Lukas Reichel (pictured) and Leon Gawanke both had their IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship debut last year in Riga, Latvia.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
The German Ice Hockey Association announced that Leon Gawanke and Lukas Reichel will join the men’s national team currently competing in Helsinki at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Both players finished their AHL seasons and will play their second IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship with the men’s senior national team after their debut in 2021.
22-year-old defenceman Gawanke is in his third season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose where he was his team’s top-scoring defender with 10 goals and 26 assists in 65 games.
20-year-old forward Reichel, a first-round draft pick (#17) in 2020, finished his first season in North America after moving from Eisbaren Berlin to the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He appeared in 11 NHL games (1 assists) and spent most of the season with the AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs where he led the team in goals (21) and points (57).
Both players are expected to arrive in Helsinki tomorrow and could be in the line-up for the game against Denmark once registered in time. After their arrival the Germans would still have roster spots open for one goalkeeper and another skater.
“Leon can improve our playmaking as he proved last year. He also adds to the physical component and can lead the power play. Lukas is a player, who at the 2021 Worlds already showed maturity on the international stage. His creativity is a trump for us,” said Germany head coach Toni Soderholm.
Mario Zimmermann and Taro Jentzsch, who have been part of the team during the camp, will travel home and won’t be registered.
Both players finished their AHL seasons and will play their second IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship with the men’s senior national team after their debut in 2021.
22-year-old defenceman Gawanke is in his third season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose where he was his team’s top-scoring defender with 10 goals and 26 assists in 65 games.
20-year-old forward Reichel, a first-round draft pick (#17) in 2020, finished his first season in North America after moving from Eisbaren Berlin to the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He appeared in 11 NHL games (1 assists) and spent most of the season with the AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs where he led the team in goals (21) and points (57).
Both players are expected to arrive in Helsinki tomorrow and could be in the line-up for the game against Denmark once registered in time. After their arrival the Germans would still have roster spots open for one goalkeeper and another skater.
“Leon can improve our playmaking as he proved last year. He also adds to the physical component and can lead the power play. Lukas is a player, who at the 2021 Worlds already showed maturity on the international stage. His creativity is a trump for us,” said Germany head coach Toni Soderholm.
Mario Zimmermann and Taro Jentzsch, who have been part of the team during the camp, will travel home and won’t be registered.