After taking the Swedish Hockey League by storm, future Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider has taken his talents to Germany for the Hockey World Championship. It seems not much has changed in the transition to international hockey.
Dominating the SHL
Anyone who criticized the Red Wings for taking Moritz Seider 6th overall in the 2019 draft should beg for forgiveness. Now.
— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) May 24, 2021
Any Red Wings fan that lambasted Steve Yzerman when he “reached” for the 6-foot-4 German defenseman almost certainly deleted all evidence as Seider dominated the Swedish Hockey League.
Playing for Rogle BK, Seider quickly became infamous around the league for his surprisingly effective offensive skill set and punishing hits.
Red Wings prospect Moritz Seider is just running through guys over seas pic.twitter.com/LTK3aX5sWn
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 24, 2021
Red Wings fans weren’t the only ones taking notice at the kind of season Seider was having. Elite Prospects awarded him the defenseman of the year after the regular season finished, and soon after the SHL post-season ended (Rogle BK fell short in the championship), the SHL awarded Seider with the same title during their awards ceremony.
The World Tournament
Seider’s last stop before arriving at Detroit next season? Team Germany in the Hockey World Championships. So far, it looks like Seider had not missed a beat.
It's a beauty. pic.twitter.com/IpKeYrHRey
— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) May 24, 2021
Team Germany has played three games so far in the tournament, and Seider has been key in every one. He’s notched two assists, but more important (and significantly more entertaining) has been the massive hits he’s doled out, guarding the blue line at all costs.
Seider has dealt with some familiar names so far in the tournament – Red Wing’s defenseman Troy Stecher has been one of the few that has attempted to match Seider’s physicality.
Troy Stecher, meet Moritz Seider #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Xyvsvc9tlA
— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) May 24, 2021
Didn’t work out too well.
As the Red Wing’s season has come to a close, many fans have turned their attention to the NHL playoffs. However, fans should also keep a close eye on the Hockey World Championship. Not just to familiarize themselves with some of the upcoming draft prospects (Owen Powers, Matty Beniers, etc), but to also get a taste of what Seider will bring to the blue line in the 2021-22 season.