The first overseas signing of the offseason has taken place as Adler Mannheim in the German DEL announced they have signed Kristian Reichel to a three-year contract.
Photo Credit: Alexander James (Illegal Curve)
While Reichel was not drafted by the Jets he may as well have been as he has been in Winnipeg for six years now which began when he was as an invitee playing junior hockey in Red Deer. He signed a one-year AHL deal with the Manitoba Moose that summer and would sign another one-year AHL deal the following summer.
Then in June of 2020 his hard work paid off with a two-year NHL ELC with the Jets. He made his NHL debut in the second year of this deal scoring his first NHL goal (in his second ever NHL game) and picking up his first NHL assist in 13 games with Winnipeg. He was doing well but he blocked a shot in Calgary which put him on the shelf. Two years after signing his first NHL contract he was signed to a two-year extension which would take him to the end of the 2023-24 season. He would play two more games for the Jets in 2022-23.
This past season with the Moose he had a monster year which is all the more remarkable as it took him quite a while to score his first goal. But he would set career highs in goals, assists, and games played finishing the 2023-24 season with 23 goals, 19 assists for 42 points in 70 games.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Today it was announced by Adler Mannheim of the German DEL that Reichel was signed to a three-year contract. From their website (using translate):
“We are delighted that Kristian is joining our club. He’s a team-serving player who works hard in every game. Kristian can play in all situations and is another right-winger who can be used both in the centre position and on the wing. The experience he has gained in Europe and North America will be good for us,” said coach and manager Dallas Eakins about the new signing.
“I’m really looking forward to this new opportunity. It will definitely be an adjustment to come back to Europe, but I can’t wait to play in front of the great Mannheim fans. I want to build on last season in Canada and give everything for the team to be successful,” said Reichel himself about his move.”
Tough blow for the Moose as Reichel formed an integral part of the Identity Line alongside Jeffrey Viel and rookie Parker Ford.
He will be playing alongside former Jets draft pick and Moose defenceman Leon Gawanke who signed a four-year deal with Adler Mannhein, was subsequently traded by the Jets to the Sharks last summer, signing a one-year deal and then having it terminated so he could go back to his homeland of Germany.
