Krefeld. (PM Pinguine) The Krefeld Pinguine can announce two more positive personnel decisions.
Mike Fischer will wear the black and yellow penguin dress for another two years. The 23-year-old striker switched from the Düsseldorf EG to our side of the Rhine before this season. With nine goals and eleven assists in 37 games, the native of Heilbronn has already equaled his personal best in the DEL2.
Boris Blank, Krefeld Penguins head coach: “It’s always a good sign when you can tie a young striker for two years at such an important stage in his career. Mike Fischer has shown what he can do and that he is an important part of our team. At the same time, we still see a lot of potential in him. His next step must be to develop into a leader. We trust him with this role and therefore Mike’s contract extension is a good decision for both sides.”
Mike Fischer: “I decided to extend my contract because I feel very comfortable in Krefeld and I can tell that big things are being planned here. The city and the fans are behind the club and I love playing for clubs like that. That’s why it’s all the more fun for me to be able to play ice hockey here. I’m happy about the trust of the club and I’m looking forward to two more years in the city of silk.”
Left-hand shooter Fischer learned to play ice hockey at Heilbronner EC before the young eagles of Mannheim took notice of him. After several championship titles in the DNL, he made the leap to the DEL2 to the Löwen Frankfurt in 2018, for which he completed three seasons before, as is well known, he was drawn to the Lower Rhine.
Die Krefeld penguins found what they were looking for in the ECHL to strengthen their offensive. 26-year-old Odeen Tufto is moving from the Atlanta Gladiators to Westparkstrasse. The American receives a contract until the end of the season.
Peter Draisaitl, sporting director: “We are delighted to sign Odeen Tufto for the remainder of the season. He is a fast and agile player with excellent playmaking qualities. It is a good opportunity for him to present himself in Europe and we will carefully monitor whether a long-term cooperation beyond the season is expedient for both sides. At the moment we are just happy that we were able to successfully conclude the negotiations with Odeen and hope that he likes it with us in Krefeld.
Odeen Tufto: “I am very happy to be able to join the Krefeld Penguins. I’ve heard great things about the city and the fans. I want to help the team finish the main round strong and play as long and successfully in the playoffs as possible.”
Tufto was born on January 9, 1997 in Chaska, MN, USA. The most important stations of the 1.71 meter tall right-handed shooter include his four seasons at Quinnipiac University in the highest American college league NCAA. There he was named Player of the Year in his last season, 2020/21, and led his side as captain. This season, like last, Tufto made four appearances each with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL, but spent most of the season in the ECHL. He had 38 points (10 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games with the Orlando Solar Bears and Atlanta Gladiators. Tufto will wear number 26 in Krefeld.
