Moose Jaw 2023: Get to Know Germany

The 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championships will take place from 28 May - June 4 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada. The top eight teams from around the world will compete for the world title, with the top six finishers staying in the A-Pool for the next season. Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team.

Germany

Background 
Germany won the silver medal at the last World Championships B-Pool in 2021, only losing to China en route to securing a spot back in the A-Pool. 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. Its highest finish at the World Championships A-Pool was fifth place in 2008.

World Ranking: 7th

World Championships History
2017: 7th place 
2015: 6th place 
2009: 8th place
2008: 5th place
2004: 7th place 

Athletes to Watch 
Germany’s top two players from international competition, 26-year-old forward Felix Schrader and 27-year-old defenseman Lucas Sklorz, will look to make some noise in Moose Jaw to keep Germany in the A-Pool for this Paralympic cycle. The pair combined for 17 goals and 10 assists at the World Championships B-Pool in 2021. Schrader has quickly become one of the sport’s faces of the future; the Hannover native started the sport when he was 12, the same year his right leg was amputated above the knee, and likes to model his game after Korea’s speedy star forward Seung-Hwan Jung.

Matchup to Watch: Germany vs. China on 31 May
The one and only time Germany faced China was when it played for gold at the World Championships B-Pool in 2021, and lost. It will look to exact revenge in this high-stakes matchup, and now that it has seen China’s style of play, will be better equipped on how to score on and defend against the reigning Paralympic bronze medalists.