The German Ice Hockey Association has parted ways with coach Harold Kreis after the disappointing performance at the last World Cup.
It is an amicable separation. The 67-year-old German-Canadian’s contract with the German Ice Hockey Association actually ran until the home World Cup in 2027.
“We came to this decision after an intensive analysis”said DEB sports director Christian Künast about the separation: “Harold Kreis put himself into the service of the national team with great dedication and made significant contributions to German ice hockey.” However, they are “firmly convinced that a new impulse is now needed.”
Failed early at the World Cup
At the recent World Cup in Switzerland, the 2023 runner-up world champion missed the minimum target of the quarter-finals, as he did in 2025. In between, the Olympic tournament at the Winter Games in Milan in February with what was probably the best German national team ever and all the NHL superstars around Leon Draisaitl was also a disappointment. Despite a favorable tournament schedule, Germany carelessly squandered a possible medal.
Criticism of Kreis during the World Cup
Afterwards there was some clear criticism from the players about the coaching and the organization surrounding the games. That’s why DEB sports director Christian Künast was very self-critical afterwards. But there were no personal consequences yet.
There was also increasing criticism of the selection of personnel, the stars’ playing times at the Olympics and the coaching during the games. At the World Cup, Kreis had foregone the usual time-outs at crucial moments. Kreis also left the opportunity to have controversial goal decisions to Germany’s disadvantage re-examined unused during the Olympics and the World Cup.