Tim Stutzl: Named defender of the Canadian capital is a German sport

There is a significant difference between the home ice of the Ottawa Senators and the other six Canadian clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL). Unlike the locations of the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, the Canadian Tire Center is not in the city center, but in Kanata, a suburb about 15 miles west of the capital.

And there is something else in Ottawa as well. The Senators are not looking for very talented offspring from a traditional hockey country like Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland or the United States to build their teams. Instead, it is a 19-year-old man from West Germany who they are expecting. Although Ottavan still struggles with the nickname Tim Stutzle, the young German, who is a symbol of hope, ability and positivity, is already a fan favorite.

“The enthusiasm around me is very good. But it’s a lot of fun – and I really enjoy every second of it.

Game against the greybirds

The youngest of nearly 750 players in the NHL, Stutzley has to compete with players who were in the league before he was born. An example of this is 41-year-old Joe Thornton of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a rival to the Senators. Thornton played his first NHL game on October 8, 1997 – three years, three months and seven days before Stutzl’s birth.

Despite his youth and inexperience, the German teenager has found a very special job. The Senators of Ottawa assigned the task of leading the club in the wilderness over the years to a better and prosperous future. Its job is to make the Senators an all-time playoff candidate and Stanley Cup contender. And if you thought that it is very difficult to keep your thin shoulders, then you would be wrong.

“That’s why I’m so high up,” Stuttel said confidently.

Renewal share

Ottawa took Stutzl to third place in the draft last fall – and the fact that they managed to hit how bad the Senators were last season. The design system is designed to help some teams improve over time by offering them the opportunity to engage the most talented young players in junior, college or European ice hockey. Now the Senators are in full recovery mode, with a roster making up most of the players in their early twenties – and Stutzley will be the face of the club.

Tim’s skills are incredible. Anything is possible for him, ”Senator coach DJ Smith said recently.

Edmonton Oils superstar Leon Dreiseit spoke to DW earlier this season and described his compatriot as a “very, very talented young man” who has all the equipment and “will successfully find his way”.

Sports broadcaster “TSN” has described Stutzel as the most anticipated rookie to arrive in the Canadian capital since the Senators made Jason Spezzza a second choice in the 2001 draft.

First Goal for Highlighted Roles

This does not mean that the No. 18 Senators are already the cornerstone of the franchise, but he is already a player who is comfortable with Coach Smith when he is playing the power play or as an additional striker when he is the goalkeeper in the fight Lets drag it. A game.

“I have tried to establish myself as soon as possible and am slowly starting to take a leadership role while staying on the ice in critical situations,” Stutzley said.

In thirty-two games in his rookie season, Stutzley has scored six goals and 13 assists, and his first goal against Toronto on January 16 was a beauty.

Difficult start to the season

The start of the campaign was “very difficult”, as did Stutzley. The 5–3 win over Toronto resulted in nine consecutive defeats. After 15 games, the Sense record was 2 and 13. But it looks a bit off. Thirty-five games into the season, Ottawa’s record now stands at 12 and 20 with three wins in OT.

“We are in the game most of the evening, we have taken a big step forward as a team,” Stuttle said. When asked what was the highlight of his cheating season in the NHL, Stutzl hesitated before settling on 15 January. Not only did he turn 19 on Friday night, but he also made his league debut atop the Leafs 5–3.

Prior to the draft last October, Stutzl was largely unknown in North America, partly because he did not come here through the junior or college system. Instead, Stützel played at home last season with the Mannheim Eagles, one of the best teams in Germany’s top league, DEL. He believes that playing with experienced professionals, including former NHL players last year, has given him a significant advantage.

“I was able to learn an incredible amount there, so maybe I played against a junior somewhere else for a year,” Stutzley said.

One step ahead with world juniors

He played for the first time in North America last December when he was the captain of Germany for the World Juniors in Edmonton. The Senators’ management and fans will be pleased with what they saw: With five goals and five assists, Stuzel was named the tournament’s outstanding striker when he led Germany to the quarter-finals for the first time in the history of World Seniors Was. When he arrived in Ottawa, the publicity was “very, very big”, Stutzley said.

‘I am considered very respected. I’m just trying to do that and maybe to impress people. ‘

So far he has been successful. The senator appointed savior has actually made it to the NHL. It met the initial expectations, indicated its potential and brought great joy to Ottawa fans starving by the success. It’s a good start, but that’s all; Beginning.

Adaptation: Chuck Penfold