In view of the Paralympic Games in Milan, I will try to interview players from the 8 qualified teams. They include the USA, Canada, the Czech Republic, China, and Germany, which qualified automatically by finishing in the top 5 places of the last World Championships Pool A in Buffalo, USA, in 2025. Italy, the 2025 World Champion of Pool B and host country. Lastly, Japan and Slovakia, who finished in the top two positions of the Paralympic qualifying tournament in Jessheim, Norway, last November.
Felix is the first player to have responded to me. I met him at the B pool World Championships in Skien, Norway, in 2024. With his team, they thrashed us 18 to 0, finishing as the top scorer with 6 goals (out of 7 shots) and 3 assists.
A discreet yet cheerful person, he is an extremely fast and decisive player. He has a quality that I appreciate: he says hello when you cross paths at the hotel 🙂 He helped us find German players to complete our first team Para Hockey French Crew during the tournament in Olomouc, Czech Republic, in 2024. I have a lot of respect for him and his teammates because I have seen from a distance everything they have accomplished to be where they are today. Their direct qualification for the Paralympic Games is no coincidence; they have worked immensely hard. I remember his teammate Ingo, who had come to be bored during a French tournament in Rouen in 2022 just to get some ice time, for example. Luck does not exist.
Can you introduce yourself? Your name, age, and whether you have a job in addition to playing para ice hockey?
My name is Felix Schrader, I am 28 years old. In addition to playing para ice hockey, I work full-time at a bank. In Germany, para ice hockey is not a professional sport, so we do not earn money from it. That means all of us have regular full-time jobs and play para ice hockey alongside our professional careers.
How long have you been playing? What is your sports history ? in club and national team?
I started playing para ice hockey in 2010. Over the years, I had to take short breaks of about a year at times due to professional commitments. I joined the national team in 2011. At club level, I have played exclusively for the Hannover Ice Lions since I started.
What position do you play? What do you enjoy about it? And what do you hope to contribute to your team through this role?
I play as a left forward, mainly on the left wing. What I enjoy most about this position is the speed I can bring to the game. My goal is always to help the team win, either by scoring goals myself or by creating scoring opportunities and assists for my teammates.
Do you have a favorite technique or a type of movement or action that you prefer?
I don’t have one specific favorite technique or movement. My main focus is on using my speed to keep the game fast and dynamic.
Conversely, is there a handling skill or technique that you would like to see improved?
One of my weaknesses is my shot power. Improving my shooting strength and developing a harder shot is something I am currently working on.
Can you tell us about your equipment? What kind of sled do you have? Do you have a special seat? What is the spacing of your blades? What sharpness do you have? What sticks do you play with? Can you explain these choices, advice, or any mistakes you’ve made about equipment?
I use a standard Ballistic sled with the original standard seat that comes with it. The spacing of my blades is about 2.5 centimeters, and I use a standard blade sharpening. I play with Warrior sticks.
It is very important to try out different seat positions, sled settings, stick types, and stick lengths to find what fits best for you. Only by testing different setups can you achieve the optimal position and performance. That process also includes making mistakes and learning from them.
How are you approaching these Paralympic Games? What are your personal goals? How do you feel about this unique competition?
I am approaching these Paralympic Games with a lot of excitement and motivation. My personal goal is to reach fifth place, just like at the World Championships. Qualifying for the Paralympic Games again is incredibly special for us, as the last qualification for the German team was in 2006 in Turin. It took 20 years for the German para ice hockey national team to qualify again, so this achievement alone means a lot to us.
Can you tell us about your daily routine during this preparation period? Any ice time, gym sessions, or other activities to help you perform well at the Games? Meditation …?
Since all of us work full-time, training mostly takes place in the evenings. Ice time and gym sessions usually happen after work. Unfortunately, for those of us living in Hannover, including myself, we currently only have one ice session per week. In addition, we try to include strength training sessions at the gym whenever possible in the evenings.
Can you tell us about the teams you’ll be facing? Which ones have a style of play or tactics that appeal to you? Any players in particular?
The top teams such as the USA, Canada, China, and Czechia are especially inspiring. What I really admire about the Chinese team is their speed and physical fitness. Individually, I look up to Declan Farmer, who I consider the greatest of all time in our sport, and Shen Yifeng from China, whose speed is absolutely incredible. Both are outstanding athletes in para ice hockey.
Do you have a mantra or a phrase you say to yourself that helps you feel good?
I don’t have a specific mantra or phrase that I say to myself.
What can we wish you for these Games besides a gold medal?
Given our conditions and circumstances, finishing in fifth place would almost feel like winning a gold medal for us.
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