The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) will centralize its club support operations effective July 1, 2026, shifting to a regional, league-independent model designed to increase on-site visits and improve support for smaller clubs. The reorganization follows an intensive coordination process between the DEB, the PENNY DEL, the DEL2, and the German Ice Hockey Youth Development Association (Förderverein des Deutschen Eishockey Nachwuchses e.V.).
Why the DEB is Changing its Support Structure
The primary goal of this restructuring is to reduce travel requirements for club consultants, allowing them to spend more time working directly with teams. By shifting to regional jurisdictions, the federation aims to foster closer relationships with local organizations. According to the DEB, this move will specifically benefit smaller clubs that require more frequent and consistent guidance to manage the complexities of youth development.
The transition to this regional model began in autumn 2025 as part of a phased implementation plan. By July 2026, the new structure will be fully operational, replacing the previous system that was often tethered to specific league structures.
Who is Leading the New Support Team
To facilitate this transition, the DEB has expanded its staff with experienced personnel from various levels of the sport. The team includes:
- Julia Zorn: A former captain of the German women’s national team and most recently a full-time coach in Miesbach.
- Danny Pyka: A veteran of the Eisbeeren Berlin youth development program.
- Anja Strohmenger: The former state coach for North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Markus Gleich: A long-time coordinator for DEL2 clubs.
- Uli Liebsch: A key contributor to the development of the DEB’s "Star Program" (Sterneprogramm).
- Florian Ondruschka: The DEB Head Coach for Talent and Club Support, who continues his leadership role.
Florian Ondruschka and Uli Liebsch will serve as the joint professional leads for the department. The team is scheduled to hold a kickoff meeting in July to finalize the upcoming criteria for the "Star Program," with updates planned for the 2027/2028 season.
How the New Model Impacts Clubs
The federation emphasizes that the change is intended to improve the quality of daily operations within the clubs. Uli Liebsch noted that the focus will shift toward sharing best-practice examples and implementing "coach-the-coach" measures to address the challenges of youth hockey.
"Our goal is to accompany the clubs even more closely, strengthen direct exchange, and support them in the diverse challenges of youth work," Liebsch stated.
Florian Ondruschka added that the regional division creates the necessary conditions for more individual attention. By reducing travel time, consultants can dedicate more effort to the actual content of club development, which the federation believes is essential for the long-term growth of German ice hockey.