I grew up in Western Germany, near Cologne, with my family. My mother was a washer woman, working in a laundromat. My father was a soldier. Their work allowed me the opportunity to be on the ice regularly when I was very young, 6 or 7. After he passed away, I had to get a job to help support my family. My younger sister, Hannah, began working with my mother as soon as she was able. I found a job in a factory when I was 13, helping to move barrels and clean. It was a hard job, but it helped support my family. I continued to play some hockey while at the factory.

When I turned 15, my mother pushed me to quit the factory and focus more on my hockey. She believed I had real talent to be successful, and a local coach for DEG reached out to us asking me to join their juniors program. From age 15 on, I was a professional hockey player. This brought in a little more money for my family, but I still found moments to pick up a second job. I worked for a restaurant as a… what do you call them, bus boy? Bus boy. I’ve always loved real German cooking, so being around sausage makers and my native foods always brings me joy.

After two years with Dusseldorfer EG, I decided to come to North America to push toward the SHL. I achieved that goal, and have helped my mother and sister build a better life back in Germany.