Lots of ex US-college players competing in German DEL

[csterner]

I don't know if you've already noticed but there are quite a lot of former US college players earning their salaries in the German Professional League DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga (http://www.prohockey.de) ).

Some of them are still in championship contention (also see story below):

Kölner Haie
Tim Leahy (Miami University (Ohio))
Alex Hicks (U. of Wisconsin Eau Claire)
Mickey Elick (U. of Wisconsin)
Ron Pasco (R.P.I)
Chris Rogles (Clarkson University)

Berlin Eisbären
Kelly Fairchild (U. of Wisconsin)
Marc Beaufait (Northern Michigan University)
David Roberts (U. of Michigan)
Keith Aldridge (Lake Superior State University)
John Gruden (Ferris State University)
John Emmons (Yale)
Mark Kosick (U. of Michigan)
Richard Shulmistra (Miami University (Ohio))
Oliver Jonas (Harvard)

Krefeld Pinguine
Brad Purdie (U. of Maine)
Gary Shuchuk (U. of Wisconsin)
Sandy Moger (Lake Superior State University)

Mannheim Alder
Andy Roach (Ferris State University)
Nick Naumenko (U. of North Dakota)

Here's a quick update on what's going on overseas:

Defending champion Kölner Haie one game away from finals - Butch Goring's team still in contention

Ex NHLers Dave McLlwayn, Alex Hicks, 2002 Senators draftee Stefan Schauer and the 2nd-seeded Kölner Haie are just one win away from another trip to the DEL finals after taking a 2-0 lead against last-years runner-up, the 6th-seeded Mannheim Adler. Emotions were flying high as Mannheim's ownership and fans verbally and physically attacked the referee after game 2.

Elsewhere, the league's hottest duo, Minnesota Wild draftee Christoph Brandner and playoff-leading scorer Brad Purdie, was on fire again, tallying four goals as the 6th-seeded Krefeld Pinguine tied their semifinal series with the top-seeded Berlin Eisbären. The match-up also is a battle of former NHL coaches: Isles legend Butch Goring and former Mighty Ducks head coach Pierre Pagé.

Early exits

The Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars (who had the 3rd seed),Nürnberg Ice Tigers (5th), Kassel Huskies (7th) and Hamburg Freezers (8th, the former Munich Barons) did not make it past round 1.

For more details, there's English coverage of the DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga) on
www.prohockey.de (http://www.prohockey.de)

[kashmunnie73]

I've heard these guys in Europe get paid very well....maybe better than struggling in AHL etc to make the NHL. Europe is better for an guy with limited NHL potential. Can someone confirm? eom

[jen]

csterner, thanks for the info! There is an alumni forum for JUST this purpose, though. :)

kash: Depends on the kind of player. A lot of the guys on the list below were very good minor leaguers/borderline NHLers, and a lot of them probably benefit from the more wide open European game, in addition to not having to stay under NHL/AHL salary caps. Most of those guys played in the minors here for years. There are a few exceptions that went right to Europe after amateur hockey to either get a foot in the door or just avoid the minor league system here - Brian Rafalski is a good example of a guy that wasn't noticed by the NHL, went to Europe, improved his game, came back and is an NHL regular.

[lawj36]

If the European leagues play on Olympic size rinks, then these leagues probably are better for smaller, more skilled players.

Brian Bonin is one that comes to mind.

[csterner]

Originally posted by jen
csterner, thanks for the info! There is an alumni forum for JUST this purpose, though. :)
jen, thanks, I hadn´t noticed that... I'll keep that in mind for future posts :)

[csterner]

by the way:
Brad Purdie (U. of Maine), Gary Shuchuk (U. of Wisconsin), Sandy Moger (Lake Superior State University) and their underdog team (Krefeld Pinguine) just won the title in the DEL:

Kings and Isles legend Butch Goring has just added another championship ring to his collection. After winning four Stanley Cups as a player and two IHL titles as a coach, Goring took over the struggling Krefeld Pinguine of the German DEL last fall and led the underdog team all the way to the championship. As the sixth-seeded team, they knocked off the top three seeds, including defending champion Kolner Haie in a dramatic 5-game final series (Source: www.prohockey.de (http://www.prohockey.de))