Munich, Germany - prohockey.de caught up with Munich Barons winger Derek King after the Krefeld game. The 34-year-old former Islander and Maple Leaf, who has by far the most NHL experience of all the players in the German league, talks about Krefeld’s strengths, his hockey life in Germany, a contract extension and the resurrection of the New York Islanders.

prohockey.de: Derek, you scored a beautiful goal today, but the Barons came up short against Krefeld once again. You’ve played these guys three times. What do you think about this team? And what made the difference today?

Derek King: Well, they just don’t quit. They stick to the game play. Whether they’re down a goal or up a goal, they play it the same way. They also got some talented players. They had some opportunities, beared down on ‘em and scored. We had a few opportunities ourselves, but we couldn’t put it by ‘em.

prohockey.de: You’ve been here (in Munich) for a couple of months now. What do you think of the German league in general and your team, the Barons?

Derek King: Oh, hockey-wise, it’s good hockey. And I’m more impressed with it than I thought I’d be. There’s a lot of talented players here and it’s a faster-paced game. It’s nice. The fans are great, almost like soccer fans. The management here and the team itself have been great to me. And the city’s excellent. So I’ve been enjoying it as well as my wife and kid. Overall, it’s been good.

prohockey.de: What are the changes of seeing you around here next year, too?

Derek King: It depends on them. Well, I’d like to see how this year goes and the playoffs. But if my body holds up and somebody wants me, then I’ll be back!

prohockey.de: Any plans of returning to the NHL? Or is that chapter behind you?

Derek King: No – that chapter’s long gone now. I mean, you never know. Anything can happen. But I’m not preparing myself for it. I’m here to play in this league for as long as I think I can without embarrassing myself. And after that, I’ll retire, go back to New York and live happily ever after I hope.

prohockey.de: Speaking of New York. As a long-time Islander, what to you think of the team’s resurgence?

Derek King: I think it’s great. I enjoyed myself there. I mean I still live there in the summer. It’s good for the fans and for Long Island. It’s good to see that the players get a little more respect now and that they’re turning it around. It’d be a shame to lose the team there with the franchise they have. So I think it’s wonderful.