Fössinger stays in Deggendorf: return after cruciate ligament injury!

Fössinger stays in Deggendorf: return after cruciate ligament injury!

Deggendorfer SC can announce another important step for the coming season: goalkeeper Raphael Fössinger remains loyal to the club and is extending his contract Ice Hockey News reported. However, the 26-year-old, who played nine games last season and achieved an impressive 92.0 percent catch rate, was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a torn cruciate ligament. 

Fössinger, who returned to the DSC last year, is now undergoing rehab in order to return to training and games stronger than before. His comeback will still take some time, but Deggendorfer SC is behind him and wants to ensure that he is fully recovered before he gets back on the ice. Ibrahim Weissleder, the sporting director, emphasizes the importance of a strong backup for the starting goalkeeper Timo Pielmeier.

Tangible support

In order to bridge the time until Fössinger's return, the DSC is actively looking for an interim solution. “We are in contact with our funding license partners,” says Weissleder. Those responsible are optimistic that they can find a suitable replacement. In addition, Fössinger will wear jersey number 29 next season, a number previously used by Niklas Deske and Benedikt Schopper. New coach Fratkin is very positive about Fössinger's performance before his injury and hopes for a quick return.

Another breath of fresh air is blowing with Noah Münzenberger, a 19-year-old talent from Cologne. He receives a sponsorship license for the Füchse Duisburg in the Oberliga Nord. The official DSC site highlights that Münzenberger was able to play a game for the Füchse in the previous season, where he scored an assist. He previously shone in the Kölner Junghaie DNL team with 44 points in 38 games and is rated as an all-rounder by Füchse coach Frank Petrozza. Münzenberger not only brings depth to the defense, but should also put additional pressure on other defenders.

Risk of injury in ice hockey

The issue of injuries is ever-present in hockey, especially for defensemen who are most likely to get injured. How the Atos clinics reported, injury rates are significant - 72.1% of defenders suffer a health problem in a season. Even though goalkeepers are statistically the least affected, Fössinger's torn cruciate ligament remains a striking example of how quickly things can happen.

50% of injuries occur while the player is in possession of the puck. This shows once again how risky the sport is, even with the heavily padded goalkeepers. Those responsible in ice hockey constantly have to find a balancing act between sporting risk and the health of the players, which is why Fössinger's return after his injury is planned particularly carefully.

Overall, the coming season looks exciting for Deggendorfer SC. With Fössinger and Münzenberger they have talented players in their ranks who can take the team forward if everything goes according to plan.