Ice hockey national coach Toni Söderholm initially reported 21 of the current 25 players in the German squad before the start of the World Cup in Finland.
Goalkeeper Dustin Strahlmeier (Wolfsburg), defender Mario Zimmermann (Straubing) and strikers Taro Jentzsch (Iserlohn) and Alexander Karachun (Schwenningen) are still missing from the official list published by the world association IIHF.
Söderholm can fill up its squad as the tournament progresses. The 44-year-old Finn was also hoping for reinforcements from North America. The national coach has AHL defender Leon Gawanke in mind should he be eliminated early in the playoffs with Manitoba Moose. NHL top star Leon Draisaitl is not an issue for the German Ice Hockey Federation even if the season ends early.
Germany will start the tournament on Friday in Helsinki (7:20 p.m./Sport1 and MagentaSport) as outsiders against record world champions Canada.