looks back on the remarkable performances of German-speaking draft players and emerging developments in AHL, ECHL and junior hockey. This week games from December 10th to December 16th.
German forward Lukas Reichel of the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks farm team) had to play against the Iowa Wild for the third time in a row. Born in Nuremberg, he was eager to score in the recent 7-4 away win and provided three assists (0-3-3, +2). He added another assist in the next game against the Toronto Marlies (0-1-1, +1). The 20-year-old is still one of the IceHogs’ top scorers and should continue to gain confidence for future NHL appearances in a Blackhawks jersey. Reichel has already played for Chicago this season and has already played twelve NHL games in his career (0-1-1).
Video: CHI@DET: Reichel scores goal in first
Austrian top talent Marco Rossi of the Iowa Wild (farm team of the Minnesota Wild) faced Reichel three times in a row. The 21-year-old from Feldkirch was able to win two ties and had a three-point play (1-2-3) in the 4:7 defeat against the IceHogs. Rossi, who also made 16 appearances for Minnesota this season, is currently riding a three-point streak (1-4-5) for Iowa.
Video: CHI@MIN: Rossi shoots straight in front of goal
German Leon Gawanke of the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets farm team) once again lived up to his reputation as an offensive defender: The 23-year-old Berliner put a multi-point game on ice in a 4-1 away win at the Calgary Wranglers (1-1-2) and had a plus-minus balance of +3. Despite the captivating performances, Gawanke is still waiting for his long awaited NHL debut.
Meanwhile, two other Germans remained without scorers: 26-year-old Berlin defender Kai Wissmann of the Providence Bruins (farm team of the Boston Bruins) and 25-year-old Julian Napravnik, born in Bad Nauheim, of the Hershey Bears (farm team of the Washington Capitals) . squad).
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Other talents from the DACH region to look out for:
Below the “Major League” NHL and the “Minor League” AHL is the third-rate ECHL, from which players also move to Europe every year. Defender Lukas Kälble went the other way. The German runs for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. However, the 25-year-old from Mannheim remained without points this week.
Already drafted by NHL teams, but still “parked” in the CHL’s Canadian Youth Leagues for better development are these three talents from the DACH region:
Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) German forward Håkon Hänelt (draft 2021, 5th round, 151st place, Washington Capitals) lit the goal lamp last week. The 19-year-old from Berlin contributed a goal in the 7-3 win against the Charlottetown Islanders.
The talent Vinzenz Rohrer (draft 2022, 3rd round, 75th place, Montreal Canadiens) from Austria also appeared as a goalscorer for the Ottawa 67’s (OHL). The 18-year-old forward from Rankweil scored once in a 5-3 win at the Guelph Storm.
Swiss defenseman Brian Zanetti (2021 draft, 4th round, 110th place, Philadelphia Flyers) ran for the Peterborough Petes (OHL). In terms of goals, the 19-year-old from Lugano is going through a dry spell and is waiting for a point from six games. The Petes are coached by former DEL coach Rob Wilson (formerly of the Nuremberg Ice Tigers).
