Munich, Germany - When the Krefeld Pinguine were routed 8-1 by the Iserlohn Roosters in their final regular season game, most people expected the struggling team to make an early playoff exit. But Krefeld had obviously saved its finest hockey for the postseason.

Carried by Robert Müller’s mind-boggling netminding, Christoph Brandner’s and Brad Purdie’s production up front and great team spirit, the sixth-seeded Pinguine stormed to their first-ever DEL championship. But even weeks before captain Gary Shuchuk hoisted the cup, it became more and more obvious that a huge personnel cut was ahead. Purdie and Brandner were lured by the monetary temptations of other teams, others – like linemate Patrik Augusta – already knew they were no longer part of head coach Butch Goring’s future plans. 15 players left during the off-season, only eight players from the championship squad are still on the roster, among them goalie Müller, defenders Paul Dyck and Daniel Kunce and veteran forward Thomas Brandl, who returns from a major injury. The revamped line-up contains promising names, a mix of DEL veterans and league newcomers like Slowenian sniper Marcel Rodman or former NHLer Chris Herperger.

COACHING: After four-Stanley Cup wins as a player and two coaching titles in the IHL, Butch Goring won his first championship overseas. Initially hired as director of player personnel, he injected new life into a team that had talent but no spirit when he assumed head coaching duties from Chris Valentine a couple of weeks into the season. The Manitoba-native, who made his DEL debut as an interim head coach with the Frankfurt Lions in 2001-02, enters his first full season in Germany. So for the first time, the 53-year-old will work with a team he assembled. Let’s see if there will be a change in philosophy or if Goring will maintain his offensive approach to the game after the departure of Brander and Purdie. Goring will be re-united with fellow-Canadian Gary Clark, 44, who had already worked as his assistant during the stint in Frankfurt. Clark is not a newcomer to the Krefeld Pinguine organisation either: In early 1998, he served as interim head coach for a 21-game span.

GOALTENDERS: Probably the best news for Krefeld’s supporters: Youngster Robert Müller, major backbone of last year’s success, will be back between the pipes. At only 22 years of age, he enters his sixth DEL season. Turned into the starter only a couple of days after Goring’s takeover, Müller started to thrive and had a career season, posting a .912 save percentage and a 2.32 GAA in 47 games. He got even hotter during the playoffs, improving his numbers to .924 and 1.99 respectively. Veteran backup Roger Nordstrom, a long-time starter, retired after a five-year stint in Krefeld. His job will be taken by Markus Janka. The 22-year-old has three years of DEL experience as a backup in Schwenningen and Kassel, but probably won’t see much action if Müller stays injury-free. Tim Schnelle, 21, another product of Müller’s former club Star Bulls Rosenheim, is the third stringer.

DEFENSEMEN: After the departure of NHL prospect Christian Ehrhoff and veterans Darryl Shannon, Dan Lambert and Mario Doyon, the revamped Krefeld defense will be led by 36-year-old Chris Luongo, one of the best stay-at-home defenders in the league. Justin Kurtz, 26, is expected to bring his sound offensive instincts into the mix. The former Manitoba Moose is quick and likes to jump into the play, but must improve his defensive work. Kurtz can be a serious threat from the blueline with a hard and accurate point shot. Fellow-Canadian Shayne Wright returns to Krefeld after a stint with DEL rival Kassel Huskies. Along with Paul Dyck and Daniel Kunce, he brings a physical element to the team. Player to watch: The play of 23-year-old prospect Alexander Dück might profit a lot from the presence of experienced guys like Luongo and Kunce.

FORWARDS: With last year’s top-ten scorers gone, there are some big shoes to fill for Krefeld’s new offense, which is a mix of DEL veterans and a couple of promising league newcomers. Winger Rob Guillet and centermen Terry Yake, 9th in scoring in the DEL last season, and Marc Beaucage are all in their thirties and know the league very well. The trio can make plays and also knows how to bury the puck. At 6’1”, 205 lbs, wingman Eric Bertrand, who played for DEL rival Kölner Haie two years ago, adds physical presence. Center Chris Herperger, who tallied 43 points (18G, 25A) in 169 NHL games for Chicago, Ottawa and Atlanta, can play a sound two-way game and has a reputation for scoring goals in the American minors. The 29-year-old Saskatchewan-native is a very versatile player who can also be used as a wingman. His transition to the bigger European rinks might take time, though. Player to watch: Slovenian Marcel Rodman, a draft choice of the Boston Bruins in 2001, has already shown his stick-handling skills and sniper mentality on the international stage, in the 2002 and 2003 IIHF World Championships. The 21-year-old led the Graz 99ers of the Austrian League in scoring last season, tallying 47 points (22G, 25A) in 44 games.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Don’t expect the 'Penguins' to repeat last year’s miracle after so many personnel changes. However the team has enough potential to be a serious playoff contender. Let’s see if Goring can work his magic again and turn a bunch of gifted individuals into a spirited team.

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PINGUINE DATA

Losses: G Roger Nordström (retired), D Christian Ehrhoff (San Jose Sharks/NHL), D Darryl Shannon (Eisbären Berlin), D Dan Lambert (Hamburg Freezers), D Mario Doyon (Indianapolis Ice/CHL), D/F Sergej Stas (Freiburg Wölfe), F Brad Purdie (Hamburg Freezers), F Christoph Brandner (Minnesota Wild/NHL), Patrik Augusta (Hannover Scorpions), Sandy Moger (Schwenninger Wild Wings/Div-2), Gary Shuchuk (Springfield Falcons/AHL), F Günter Oswald (ERC Ingolstadt), F David Musial (EHC Wolfsburg/Div-2), F Bill Bowler (tbd), F Stephane Barin (tbd).

Additions: G Markus Janka (Regensburg Eisbären/Div-2), G Tim Schnelle (Star Bulls Rosenheim/Div-4), Justin Kurtz (Manitoba Moose/AHL), Chris Luongo (Nürnberg Ice Tigers), Shayne Wright (Kassel Huskies), Alexander Dück (Schwenninger Wild Wings), Daniel Pietta (Krefeld Juniors DNL), Chris Herperger (Manitoba Moose/AHL), Marc Beaucage (Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars), Eric Bertrand (Hershey Bears/AHL), Pascal Appel (Frankfurt Lions), Rob Guillet (Nürnberg Ice Tigers), Terry Yake (Nürnberg Ice Tigers), Marcel Rodman (Graz 99ers/Austria), Markus Busch (Schwenninger Wild Wings), Thomas Fritzmeier (Hannover Indians/Div-3).

First season in DEL: 1994-95
Last time team missed playoffs: 2000-01
DEL championships: 2003
Year-by-year record (reg. season/playoffs): 1994-95 (4/semifinals), 1995-96 (7/quarterfinals), 1996-97 (8/qf), 1997-98 (11/1st rd), 1998-99 (7/qf), 1999-2000 (3/qf), 2000-01 (9/-), 2001-02 (3/qf), 2002-03 (6/champions)
Home ice (capacity): Rheinlandhalle, Krefeld (6,714)
Team offices: Krefeld Pinguine, Kempener Allee 168, D-47803 Krefeld, Germany, ++49 2151-762390
Web: www.kev.de