Straubing Tigers at the top: Coach Woodcroft speaks of a snapshot!

Straubing Tigers at the top: Coach Woodcroft speaks of a snapshot!

The ice hockey season has been exciting in Straubing. On November 5th, 2025, the Straubing Tigers lead the table of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). However, coach Craig Woodcroft describes this league lead as a “snapshot” and warns against hasty conclusions. “We still have a lot of work to do,” he emphasizes.

As the Passauer Neue Presse reported, the discipline and stability of the team is remarkable, which was also confirmed by national coach Harry Kreis. These characteristics not only gave the Tigers leadership in the DEL, but also strengthened their confidence in their own strength. Head coach Woodcroft, who succeeded Tom Pokel in February 2023, leads the team with a clear vision.

One success factor is manager Jason Dunham's clever transfers. In recent years, the Tigers have built a strong DEL team that has the best core of German professionals in the league. Straubing has currently not lost a game in a row, which underlines the team chemistry of the players. “We have a special chemistry in the team,” report the players, emphasizing the good cooperation.

Statistics that are convincing

The Tigers lead the table in several important statistics: They have the best tackle rate and record the fewest shots on their own goal. This strengthens their self-confidence, while at the same time there is still room for improvement in the power play and in avoiding goals through counterattacks. Defender Marcel Brandt particularly criticizes the “stupid mistakes” that often lead to unnecessary defeats.

The international break allows injured players to recover while the rest of the team can enjoy a very welcome time off from training. Only six national players remain active in training to prepare for the challenges ahead. The club's goal is to win the last game of the season.

A new wind with Woodcroft

Craig Woodcroft, the new head coach of the Straubing Tigers, brings extensive experience from various international leagues. The 55-year-old Canadian began his coaching career in the NHL as a skills and development coach before moving to the DEL as an assistant coach at Adler Mannheim. Here he has already celebrated success and won the German championship. His international experience also includes stints in the KHL and the Swiss National League, as well as stints on Team Canada's coaching staff at the Olympics.

The Straubing Tigers website emphasizes that Woodcroft sees the challenge in Straubing as very positive and appreciates the talented team. Sporting director Jason Dunham also praises his extensive knowledge of German ice hockey and looks forward to future collaboration. The Tigers welcome him warmly and are excited to see how the season develops.

The mood in the city is euphoric and the league lead is a hot topic of conversation. All ice hockey and Tigers fans can only hope that the team stays on course and is on the winner's podium again at the end of the season.