Former NHL star Christian Ehrhoff is now playing skater hockey

Five minutes before the end of the second period, the home team looked set to win 6-2. However, Duisburg caught up goal by goal and eight minutes before the end of the game it was 6:6. In the final phase, however, the hosts secured the well-deserved 8:6 victory in front of 300 spectators with two goals.

Some of the spectators also came because Krefeld could rely on prominent support from the ice hockey camp. In addition to ex-Pinguine professional Joel Keussen, who is now at Kassel Huskies plays, also traded the two champion penguins from 2003 Adrian Grygiel and Christian Ehrhoffwho have favourited skates versus rollerblades.

When asked about their involvement with the Bears, Ehrhoff and Grygiel answered in unison: “We have been friends with coach Fabian Peelen for many years. He approached us because some regular players were unable to play on Saturday. We were then happy to help out.”

If you believe the two, then it will remain as it is for the time being: “There is nothing else planned for the time being,” said Ehrhoff after the game, when he first had to give plenty of autographs to his young fans. The ex-NHL star, who was of course wearing the number 10 jersey on the floor in the hall, was also readily available for photos.

The silver medalist at the 2018 Olympics then took the time to talk to our editors. “The last time I helped out here was in 2015, when I still had the gloves from Pittsburgh,” recalled the 40-year-old. “The speed here isn’t as high as in ice hockey because the ball doesn’t travel as fast as the puck. But it was still very exhausting, also because of the high temperatures here in the hall.” Ehrhoff mostly acted from the defense. But shortly before the end of the game, a brilliant slap shot from him landed just next to the Duisburg goal.

Asked about his preparation for re-entering the ice in the OF THE 2 for the Krefeld Penguins, the defender said: “I managed a third of the preparation. I’m quite happy with that. I train about 12 to 14 hours every week, but I also pay attention to regeneration. And if there’s a pinch, I’m right at the source,” said the owner of a large rehabilitation and fitness studio in Moers. When asked if the season could start anytime soon, he replied: “No, luckily I still have eight weeks left.”