Blow through once at the end of the game and then only accept hugs and congratulations – DEL record goal scorer and record scorer Patrick Reimer left the Deutsche Eishockey Liga stage on Friday evening with many emotions.
After leaving his Nuremberg Ice Tigers in the pre-playoffs against the fishtown penguins the almost 20-year career of the 40-year-old Olympic hero from 2018 is over. “I’m just grateful”said the attacker after the 2: 4 (0: 2, 2: 0, 0: 2) composed at MagentaSport.
“A great player, a great person”
Unlike some of his companions, Reimer was able to hold back his tears. Meanwhile, his teammate Oliver Mebus cried uncontrollably. “He’s a great player and a great person”, the defense attorney had previously said. There was also a lot of recognition from the opponent. Reimer received the warmest hug from his former companion Alexander Sulzer. He once played with the former NHL defender and current assistant coach of Bremerhaven and the national team at Düsseldorfer EG.
In almost 20 years of DEL, Reimer only played 1069 times for DEG and Nuremberg. He scored 394 goals and collected 859 points – both records in the league. With the DEG he became vice champion twice, but it was never enough for the title. He was an important part of the national team, which achieved the greatest success in German ice hockey to date by winning the Olympic silver medal in Pyeongchang in 2018.
Future at DEB
His old friend Sulzer, with whom he worked as teenager already played in the youth of ESV Kaufbeuren, he might see him again in the future at the German Ice Hockey Federation. Reimer is said to have ambitions to help shape the future of DEB in a responsible position.