André Rankel appointed as German national ice hockey head coach

André Rankel has been appointed as the new head coach of the German national ice hockey team. The 40-year-old, a former national player and long-time captain of Eisbären Berlin, succeeds Harold Kreis, who was dismissed following a series of disappointing tournament results, including a preliminary round exit at the recent World Championship.

Rankel, who has served as an assistant coach for Eisbären Berlin since 2023, will receive a four-year contract. This appointment marks his first role as a head coach at the senior level. The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) officially introduced him during a press conference in Munich.

Rankel is tasked with preparing the national team for the 2027 Home World Championship, which will be hosted in Gelsenkirchen, Mannheim, and Düsseldorf. His first assignment will be leading the team at the Deutschland Cup in Düsseldorf this November.