Munich, Germany - One week after bringing in NHL veteran Alexander Selivanov, defending DEL champion Krefeld Pinguine added another top star to its roster Thursday. 29-year-old German forward Stefan Ustorf, who was suspended by the Mannheim Adler in late October, signed until the end of the season.

“I’m looking forward to being back on the ice”, said Ustorf, who had been pondering his options diligently. The 6’00”, 185lbs center had reportedly been courted by several DEL clubs, among them the Berlin Eisbären, Hamburg Freezers, DEG Metro Stars, Kölner Haie and ERC Ingolstadt. None of these clubs was eventually willing to exceed their annual budgets though. But they are now expected to try to lure Ustorf for the 2004-05 season.

Used as scapegoats for an early-season slump, Ustorf and teammate Yves Racine were released by Mannheim four weeks ago. Defenseman Racine signed with Ingolstadt last week.

Ustorf, who will wear number 19, is expected to make his debut in Krefeld’s road game against the Kölner Haie Friday night.

The Kaufbeuren-native spent a couple of years in the Washington Capitals organisation in the late 90’s. He appeared in 54 NHL regular season games with the Caps, tallying 7 goals and 10 assists.

Ustorf made his DEL debut with the Berlin Capitals in 1997-98, scoring 40 points (17G, 23A) in 45 games. After three years in the IHL (International Hockey League), Ustorf signed with the Mannheim Adler in 2001. He recorded 32 goals and 57 assists in 219 games for Mannheim.

Prior to his release, he had been Mannheim’s third-best scorer this season with 1 goal and 9 assists in 15 games.