A two-way striker provides Germany with a new dimension.
Pro ice hockey player Nico Sturm is lifting the German national ice hockey team to an upper level in the Czech Republic World Championships, after experiencing two challenging defeats in his absence. He accentuates his significance both on and off the ice. Sturm is willing to take up the leadership role.
Standout player, leader and enhancer: Nico Sturm is Germany's pivotal figure in the Ice Hockey World Championship. His teammates have nothing but praise for the NHL pro, and team coach Harold Kreis is also quite impressed. Sturm elevates the national team, as evident in the 8:1 large-scale win over Latvia. "He's an absolute professional. In the dressing room and on the ice, he's a leader, undoubtedly," said Kreis, delineating his most significant player right out of the captain Moritz Müller.
Sturm is a much-admired ice hockey player that every coach would love to have on their side. He is referred to as a two-way forward, meaning he excels both defensively and offensively. He is the player faced in critical moments of the game. "You are aware that when the situation gets critical, and Nico is on the ice, he will make the right decision," said fellow NHLer JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres.
"I relish the responsibility"
The professional from the San Jose Sharks is no stranger to taking on responsibility. "I embrace it," he admitted. Sturm acknowledges his relevance. He doesn't back down from the role - in fact, he embraces it. "I hope I can boost the guys' confidence when I'm out there," he remarked. "That's also my job in San José. I believe I'm doing a great job there, too."
"He provides us with great stability," Peterka remarked. "We have that in mind and that gives us confidence as a team." Sturm manifests this on the ice. He had a hand in the first two goals in the 8:1 victory over World Championship bronze medalists Latvia. He then scored the eighth goal himself. "It was a lot of fun," said the national player.
Sturm has become an inseparable part of the team. Eleven months ago, he played a crucial part in the silver medal achievement at the World Championship in Tampere, Finland. He is now pushing the German team towards the quarter-finals again, despite a rocky start to the tournament. Sturm was absent in two World Championship games owing to an injury, and the national team had a difficult time twice against the NHL superstars from the US (1:6) and Sweden (1:6). A discourse with the coach following the two losses, as well as within the team, made a significant impact. Sturm's comeback against Latvia was noteworthy.
"He's not playing in the NHL for nothing"
"He doesn't play in the NHL, the best league in the world, for no reason," asserted Berlin's defenseman Kai Wissmann about the team lead and highlighted another of Sturm's strengths. "He battles for us and wins many clashes," emphasized the captain of the Berlin champions. "He's a highly significant player, that's beyond doubt."
Sturm should set the pace once more in the upcoming three preliminary matches. On Friday (4.20 pm/Pro Sieben and MagentaSport), he will encounter Kazakhstan. This would be followed by Poland and France on Tuesday to conclude the group stage. With two victories and two losses, the DEB team is now in a strong position. The Kreis team could even afford a defeat against the underdogs. The bare minimum goal of reaching the quarter-finals appears to be a mere formality. "We're still on track," Sturm stated.
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Sturm's NHL experience with the San Jose Sharks significantly contributes to his leadership and strategic decisions on the ice. In the NHL, he's known for his two-way play, excelling both defensively and offensively, just like in the Czech Republic World Championships.
Recognized as a formidable presence in the NHL, Sturm often faces critical game moments and makes the right decisions, similar to his impact in international competitions like the World Championships.
Source: www.ntv.de
