Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Mateu Späth will represent Germany at the 2025-26 World Junior Hockey Championship in Minneapolis, Minn., after being named to Team Germany’s preliminary roster.
The German native has been one of the best offensive contributors on his team, averaging a point per game, according to the Silverbacks. He’s had six goals and nine assists in 14 games played.
Späth said he felt excited to receive the news.
“The head coach of the national team called me … I was really happy,” he said.
This is not the first time the 18-year-old has represented Germany. He was part of the team that won gold at the 2023-24 World Juniors Division 1A, where he recorded one goal and two assists in five games.
“In the past, it’s been fun for me, so I’m looking forward to Germany; they’re a tough group,” he said. Späth added that to be successful at the tournament, they have to be the “grittier” team.
“If we come together as a team, we’ll be better than expected,” he said.
Späth said the hardest part about playing hockey far from home is being away from family.
“The time difference is a bit annoying if I want to talk to my brother, my parents, my friends,” he said. “I miss my mom’s cooking.”
Späth will play in two pre-tournament games for the final cut of Team Germany’s 26-man roster, taking place on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
