Ostersund 2021: Get to know Germany

The 2021 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool will take place from 17-22 September in Ostersund, Sweden.

Six teams will compete, with the top three finishers advancing to the Paralympic Qualification Tournament later this year, and the top two finishers also being promoted to the A-Pool for the 2022-23 season.

Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team. Now let's take a look at Germany.

Background: Germany has spent most of the last decade bouncing between the A-Pool and B-Pool and 2006 remains its only appearance in the sport at the Paralympic Winter Games. Four players remain from the 2006 team, but it has been a crop of up-and-comers who are providing promise for the future. Germany has medalled in all but one of its World Championship B-Pool appearances finish fourth at home in Berlin 2019.

World Ranking: 11th

World Championships History:
2019 B-Pool: 4th place
2017 A-Pool: 7th place
2015 A-Pool: 6th place
2013 B-Pool: 1st place
2012 B-Pool: 2nd place
2009 A-Pool: 8th place
2008: A-Pool: 5th place
2004 A-Pool: 7th place

Athlete to Watch: Look out for 24-year-old forward Felix Schrader to take charge on the ice after leading Germany with 14 points at the last edition of the event in 2019. The Hannover native took up the sport when he was 12 years old — the same year his right leg was amputated above the knee — meaning he has now been training on the ice for more than half of his life.

Matchup to Watch: Germany vs. China at 13:30 on 22 September will be the penultimate match of the tournament, as Germany will look to exact revenge on the host nation of the next Winter Games after falling short, 4-1, at the last World Championships B-Pool. Expect a Paralympic Qualification Tournament place to be on the line in this game.

Germany roster:

Goaltenders:
Simon Kunst

Defensemen:
Robert Pabst
Christian Pilz
Lucas Sklorz
Hugo Raedler

Forwards:
Joerg Wedde
Frank Rennhack
Bas Disveld
Jacob Wolff
Bernhard Hering
Felix Schrader
Ingo Kuhli-Lauenstein
Veit Muehlhans
Jan Malte Brelage