2025 World Junior Championship Preview: Can Team Germany avoid relegation?
The good news: after a four year run in Division IA, the Germans have managed to stay in the top tournament ever since 2020.
During that run, they’ve made it to the quarterfinal three times and saved themselves in the relegation game twice – including last year. Scoring is always an issue, having only reached double digits in two of the past five events. But all you need is just one good game to stay alive – either in the round robin or the relegation round – and they’ve continuously found a way to make that happen.
Don’t expect the Germans to instill much fear this time around – but that game against Latvia will be one you’re not going to want to miss:
Looking Back to 2024
Germany’s ultimate goal is always to avoid relegation in any way possible. Last year, they found themselves in the battle for last place for the second time in five events, but they managed to stay alive with a 5-4 overtime victory over Norway.
Many of the team’s top players aged out, including top scorer Veit Oswald and Utah HC prospect Julian Lutz. So they’ll rely on a handful of fresh faces to keep them from falling behind again, which, after some difficult showings at the U-18 level the past few years (they were relegated to Divison IA for 2024, which they won), could be a difficult task.
Goaltenders
After serving as Germany’s third goalie a year ago, Nico Pertuch will get the chance to secure the deal as No. 1 this year. He hasn’t played a ton against men this year, but he has generally looked solid when called upon. Assuming he does end up winning the starter’s gig, he’s going to be extremely busy as he looks to keep the Germans afloat in a very difficult Group A.
Behind him, the Germans will be bringing Leon Hümer and Linus Vieillard. Hümer has some experience with the U-20 team this year, but has never represented his country in an IIHF event. Vieillard, meanwhile, backed up Germany at the Division IA U-18s last year, but has gone on to put up solid numbers with Berlin’s U-20 team.
Regardless of who gets the call in net, it’s going to be a rough go. It’s not that the options are lacking – although there isn’t a clear standout like Nikita Quapp or Florian Bugl – but it’s unlikely they’re going to get the support they need in front of them to take the load away.
Defensemen
The Germans might not have a ton of firepower on their back end, but it’ll be good for them to have Norwin Panocha (Buffalo Sabres) back in the fray. The 6-foot-2 teen from Bayreuth is the only NHL-drafted player on the Germans this year, having been taken by the Sabres in the seventh round in 2023. He has bounced around quite a bit over the past three seasons and doesn’t have much to show for it on the numbers front since joining the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. But he’s more of a shutdown defenseman who, at a tournament like this, will eat a lot of minutes.
Two other returning players this year are Paul Mayer and Lua Niehus. Mayer was on some NHL Draft boards last year but was too inconsistent against men to the point where he went undrafted. He’s been primarily competing in the third-tier German league this year, where he’s been getting a ton of playing time. Niehus, on the other hand, has had some decent showings in the top German league, but ice time has been difficult to come by. He’s small, but speedy, and he’s not afraid to rush the puck when he needs to.
Another smaller player of note is Edwin Tropmann, who should see some top-four playing time. He has plenty of experience with the German U-20 squad over the past two years and has spent the season playing against men. If he doesn’t end up taking top-pairing duties on the right side, perhaps 2025 prospect Carlos Händel does instead. More on him below, but he’s been impressive in his first year playing in North America.
Forwards
The Germans will be in trouble offensively with Kevin Bicker missing the tournament due to injury. Bicker would have been Germany’s most important player, regardless of NHL status, so missing out on him means the Germans will lack some serious scoring punch.
So, who’ll stand up? Moncton Wildcats forward Julius Sumpf is having an excellent sophomore season in the QMJHL and should handle No. 1 center duties. The two-way center is on pace for around 40 goals and 90 points, helping to give him some love as a potential overage draft prospect. He was one of Germany’s best players a year ago and you have to imagine it’ll be the same story again this year.
Fellow 2005-born forward Timo Ruckdäschel is also intriguing. He hasn’t produced much in the DEL, but he has spent most of the past two years playing against men. He’s the only other U-20 player to have more than a single point this year, and he’s quite energetic, too.
Germany earned promotion to the top division of the U-18s for 2025 this past year, largely due to the play of Lenny Boos. He was a threat nearly every time he hit the ice, so Germany will hope he can play a middle-six scoring role in his first major U-20 tournament. In a similar vein, Paul Vinzens was one of the few bright spots during a difficult run for the U-18 team two years ago, and he’s been playing quite well on a bad Red Bull junior team in the AlpsHL.
Marco Münzenberger had a bit of a quiet stretch before leaving for training camp, but he has been a big part of Kolner U-20’s team this year. He also has 11 games in the DEL where he should he could physically handle the challenge as a 6-foot-4 winger.
Noah Samanski played a more limited WHL role with Wenatchee before he was sent down to the BCHL’s Powell River Kings. He has been one of the team’s better goal-scorers right out of the gate, and he’ll look to keep that momentum flowing in Ottawa. He hasn’t done much internationally for Germany, but we’ll see if that changes finally with a potential top-six role.
I think Timo Kose might turn some heads, too. The 2007-born forward is a defensively responsible forward with a big 6-foot-3 frame, and he’s not afraid to use it. He’s been dominating the German U-20 league, too. I don’t think anyone drafts Kose this year, but a good showing in Ottawa won’t hurt.
2025 NHL Draft Watch
Some scouts think Händel could sneak into the top 100 this year, and I can see it. He’s not flashy, but he’s a fluid skater who likes to carry the puck and can be aggressive with his stick around the net. Händel is always moving and making smart decisions in his own zone, and he has looked strong both physically and mentally this season.
After playing a big role on Germany’s U-18 team last year, watch out for David Lewandowski. He’s having a great season with the Saskatoon Blades to the point where some teams might be willing to take a chance on him in the top 100. Lewandowski is a 6-foot-2 forward who skates well and has an excellent shot, and I can see him being a part of the team’s top power-play unit.
Projection
It’s going to be an ugly start for the Germans, who have to face three teams that have combined to win the last 12 gold medals. The big task will be the game Dec. 30 against Latvia – one that’ll likely decide who advances to the quarterfinal, and who’ll fight for their lives in the relegation round. On paper, the two teams look quite equal, but it doesn’t help that the game will be about 18 hours after their fight against Canada.
Overall, Germany will be leaning on their younger players to bring speed and skill to the table. It’ll all come down to a coin flip as to who’ll advance to the quarterfinal – but even if Germany moves on, don’t expect them to go any further than that.
Round-Robin Schedule
Dec. 26 vs. USA: 2:30 PM ET
Dec. 27 vs. Finland: 3:30 PM ET
Dec. 29 vs. Canada: 7:30 PM ET
Dec. 30 vs. Latvia: 3:30 PM ET
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