The DEL players are back on ice, preparing for the 2009-10 season. The rosters are virtually completed, and here's a breakdown

 DEL is by far the European league with most foreign players - in total 160. In recent seasons, DEL has, under heavy pressure from DEB, finally introduced restrictions. In 2008/09, the teams could ice 12 foreign players. In 2009/10, this has been reduced to 10.

No less than 85% (136) of the foreign players are North American (in particular, Canadian). In DEL; Slovakia and Czech Republic have 5 players each, Norway and Sweden 3 player each. Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Latvia, Russia and Germany have one player.

Kölner Haie has the most diversified roster with 10 foreign players from 7 countries. Mannheim virtually only has Canadian players (11). Eisbären Berlin is the the team with the fewest foreign players, namely 7. This is partly due to the fact that Berlin Eisbären Jr. (Oberliga) has been folded and several young players have been moved up from this team.

Among the foreign leagues, the American Hockey League (AHL) remains the primary supplier of new players to DEL. During the offseason, the DEL teams have imported 13 players from this league. Another 6 players come from other North American leagues. KHL, Elitserien, SM-Liiga, EBEL and the Danish Albankliga have delivered three players each. Finally, DEL has imported 2 players from the Italian Serie A, and one from the Swiss NLA, the Swiss NLB and the Czech Extraliga.

Given the high import of players from AHL (many of whom have dipped into the NHL), it should come as no surprise that DEL is the most physical league in Europe, but this doesn't mean that the DEL can be compared with the AHL. Interviews with players who have played in both leagues as well as scouts who operate for DEL clearly indicates that the AHL game is faster (due to the smaller rink size) with much less puck possession and more emphasis on the physical than the technical aspects of the game.

DEL 2009-10

ROSTERS 2009-10

AUGSBURGER PANTHER
Established: 1878
Titels: 0
Budget:
Home arena: Curt-Frenzel-Stadion (cap. 7.444)
Head coach: Larry Mitchell
Homepage: www.aev-panther.de
Oberliga affiliate: EC Peiting

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 44. Dennis Endras
• 02. Rotislav Haas

Defense
• 04. Chris Heid (New! - Krefeld Pinguine)
• 09. Jeff Likens
• 13. Steffen Tölzer
• 20. Patrick Seifert
• 21. T. J. Kemp (New! - Hamilton Bulldogs, AHL)
• 34. Benedikt Kohl
• 43. Christian Chartier
• 69. Florian Kettemer

Forwards
• 08. Brett Engelhardt
• 10. Rhett Gordon
• 11. Colin Murphy (New! - Portland Pirates, AHL)
• 14. Steve Junker
• 16. Tyler Beechey (New! - Iserlohn Roosters)
• 17. Chris Collins
• 18. Michael Kreitl
• 19. Connor James (New! - Wilkes Barre/Scranton, AHL)
• 22. Thomas Jörg
• 23. Matt Ryan
• 40. Darin Olver (New! - Straubing Tigers)
• 77. Uli Maurer

Subtractions:
Mathis Olimb (Frölunda, SWE), Mark Murphy (DEG), Patrick Buzas (F- ERC Ingolstadt), Paul Flache (D - Herner 2007 E.v, GER-2), Thomas Gödtel (D - Heilbronner EC, GER-1)

Pre-season
07 Aug 2009, Krefeld Pinguine - Augsburger Panther
09 Aug 2009, Augsburger Panther - ERC Ingolstadt
14 Aug 2009, Augsburger Panther - Nürnberg Ice Tigers (at Straubing)
21 Aug 2009, Augsburger Panther - Frankfurt Lions
25 Aug 2009, Graz 99ers (EBEL) - Augsburger Panther
28 Aug 2009, Augsburger Panther - Graz 99ers (EBEL)
30 Aug 2009, ESV Kaufbeuren (GER-2) - Augsburger Panther
30 Aug 2009, Kaubeuren Joker (GER-1) - Augsburger Panther

