FORWARDS (14)
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Alexander Ehl, Adler Mannheim
Dominik Kahun, Lausanne
Marc Michaelis, Adler Mannheim
JJ Peterka, Utah Mammoth
Lukas Reichel, Vancouver Canucks
Tobias Rieder, Red Bull Munchen
Josh Samanski, Bakersfield
Justin Schutz, Red Bull Munchen
Wojciech Stachowiak, Syracuse
Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators
Nico Sturm, Minnesota Wild
Frederik Tiffels, Eisbaren Berlin
Parker Tuomie, Kolner Haie
The backbone of the Germany forward group will be its five NHL players, Draisaitl, Stutzle, Peterka, Sturm and Reichel. It will be interesting to see who will play alongside Draisaitl. The candidates likely will be Tiffels and two former NHL players in Michaelis and Kahun, three close friends and former junior hockey teammates. With Draisaitl, Stutzle, Sturm and Kahun, Germany is deep at center. Sturm, a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2022, Colorado Avalanche; 2025, Florida Panthers), not only is a role model for teammates but also a face-off and penalty-killing specialist. He has played a more offensive role on the national team in the past but already has announced his intention to help in a bottom-six role, if needed. Expect Germany to play a high-pace game, which also includes the speedy Stachowiak, Samanski and Schutz. Important role players like former NHL player Rieder will make his comeback with the national team, and his work ethic and skills were missed at 2025 World Championship, where Germany finished ninth.
