Björn Krupp

Björn Krupp (born March 6, 1991) is an American-born German professional ice hockey defenseman playing for Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He is the son of former NHL defenseman Uwe Krupp.[1]

Björn Krupp
Born (1991-03-06) March 6, 1991 (age 33)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
PositionDefense
ShootsLeft
DEL team
Former teams
Grizzlys Wolfsburg
Kölner Haie
Adler Mannheim
National team Germany
NHL draftUndrafted
Playing career2011–present

Playing career

Early life

Krupp was born in Buffalo, New York when his father was a member of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. Krupp spent time living in both the United States and Canada as a result of his father's career, but moved back to Germany with his mother after his parents' divorce in 1996. In 2002, he returned to North America, where his father was in his last NHL season with the Atlanta Thrashers at the time, and started playing ice hockey there at the age of eleven.[2]

His early career included spells playing midget with TPH Thunder (2006–2007) and major junior hockey with Ontario Hockey League team, the Belleville Bulls (2008–2011).

Professional

Undrafted, in September 2011, he returned to Germany and signed for Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), where he was coached by his father.[3][4]

In December 2014, Krupp went on loan to fellow Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg,[5] before signing a two-year-deal at the club in April 2015.[6]

In the midst of the 2018–19 season on November 17, 2018, Krupp agreed to a three-year contract with his third DEL club, Adler Mannheim, following the conclusion of his contract with Wolfsburg at seasons end.[7]

On 13 May 2021, Krupp returned to former club Grizzlys Wolfsburg, signing as a free agent to a three-year contract through 2024.[8]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Germany
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
2018 Pyeongchang

Krupp is a dual citizen of both Germany and the United States.

In 2007–08, Krupp was a member of the National Team Development Program representing the United States at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.[9]

On December 17, 2013, he made his senior international debut for Germany's men's national team in an exhibition game against Latvia.[10]

Krupp later competed in the 2015 IIHF World Championship with Germany and saw action in seven games during the tournament.[11] He also represented Germany at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[12]

Career statistics

Krupp with Grizzlys Wolfsburg in 2022

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2006–07TPH Thunder 16U AAA16U AAA40671357
2007–08U.S. NTDP U17USDP201232
2007–08U.S. NTDP U18NAHL430334031010
2008–09Belleville BullsOHL5713422170009
2009–10Belleville BullsOHL670111153
2010–11Belleville BullsOHL61110115440002
2011–12Kölner HaieDEL480887040002
2012–13Kölner HaieDEL4018922120228
2012–13Füchse Duisburg3.GBun81452
2013–14Kölner HaieDEL52448481702216
2014–15Kölner HaieDEL2500024
2014–15Grizzly Adams WolfsburgDEL26145221100020
2015–16Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL5103311260000
2016–17Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL51088114181126
2017–18Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL522684270224
2018–19Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL4906612
2019–20Adler MannheimDEL3612353
2020–21Adler MannheimDEL332241460002
2021–22Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL471782981014
2022–23Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL54571242141238
2023–24Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL512463240002
DEL totals615196988636107391272

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2008United StatesU17 60004
2015GermanyWC10th70002
2018GermanyOG 70000
2018GermanyWC11th71010
Junior totals60004
Senior totals211012

References