EISBÄREN BERLIN

Established: 1954
Titles: 20
4x German Championship (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)
15x East German Championship (1966, 1967, 1968, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
1x DEB Pokal (2008)
Budget:
Home arena: O² World (cap. 17.000)
Head coach: Don Jackson
Homepage: www.eisbaeren.de
Oberliga affiliate: Eisbären Berlin Juniors

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 01. Markus Keller (New! - Eisbären Berlin Jr., GER-2)
• 72. Rob Zepp

Defense
• 04. Marvin Degon (New! - Wolfsburg)
• 06. Andy Roach
• 07. Frank Hördler
• 17. Derrick Walser (New! - Vityaz Chekhov, KHL)
• 21. Dominik Bielke
• 29. Jens Baxmann
• 44. Steve Hanusch
• 49. Ritchie Regehr

Forwards
• 10. Chris Hahn (New! - Univ. of Maine, NCAA)
• 11. Sven Felski
• 12. Laurin Braun
• 14. Stefan Ustorf
• 15. T. J. Mulock (New! - Tölzer Löwen, GER-2)
• 20. Denis Pederson
• 24. André Rankel
• 26. Florian Busch
• 27. Steve Walker
• 28. Patrick Pohl
• 43. Alexander Weiss
• 57. Daniel Weiss
• 62. Tyson Mulock
• 90. Constantin Braun


Subtractions:
Deron Quint (D - Neftekhimik, KHL), Youri Ziffzer (G - Hannover Scorpions), Rene Kramer (D - Kassel Huskies), Nathan Robinson (F - Adler Mannheim), Mark Beaufait (F - Retired), Normal Martens (F - ERC Ingolstadt), Brandon Smith (D - TBD), Matt McIlvane (F - TBD), Christian Swärd (F - TBD), Dominik Bielke (D- on loan to Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-2), Steve Hanusch (D- on loan to Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1), Laurin Braun (F- on loan to Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1), Patrick Pohl (F- on loan to Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1)

Pre-season
14.08 09, Dresdner Eislöwen (GER-1) - Eisbären Berlin
15.08 09, Wolfsburg - Eisbären Berlin
16.09 09, HC Plzen (CZE) - Eisbären Berlin
18.09 09, ZSC Lions (SUI) - Eisbären Berlin
20.08 09, Fribourg Gotteron (SUI) - Eisbären Berlin
22.08 09, SC Bern (SUI) - Eisbären Berlin
25.08 09, Sparta Praha (CZE) - Eisbären Berlin

DÜSSELDORF METRO STARS

Established: 1935
Titles: 9
8x German Championship (1967, 1972, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996)
1x DEB-Pokal (2006)
Budget:
Home arena: ISS-Dome (cap. 13.400)
Head coach: Harold Kreis
Homepage: www.duesseldorfereg.de

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 01. Jean-Sebastian Aubin (New! - Philadelphia Phantoms, AHL)
• 31. Mathias Lange (New! - R. P. I (NCAA))

Defense
• 05. Korbinian Holzer
• 07. Marian Bazany
• 08. Marco Nowak
• 26. Ryan Caldwell
• 27. Patrick Traverse (New! - Worchester Sharks, AHL)
• 28. Chris Harrington
• 29. Tim Schuele
• 53. Jason Holland (New! - ERC Ingolstadt)
• 81. Francesco Lahmer

Forwards
• 09. Evan Kaufmann
• 14. Ryan Ramsey
• 15. Brad Tutschek
• 16. Patrick Reimer
• 17. Mark Murphy (New! - Augsburger Panther)
• 19. Rob Collins
• 21. Adam Courchaine
• 22. Craig McDonald (New! - Syracuse Crunch, AHL)
• 23. Daniel Kreutzer
• 41. Shane Joseph
• 55. Brandon Reid


Subtractions:
Tim Schüle (D - EHC Freiburg, GER-1); Mike Vannelli (D - Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1), Jamie Storr (G - retired), Björn Linda (G - Herner Ev, GER-2), Andy Hedlund (D - Mannheim), Fabio Carciola (F- Kassel Huskies), Peter Boon (F - Ev Ravensburg, GER-1), Jochen Reimer (G - Wolfsburg), Peter Ratchuk (D - Hamburg Freezers), Mike Vannelli (D - Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1)

