NHL professional Tim Stützle has been playing for the Ottawa Senators since December 2020. Although not everything is going smoothly for his team, the 21-year-old German shines with numerous goals and assists. The portrait of an ice hockey exceptional talent.
Haie coach and ex-national coach Uwe Krupp rightly describes him as an exceptional talent: Tim Stützle. In December 2020, at just 18 years old, he made the move from the DEL to the NHL, where he has since played for the Ottawa Senators. The striker from Viersen quickly made a name for himself in the North American professional league.
Although things are not going well for the “Sens” in the regular season of the Atlantic Division and reaching the playoffs is a long way off, Stützle is thriving. In the current season he has collected a strong 59 points (26 goals, 33 preparations) in 52 games (as of February 23).
NHL professional Tim Stützle still sees room for improvement
The self-confidence he gained from this is clearly noticeable in the conversation: “The coach (DJ Smith, ed.) trusts me in all situations. I play a lot, that was my goal this year.” The former Adler Mannheim player is aware of his talent and his ability to perform.
Nevertheless, Stützle, who shot the Bundesliga school league short and small in his youth in Krefeld, seems down-to-earth and grounded. The fast and agile striker continuously reflects on his own game in a self-critical manner. He still has to work on converting his chances, explains the 21-year-old, who despite his young age behaves like an experienced media professional without losing any of his authenticity.
Support in the Ottawa Senators jersey
Tim Stützle attaches conditions to participation in the World Cup
Because of his convincing performance, Tm Stützle is of course also in the focus of national coach Harold Kreis with regard to the upcoming World Cup in Finland and Latvia (12th to 28th May). Another nomination would be a great honor for Stützle and undoubtedly an enrichment for the German team. However, there is a catch.
Stützle’s participation in the tournament is subject to the conditions that his team misses the playoffs and that he survives the current NHL season without injury. Stützle no longer wants to risk starting another World Cup with injuries, as he did in 2022 and then returning to Ottawa injured.
“At the end of the day, Ottawa is paying me and if I’m not 100% fit for the new season then I’ve got a big problem.”, states Stützle, who is tied to the senators until 2031 and will earn a salary equivalent to around 63 million euros during this period. This makes Stützle the best-earning German in the National Hockey League behind Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers.
Tim Stützle is a star in Ottawa
Stützle is grateful that he is now regularly recognized in cold Canadian Ottawa. Hiding behind sunglasses or under a baseball cap pulled over his face, as the stars of the NBA and NFL like to do, is not an option for him. Photos with fans? He really likes to do it.
In addition to growing popularity, Stützle’s existence as an NHL professional means great physical strain. The regular season in the Eastern Conference alone comprises 82 games, there is a competitive game almost every other day, countless flights, intensive training sessions and possibly the playoffs or the World Cup.
Accordingly, Tim Stützle does not have much time for action-packed hobbies. He doesn’t seem unhappy about that, though: “I’m often on the couch, relaxing a bit. I try to regenerate as much as possible.”
Tim Stützle: “My fuse blew.”
When Tim Stützle is on the ice, things are often rough, both physically and verbally. Scraps fly not only between the ice hockey pros, the referees also often get the frustration of the players. Even the level-headed Stützle sometimes loses his composure with all the adrenaline and takes his frustration out on the team of referees.
“If I’ve ever said something to the referee, I’ll come back to him after the game and say, ‘I’m sorry, my fuse blew.'”explains Stützle and points out that in ice hockey everything is clarified on the ice – and it is exactly this emotionality that Stützle appreciates.