Each week, NHL.com/de looks back on notable performances by German-speaking draft players and emerging developments in the AHL, ECHL, and junior hockey. This week the games from January 7th to 13th, 2023.
German defender Kai Wissmann made his comeback on AHL ice: After not having played a single game for the Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins farm team) since December 28, 2022, he was in the lineup twice this week: both in the away game in the Bridgeport Islanders (6:3) and in the home game against the Utica Comets (3:2), the 26-year-old from Villingen-Schwenningen not only successfully defended a win, but also supported the offensive with one assist per game and strong ones Plus-minus values of +2 and +3, respectively. After this impressive week, Wissmann should have recommended himself for a place in the line-up and will play regularly again in the future.
Swiss goalie Akira Schmid is back in full swing in the AHL and put in strong performances for the Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils farm team). The 22-year-old from Bern started in two of four games in the observation period and recorded two wins (2-0-0). In the 2-1 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds, Schmid saved a whopping 38 shots (97.4 percent catch rate). In the 3:2 a.e.t. against the Cleveland Monsters, he made 25 saves (92.6 percent save rate). The 1.95 meter giant proved once again that he can be relied on and continues to be an NHL option for the Devils.
There was one point in three games for the Austrian Marco Rossi, who with the Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild farm team) was able to win all games during the observation period (4:1 against the Rockford IceHogs, 5:2 and 4:0 at the Grand Rapid’s Griffins). The 21-year-old from Feldkirch gave an assist against the IceHogs and also had a positive plus-minus balance of +3 this week. Minnesota’s 2020 first-round pick (9th) has been in the AHL since late November 2022 and is already the sixth-best scorer in Iowa (5-11-16) after just 17 games. Before that, he had one assist in 16 games in the NHL.
The dry spell of German defender Leon Gawanke from the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets farm team) continues. The 23-year-old Berliner also missed out on the defeats at the Belleville Senators (1:6) and at the Toronto Marlies (2:3) and has not scored a point for five games. It’s the longest pointless streak for the attacking defender this season. The right-hand shooter, who was selected 136th in the 5th round of the 2017 NHL Draft, is the Moose’s top scoring defensive end with seven goals.
The German center forward Lukas Reichel was used in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks last week and did more than well in three games: The 20-year-old from Nuremberg scored three points (one goal, two assists), but then became a farm team Rockford IceHogs returned and is expected to play in the AHL again next week.
Video: CGY@CHI: Reichel scores a goal and two assists
The German attacker Julian Napravnik from the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals farm team), who played his last AHL game on December 28, 2022, is still waiting for an assignment.
Other talents from the DACH region to watch out for:
In the ECHL, German defenseman Lukas Kälble plays for the Florida Everblades and has one point in three games this week. The 25-year-old from Mannheim provided an assist in the 4-1 home win against the Orlando Solar Bears.
After the U20 World Cup, Austrian striker Vinzenz Rohrer (NHL Draft 2022, 3rd round, 75th place, Montreal Canadiens) was back in action in the Canadian Junior League OHL. The 18-year-old from Rankweil scored two points in two games for the Ottawa 67’s (1-1-2) and extended his scoring series to three games across the World Cup (2-1-3).
The Swiss defender Brian Zanetti (NHL Draft 2021, 4th round, 110th place, Philadelphia Flyers) from the Peterborough Petes (OHL) and the German striker Håkon Hänelt (NHL Draft 2021, 5th round, 151st place, Washington Capitals) from the Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) have not yet played again.