Germany's Tobias Eder #21 skate to the bench after a first period goal against Slovakia during preliminary round action at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.
photo: ©️ International Ice Hockey Federation / Matt Zambonin
Tobias Eder, a forward with Eisbaren Berlin and a member of Germany’s 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship team, died on 29 January as a result of cancer that had spread quickly through his body. He was just 26.
"Eisbaren Berlin is in shock. Our deepest condolences go to his family, his fiancée, his friends and all who knew and loved him", the club wrote on its web site.
“Thank you for everything, Tobi. We will never forget you,” wrote EHC Munich, a former team of Eder’s, on their website.
Eder’s decline began last August during medicals prior to the start of the 2024-25 DEL season. Doctors discovered a malignant tumor and began treatment immediately.
“In moments like these, the sporting aspect takes a back seat,” said club managing director Thomas Bothstede at the time. “We are all shocked by Tobi’s illness. His news has hit his teammates hard, and they have to process it first… He and his entire family will undoubtedly receive all the support they need from us. We wish them a lot of strength... We are with them in these difficult times.”
In November, Eder sent a thank you to the fans via video message. Indeed, on December 22 Eder was in good spirits and wore his Munich jersey at Michael Wolf’s banner-raising ceremony at SAP Garden. Soon after, however, his swift decline began.
Eisbaren Berlin cancelled its game scheduled for tonight against ERC Ingolstadt and instead came together as a team to pray for their teammate.
Eder began his career in the Bad Tolz system as a teenager, and in 2015 he represented Germany at the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. He led the team in both goals (3) and points (4), but the team was demoted for 2016. Later that year, he was named player of the year in the German Junior League (DNL).In subsequent years he played at a second U18 Worlds Division I Group A, as well as three Men’s U20 Worlds Division I Group A.
In domestic league play Eder developed into a fine player, first with Dusseldorf, and then Eisbaren. In 2023-24, he recorded a career-high 22 goals, and helped Eisbaren win the DEL championship. At season’s end, he was named to the senior team for the World Championship in Czechia. In his first game, he scored an empty netter to seal a 6-4 win over Slovakia which helped the Germans qualify for the quarter-finals. It was his only goal in three games.
Once his diagnosis was known last August, the team and league rallied around Eder, supporting him in many ways. Before every home game, for instance, Eisbaren fans called out his name when the starting lineup was announced.
And now, Eder is gone, far too young. He was loved and respected, and he was a talented hockey player who will always be remembered within the hockey community.
"Eisbaren Berlin is in shock. Our deepest condolences go to his family, his fiancée, his friends and all who knew and loved him", the club wrote on its web site.
“Thank you for everything, Tobi. We will never forget you,” wrote EHC Munich, a former team of Eder’s, on their website.
Eder’s decline began last August during medicals prior to the start of the 2024-25 DEL season. Doctors discovered a malignant tumor and began treatment immediately.
“In moments like these, the sporting aspect takes a back seat,” said club managing director Thomas Bothstede at the time. “We are all shocked by Tobi’s illness. His news has hit his teammates hard, and they have to process it first… He and his entire family will undoubtedly receive all the support they need from us. We wish them a lot of strength... We are with them in these difficult times.”
In November, Eder sent a thank you to the fans via video message. Indeed, on December 22 Eder was in good spirits and wore his Munich jersey at Michael Wolf’s banner-raising ceremony at SAP Garden. Soon after, however, his swift decline began.
Eisbaren Berlin cancelled its game scheduled for tonight against ERC Ingolstadt and instead came together as a team to pray for their teammate.
Eder began his career in the Bad Tolz system as a teenager, and in 2015 he represented Germany at the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. He led the team in both goals (3) and points (4), but the team was demoted for 2016. Later that year, he was named player of the year in the German Junior League (DNL).In subsequent years he played at a second U18 Worlds Division I Group A, as well as three Men’s U20 Worlds Division I Group A.
In domestic league play Eder developed into a fine player, first with Dusseldorf, and then Eisbaren. In 2023-24, he recorded a career-high 22 goals, and helped Eisbaren win the DEL championship. At season’s end, he was named to the senior team for the World Championship in Czechia. In his first game, he scored an empty netter to seal a 6-4 win over Slovakia which helped the Germans qualify for the quarter-finals. It was his only goal in three games.
Once his diagnosis was known last August, the team and league rallied around Eder, supporting him in many ways. Before every home game, for instance, Eisbaren fans called out his name when the starting lineup was announced.
And now, Eder is gone, far too young. He was loved and respected, and he was a talented hockey player who will always be remembered within the hockey community.