Winter Hawks Select Defenseman from Germany in Second Round of Import Draft

PORTLAND - The Portland Winter Hawks today selected 19-year-old defenseman Stefan Langwieder from Germany with the 85th selection in the second round of the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

The Hawks had an inside connection for Langwieder, who is projected to be a solid two-way defenseman who is willing and able to play a team game.

“I played with Stefan`s current coach when I was in Peoria,“ said Winter Hawks' assistant coach Brian Pellerin.

“I have confidence that Greg Poss has a good instinct about a player and he says that Stefan is a solid two-way defenseman that has good character, is anxious to play in North America. He thinks he will help us this season and that we can help him move on to a higher level of hockey in future years. He is a good person, a good student, and a player who has impressed his coach as one who always gives his best on and off the ice. We are hoping he will be the kind of player every team needs Γ’β‚¬β€œ a solid, reliable, mature, stay-at-home defenseman that just gets the job done.“

Langwieder, 6`0, 187, is a right shot that played with the Mannheim Eagles of the German Elite League last season, posting (1-1-2) with 10 penalty minutes in 37 games. He also played with the Heilbronn Falcons of the German Junior League, posting (4-8-12) with 34 penalty minutes in 26 games. Stefan represented Germany in the World Junior Championships in Vancouver, posting no points and 2 penalty minutes in 5 games.

“He simply brings maturity to our lineup along with a very simple, effective, game,“ said Portland General Manger Ken Hodge. “In the second round of our import draft, we think we have a better chance to find a player that can help us by trying to get as much information as possible from people we know and connections we have. So, with Brian`s connection with Stefan`s coach, we think we might be bringing a player over than can solidify our defense this season and maybe we can help Stefan`s career get to the next level at the same time.“

Earlier today, the Hawks took Viktor Sjordin from Sweden in the first round of today`s draft.

“We hope we have added a couple of players that will help us be more competitive this season,“ said Hodge. “And, we are hoping to have a more solidified dressing room and players that are willing to put the team first and build together.“

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