Pre-season
07.08.09, Adler Mannheim - DEG Metro Stars
08.08.09, Heilbronner Falken (GER-1) - DEG Metro Stars
09.08.09, SC Bietigheim (GER-1) DEG Metro Stars
14.08.09, Iserlohn Roosters - DEG Metro Stars
16.08.09, Krefeld Pinguine - DEG Metro Stars
22.08.09, Kassel Huskies - DEG Metro Stars
28.08.09, Frankfurt Lions - DEG Metro Stars
30.08.09, Wolfsburg - DEG Metro Stars

FRANKFURT LIONS

Established: 1991
Titles: 1
1x German Championship (2004)
Budget:
Home arena: Eissporthalle am Ratsweg (cap. 6.946)
Head coach: Rick Chernomaz
Homepage: www.frankfurt-lions.de

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 34. Ian Gordon
• 43.Thomas Ower

Defense
• 02. Michael Bresagk
• 06. Michel Periard (New! - Nürnburg Ice Tigers)
• 07. Nicholas Angell (New! - HV71, SWE)
• 08. Sebastian Osterloh
• 09. Lasse Kopitz
• 26. John Slaney
• 51. Daniel Kunce
• 72. Sean Blanchard (New! - Hamburg Freezers)

Forwards
• 12. Chris Taylor*
• 14. Simon Danner
• 15. Aleksander Polaczek (New! - Nürnburg Ice Tigers)
• 16. Tobias Wörle
• 17. Thomas Oppenheimer
• 19. Christoph Gawlik
• 21. Josh Langfeld
• 24. Jamie Wright
• 28. Jason Young
• 29. Ilya Vorobiev
• 39. Derek Hahn
• 41. Joey Tenute (New! - Jokerit, FIN)
• 44. Jeff Ulmer (New! - MODO, SWE)

Notes
*) to play for Rochester Americans, AHL, acc. to Eliteprospects

Subtractions:
Lance Ward (D - HV71, SWE), Greg Johnson (F- Wolfsburg), Sven Gerbig (F - EHC München, GER-1), Gregg Johnson (F - TBD), Jeff Heerema (F - TBD), Chris Armstrong (D - TBD), Bryan Muir (D- TBD). Mathieu Biron (D - Hamburg Freezers), Pat Kavanagh (F - ERC Ingolstadt), Christian Billich (Wölfe Freiburg, GER-1), Max Prommersberger (D - Schwenninger, GER-1), Chris Taylor (F- Rochester, AHL), Tobias Kunz, Wölfe Freiburg, GER-1).

Pre-season
09 Aug 2009, Frankfurt Lions - Krefeld Pinguine
11 Aug 2009, Straubing Tigers - Frankfurt Lions
14 Aug 2009, Kassel Huskies - Frankfurt Lions
16 Aug 2009, Heilbronner Falken (GER-1) - Frankfurt Lions
21 Aug 2009, Augsburger Panther - Frankfurt Lions
23 Aug 2009, Frankfurt Lions - Kölner Haie
28 Aug 2009, Frankfurt Lions - DEG Metro Stars
30 Aug 2009, Iserlohn Roosters - Frankfurt Lions

Established: 1975
Titles: 0
Budget:
Home arena: TUI-Arena (cap. 10.767)
Head coach: Hans Zach
Homepage: www.hannoverscorpions.de
2. Bundesliga affiliate: Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 31. Levente Szuper (New! - Alba Volan, EBEL)
• 35. Youri Ziffzer (New! - Eisbären Berlin)

Defense
• 06. Aris Brismanis
• 07. Sacha Goc
• 36. Peter Baumgartner (New! - Schwenningen, GER-1)
• 43. Rainer Köttstorfer
• 55. Patrick Köppchen
• 77. Nikolai Goc

