Moritz Stauffer Biography

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The Life and Times of Moritz Stauffer

 

EARY LIFE:  Born near the Bavarian Alps in Germany, Stauffer was no stranger to snow and winter weather but he was not exactly super familiar with hockey either as it is not a popular sport in Germany like it is in other hockey powerhouse countries. Moritz had a normal birth; his mother (Lena) and his father (Bjorn) were an average married German couple who were well above the poverty line. His father played Basketball in a semi-pro league back in Berlin and his mother was a Physiotherapist—they met while attending University and married after. Moritz immediately showed signs of high intelligence before he even started school, he was enrolled in private school and was highly thought to be on track to be on the career path of playing Basketball. He was tall for his age and had the genetics; why wouldn't he? Maybe it was a desire to be different than his father but Moritz when he was 8 or 9 quickly discovered he had a bigger affinity for ice hockey which was regionally popular in the winter months and he enjoyed getting out on the ice with his friends when he wasn't focused on academics. 

 

Minor Hockey Career:  It certainly took a bit of convincing but Moritz would win over his father and join a local minor youth hockey program in Germany. Skating was probably the thing that he found the hardest at first, he was a tall and clumsy kid who did not need skates to look out of place. His first couple seasons he appeared to be an average at best player and certainly was not on any scouts radar; but he had an affinity for learning and a strong work ethic. His development was obvious and by the time he was gearing up for high school; scouts were taking notice—including scouts from overseas in America and Canada. Stauffer would have a tough decision to make as elite US High School scouts wanted him to make the move with the promise that they would develop him into a pro level player. With a weak grasp on the English language and being a young kid still who would be asked to leave his family and friends for a foreign country, Stauffer was not ready for such a decision or commitment. He saw the vision of getting to the VHL but he would do it his way and stay and train in Germany until he was ready to enter the VHLM and show off his talent. At just 14 years old; his game was very unpolished and he needed a better program and coaches though to get there.

 

MINOR LEAGUE STATISTICS:
87 Games Played | 9 Goals | 35 Assists | 128 Shots Blocked | +29

 

German Development League: With Stauffer's decision to stay put in Germany, his sights were on the development league in Germany which is the premiere place for young prospects to play for further recognition. Most of the time this would be a stepping stone to play semi-pro in Germany but in some circumstances it was also the way to go to make it to the pros without leaving Germany. There wasn't a lot of attention though for Moritz among teams and his decision would ultimately come down to two teams who had serious interest. His minor league statistics didn't stand out on paper and only a few scouts could see the potential he possessed by eye test. His options came down to Dortmund and Dresden which were cities that were not immediately close to home; but at least the language and culture was familiar and home was an easy train ride home. Attending a new school while away from family and friends took it's toll on Moritz who ultimately decided to go to Dortmund; but towards the end of the season he started to find comfort in his new atmosphere and became an anchor on the team's blueline. The playoffs hit and the team was able to upset one of the top teams in the first round before falling victim to the eventual champs. Statistically it wasn't a superior season for Moritz but his growth once again was obvious as he was able to strongly improve on his skating and other areas of weakness through the team's excellent developmental coaches. In his second season the scouts took notice as Moritz quickly became well known throughout the whole league as he was stuffing the stat sheets and giving opposing forwards problems on the defensive end. The VHLM dream was quickly approaching and with the season ending in Germany; Stauffer once again found himself with a life changing decision, he could leave now and attend a tryout session for any of the VHLM teams and enter the dispersal draft in the summer...or stay home and polish his game against inferior opposition. 

 

DORTMUND HC STATISTICS:
112 Games Played | 26 Goals | 64 Assists | 266 Shots Blocked | +98

 

VHLM Career:  We arrive at the present where Moritz would spend a short amount of time with the Mexico City Kings where he struggled to adapt to the North American game but managed to help contribute to the team's playoff run as he got the second round. Fast forward one season and he's just wrapped up a disappointing round one exit with the Halifax 21st but statistically has started to shine as one of the main contributors on the team. His sights are set on the VHL and the next step urges him to play in the Europe League to further develop his game after being drafted in the upcoming draft.