Report: German Ice Hockey Federation Parts Ways with Coach Kreis After Weak World Championship

German ice hockey head coach Harold Kreis is expected to leave his position following the national team's lackluster performance at the recent World Championship, according to a report by "Bild". The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) has not yet officially confirmed the separation, but sources suggest it is an amicable agreement.

Kreis, a 67-year-old German-Canadian, had a contract with the DEB that was scheduled to extend through the 2027 World Championship, which Germany is set to host. However, the team's failure to advance to the quarterfinals at the recent World Championship, mirroring their performance in 2025, has cast a shadow over his tenure. This disappointment follows a similar underperformance at the Milan Winter Olympics, despite having what was considered Germany's strongest-ever national team, including NHL stars like Leon Draisaitl.

Criticism of Kreis's coaching and the team's organization emerged during the World Championship, with players voicing their dissatisfaction. DEB Sports Director Christian Künast acknowledged the need for self-criticism following the tournament. Specific criticisms included player selection, ice time allocation for stars at the Olympics, and tactical decisions during games. Notably, Kreis was noted for not calling timely timeouts during crucial moments in decisive games and for not utilizing the option to challenge controversial referee decisions against Germany during both the Olympics and the World Championship.

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The team, vice-world champion in 2023, failed to reach the quarterfinals in both the 2025 and 2026 World Championships, and also underperformed at the Milan Olympics.