Forwards
• 09. Thomas Dolak
• 11. Eric Schneider
• 12. Chris Herperger
• 14. Martin Hlinka
• 15. Garrett Festerling
• 17. Nikki Mondt
• 22. Ben Cottreau (New! - Ev Landshut, GER-1)
• 29. Tore Vikingstad
• 34. Matt Dzieduszycki
• 37. Tino Boos
• 47. Adam Mitchell
• 49. Klaus Kathan

Subtractions:
Alexander Jung (G - retired), Eric Schneider (D - Frankfurt Lions), Oscar Ackeström (Alba Volan, EBEL), Dmitri Pätzold (G - ERC Ingolstadt), Thomas Holzmann (F - Kassel Huskies); Danny Pyka (D - Dresner Eislöwen, GER-1), Dan Lamberg (D - retired), Marian Dejdar (F - Hamburg Freezers)


Pre-season
18.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Kassel Huskies
21.08.09, Fischtown Bremerhaven (GER-1) - Hannover Scorpions
23.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Hamburg Freezers
26.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Geneve-Servette (SUI)
28.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - MODO (SWE)
29.09.09, Hannover Scorpions - TBD
30.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Hannover Indians (GER-2)

ERC INGOLSTADT

Established: 1964
Titles: 1
1x DEB-Pokal (2005)
Budget:
Home arena: Saturn-Arena (cap. 4.800)
Head coach:
Homepage: www.erci.de

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 32. Dmitri Pätzold
• 93. Dustin Haloschan (New! - Jungadler Mannheim)

Defense
• 03. Pierre Hedin (New! - MODO, SWE)
• 04. Bruno St. Jacques
• 22. Michael Bakos
• 24. Prestin Ryan (New! - Adler Mannheim)
• 38. Jakub Ficenec
• 55. Stephan Daschner
• 00. Mike Card (New! - Portland Pirates, AHL)

Forwards
• 08. Dominic Walsh (New! - Eisbären Berlin Jr, GER-2)
• 09. Bob Wren (New! - Iserlohn Roosters)
• 12. Tyler Bouck (New! - Portland Pirates, AHL)
• 15. Pat Kavanagh (New! - Frankfurt Lions)
• 16. Michael Waginger
• 18. Doug Ast
• 21. Patrick Buzas (New! - Augsburger Panther)
• 26. Vince Belissimo (New! - HC Innsbruck, EBEL)
• 27. Matt Hussey (New! - Straubing Tigers)
• 36. Norman Martens (New! - Eisbären Berlin)
• 37. Rick Girard (New! - Adler Mannheim)
• 39. Thomas Greilinger
• 89. Michael Rimbeck (New! - Herner 2007 E.v., GER-2)
• 96. Glen Goodall

Subtractions:
Duncan Milroy (F - Minnesota Wild/Houston Aeros), Tobias Draxinger (D - Straubing Tigers), Rene Röthke (F- Straubing Tigers), Jason Holland (D - DEG Metro Stars), Sasa Martinovic (D - EHC Wolfsburg), Matt Higgins (F - ), Jimmy Waite (G), Martin Hinterstocker (F), Yves Sarault (F), Eric Nickulas (F), Matt Keith (F), Sebastian Vogl (G - Heilbronner Falken, GER-1), Yannic Seidenberg (F- Adler Mannheim), Hean Francois Boucher (D).

Pre-season
08.08.09, ERC Ingolstadt - Nürnberg Ice Tigers
09.08.09, Augsburger Panther - ERC Ingolstadt
14.08.09, Straubing Tigers - ERC Ingolstadt
16.08.09, ERC Ingolstadt - TBD
19.08.09, Karlovy Vary (CZE) - ERC Ingolstadt
20.08.09, HC Kladno (CZE) - ERC Ingolstadt
21.08.09, HC Litvinov - ERC Ingolstadt
28.08.09, Nürnberg Ice Tigers - ERC Ingolstadt
30.08.09, ERC Ingolstadt - Kassel Huskies

ISERLOHN ROOSTERS

Established: 1994
Titles: 0
Budget:
Home arena: Eissporthalle am Sailersee (cap. 4.999)
Head coach: Ulrich Liebsch
Homepage: http://www.iserlohn-roosters.de/

