Moritz Müller on the Kölner Haie's return to the big ice hockey final!

Moritz Müller on the Kölner Haie's return to the big ice hockey final!

In an exciting ice hockey season, the Cologne Sharks are faced with a historic opportunity: after an 11-year absence, they are back in the final of the German championship. Captain Moritz Müller, a fixture in the team, plays a central role. The 38-year-old has now continued his career in the DEL for the 23rd season and, despite a shoulder injury, celebrated his return in the semi-final against ERC Ingolstadt and immediately scored a decisive goal. This injury was no picnic, set him back during the play-offs and caused not only pain but also sleep and digestive problems, as [Donaukurier] reports.

Although Müller was unable to take part during the national team's World Cup matches, which he watched on television, his commitment to the team remains strong. He noticed how the players were mentally stressed and put pressure on themselves during the tournament. He sees great potential for the 2026 Olympics and wants to play with NHL stars like Leon Draisaitl to counteract the disappointment of 2022.

A feeling of return

For Müller, the victory over ERC Ingolstadt in the semi-finals was not only an important step towards the final, but also a kind of liberation from an old burden - even if he emphasizes that it was not intended as revenge for the lost final in 2014. The passion for the sport and the development of the Kölner Haie motivate him to stay active, even if he has no interest in breaking the record for the most DEL games. “I just have fun with it,” says Müller.

With the Kölner Haie squad finally back on the road to success after a long sporting drought, managing director Philipp Walter also has high expectations. “We are grateful for the support of our fans,” he emphasizes. The Haie have played their way back into focus with impressive wins against Bremerhaven and Ingolstadt, both in the sixth game.

The final battle against the polar bears

Now the Cologne Sharks face the Berlin Polar Bears, who are considered overwhelmingly powerful. But Müller's team has a clear plan: "We are unpleasant opponents and have a good match plan," as Justin Schütz, one of the players, puts it. The Kölner Haie's last championship was 23 years ago, but the wind has changed and hope for the title is blossoming.

Considering the past challenges and current ambitions, one thing is clear: the Kölner Haie are ready to give everything to finally make their dream of winning the championship come true. Whether they can defeat the polar bears will be seen over the course of the final series. The tension is at its peak and the team is determined to continue the journey.