First Japanese in Lindau: Kazuki Lawlor strengthens the Islanders!

First Japanese in Lindau: Kazuki Lawlor strengthens the Islanders!

On May 31, 2025, there will be numerous changes in German ice hockey. The focus is particularly on Kazuki Lawlor, who is the first Japanese in the almost 50-year history of Lindau ice hockey to move from the Polska Hokej Liga to the Lindau Islanders. Lawlor will fill the third contingent position there alongside Eetu Elo and Žan Jezovšek. He wears the number 73 and is promising with his previous performances as a defender. Last season he scored seven goals and six assists in 31 games for KH Torun, while remaining pointless in the playoffs. The 26-year-old was born in Osaka and began his hockey career in Calgary, Canada, where he initially played center before switching to defense. The Islanders are enthusiastic about Lawlor's international experience and his skills on the ice, as athletic director Milo Markovic emphasizes. Lawlor also expressed his excitement about playing in Lindau and getting to know the city. [Ice Hockey News] reports that he will make a valuable contribution in his second stop outside Japan as the current senior player for the Japanese national ice hockey team.

Another notable change happens with Viktor Buchner, who is moving from the Bietigheim Steelers to Deggendorfer SC. The 22-year-old striker gained a lot of experience last season, including playing for the Stuttgart Rebels in the Oberliga Süd, where he scored six goals and three assists in 39 games. He also brings experience from the DEL, in which he was active for Schwenningen. Buchner's versatility will offer Deggendorfer SC new options in attack.

Coach changes and departures

Niko Eronen takes over the role of head coach of the Heilbronner Falken. The 36-year-old Finn has had an impressive coaching career, which began in his native Finland in 2011 and included stints in Denmark and Norway. Most recently he was the coach of the Slovenian club HDD Jesenice, with whom he became runner-up. Heilbronn's sporting director, Martin Jiranek, speaks of a promising perspective that Eronen brings with his range of experience.

Meanwhile, the Selber Wolves reported two departures. Ryan Smith, who contributed 17 goals and 20 assists in 36 games, will not move to the major leagues, but where his new club will go is still unclear. Jeroen Plauschin, who provided eight assists in 53 games last season, has not yet found a new club either. The squad changes offer great potential for both players to reshape their careers as Wolves look to recruit new talent for the coming season.

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Germany, right behind handball and football. The German Ice Hockey Association had around 25,860 members in 2024 and recorded over 3 million viewers at DEL games in the 2022/23 season. Today's ice hockey scene in Germany is not only characterized by changing players, but also by a growing interest, which is reflected in the number of spectators. [Eishockey.net] adds that the sport contributes to the excitement through competitions in the DEL and at international level, and constant movements in the player and coach market not only increase the league, but also the demands of the fans.