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 20. Sebastian Stefaniszin
• 33. Danny aus den Birken (New! - Adler Mannheim)

Defense
• 03. Marty Wildford
• 06. Andy Schneider
• 07. Jon Insana (New! - Chicago Wolves, AHL )
• 10. Collin Danielsmeier
• 12. Mark Ardelan
• 56. Stefan Langwieder

Forwards
• 09. Kris Sparre (New! - Idaho Steelheads, ECHL )
• 11. Ryan Ready
• 13. Michael Wolf
• 17. Sebastian Jones
• 19. Daniel Sparre (New! - Pontebba, ITA)
• 21. Jimmy Roy
• 22. Mads Christensen (New! - SønderjyskE, DEN)
• 24. Quinn Hancock (New! - Jokerit, FIN)
• 61. Christian Hommel
• 89. Steven Rupprich
• 91. Robert Hock

Subtractions:
Norm Maracle (G - Olimpija Ljubljana, EBEL), Henry Martens (F - Nürnberg Icetigers), Paul Traynor (D - EHC Wolfsburg), Bob Wren (F - Ingolstadt), Brad Tapper (F - retired), Tyler Beechey (F - Augsburger Panther), Ben Simon (F), Greg Classen (F), David Sulkovsky (F), Chris Schmidt (D- Adler Mannheim), Christian Gose (F- Dortmund, Ger-2), Alexander Dück (D)

Pre-season
07.08.09, Herner Ev (GER-2) - Iserlohn Roosters
14.08.09, Iserlohn Roosters - DEG Metro Stars
16.08.09, Kassel Huskies - Iserlohn Roosters
21.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Iserlohn Roosters
28.08.09, Iserlohn Roosters - Kölner Haie
30.08.09, Iserlohn Roosters - Frankfurt Lions

KASSEL HUSKIES
Established: 1987
Championships: 0
Budget:
Home arena: Eissporthalle am Auestadion (cap. 6.100)
Head coach: Stephane Richer
Homepage: www.huskies-online.de

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 30. Steve Themm
• 31. Adam Hauser

Defense
• 24. Dominic Auger
• 25. Rene Kramer (New! - Eisbären Berlin)
• 00.David Danner (New! -EHC Wolfsburg)
• 00. Alexander Heinrich
• 00. Bryan Schmidt
• 00. Trevor Johnson (New! -HC Asiago, ITA)
• 00. Sebastian Bisaillon (New! -Springfield Falcons)

Forwards
• 12. Hugo Boisvert
• 00. Fabio Carciola (New! - DEG Metro Stars)
• 00. Michael Christ
• 00. Derek Damon (New! - Ässät, FIN)
• 00. Thomas Holzmann
• 09. Manuel Klinge
• 16. Alex Leavitt
• 17. Ryan Kraft
• 26. Philipp Schlager
• 39. Sean Tallaire
• 87. Alexander Heinrich
• 00. Pierre-Luc Sleigher (New! - HC Olten, SUI-1)
• 00. Josh Soares (New! - Chicago Wolves, AHL)

Subtractions:
Ryan Gaucher (D - Schwenninger, GER-1), Brad Burym (D - Herne, GER-2), Thorben Saggau (Hannover Indians, GER-1), Nolan McDonald, (G - Hannover Indians, GER-1), Phillip Gunkel (F- Crimmitschau, GER-1), Martin Bartek (F - Kölner Haie), Dustin Wood (D), Robert Francz (F), Drew Bannister (D), Jacek Plachta (F), Sebastian Staudt (G- Schwenninger, GER-1), Brad Burym (D- Herne, GER-2),

Pre-season
12.08.09, Hannover Indians (GER-2) - Kassel Huskies
14.08.09, Kassel Huskies - Frankfurt Lions
16.08.09, Kassel Huskies - Iserlohn Roosters
18.08.09, Hannover Scorpions - Kassel Huskies
22.08.09, Kassel Huskies - DEG Metro Stars
28.08.09, Kassel Huskies - Wolfsburg
30.08.09, ERC Ingolstadt - Kassel Huskies

KÖLNER HAIE
Established: 1972
Titles: 10
8x German Championship (1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1995, 2002)
1x DEB-Pokal (2004)
1x Spengler Cup (1999)
Budget:
Home arena: Lanxess Arena (cap. 18.500)
Head coach: Igor Pavlov
Homepage: www.haie.de

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 74. Sebastian Kinader
• 41. Lars Weibel (New! - Ev Zug, SUI)
• 32. Stefan Vajs (New! - EC Peiting, GER-2)

Defense
• 12. Mirko Lüdemann
• 22. Stephane Julien
• 23. Mats Trygg
• 26. Sören Sturm
• 35. Andreas Renz
• 76. Dustin Schumacher
• 77. Dennis Steinhauer
• 81. Torsten Ankert
• 91. Moritz Müller

Forwards
• 09. Marcel Müller
• 14. Daniel Rüdslätt
• 13. Gerrit Fauser (New! - Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL)
• 16. Jason Jaspers (New! - Adler Mannheim)
• 17. Christoph Ullmann
• 18. Martin Bartek (New! - Kassel Huskies)
• 19. Bryan Adams
• 21. Christoph Melischko
• 24. Thomas Brandl (New! - EV Landshut, GER-1)
• 27. Ivan Ciernik
• 38. Dusan Frosch (New! -Straubing Tigers)
• 72. Norman Hauner
• 78. Christoph Ziolkowski
• 79. Marcel Ohmann
• 84. Kevin Hecquefeuille (New! - Nybro, SWE-1)
• 90. Jerome Flaake


Subtractions:
Dave McLlwain (F - TBD), Phillip Gogulla (F - TBD), Mats Schöbel (F - TBD), Stefan Horneber (G - REV Bremerhaven, GER-1), Todd Warriner (F - TBD), Aleksei Dmitriev (F - Dresdner Eislöwen, GER-1), Frank Doyle (G - TBD), Julian Eichinger (EC Peiting, GER-2), Christoph Oster (G), Sandro Agricola (G), Julian Eichinger (D- EC Peiting, GER-2), Tom Patric Kimmel (F), Mats Schnöbel (Fuchse Duisburg, RL- West, GER-3).

Pre-season
30 July 2009, Ev Herner (GER-2) - Kölner Haie 0-7
01 Aug 2009, Kölner Haie - Avangard Omsk (KHL) (at Füssen) 1-6
03 Aug 2009, Kölner Haie - Avangard Omsk (KHL) (at Füssen)
06 Aug 2009, Kölner Haie - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) (at Leukerbad, SUI)
08 Aug 2009, Kölner Haie - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (at Leukerbad, SUI)
15 Aug 2009, Linz (AUT) - Kölner Haie (Dolomiten Cup)
16 Aug 2009, TBD - Kölner Haie (Dolomiten Cup)
18 Aug 2009, EC Graz (AUT) - Kölner Haie
19 Aug 2009, Salzburg Red Bulls (AUT) - Kölner Haie
20 Aug 2009, Ceske Budejovice (CZE) - Kölner Haie
23 Aug 2009, Frankfurt Lions - Kölner Haie
28 Aug 2009, Iserlohn Roosters - Kölner Haie
30 Aug 2009, Nürnberg Ice Tigers - Kölner Haie

KREFELD PINGUINE
Established: 1936
Titles: 2
2x German Championship (1952, 2003)
Budget:
Home arena: König Palast (cap. 8.009)
Head coach:
Homepage: www.krefeld-pinguine.de
Oberliga Affiliate: Landshut Cannibals

ROSTER 2009-10
Goaltenders
• 37. Scott Langkow
• 93. Danijel Kovacic

Defense
• 03. Jim Fahey
• 05. Sebastian Schwarz
• 11. Dusan Milo
• 21. Benedikt Schopper
• 22. Allan Rourke
• 42. Joel Keussen
• 50. Richard Pavlikovsky
• 64. Sinan Akdag
• 79. Jan Pietsch (New! - Rookie/Jungadler Mannheim)

Forwards