Former Aberdeen Wings forward Lennart Palausch, now a member of the Heilbronner Falken (Falcons) of the DEL2 pro-league, chatted with Wings media staff about his transition back to Europe to play minor league hockey.
In his time with the Wings of the NAHL last season, Palausch played in 22 games scoring 3 goals and 5 assists. He was limited after an injury playing for team Germany at the 2013-2014 World Junior Championships in Malmo, Sweden mid-season. During the international tournament, Palausch scored an assist against team Canada. After physical rehab, he returned to the ice for workouts in his hometown of Mannheim, Germany. Scouts of the DEL2 league watched his progression closely and offered the young forward an entry-level contract.
“It’s a different type of hockey (in the US) cause of the smaller ice surface,” said Palausch. “It’s faster and more physically, which I liked a lot.”
So far in the 2014-2015 season, the Heilbronner Falken are 6-9-1. Palausch has played in all 16 games for the Falcons scoring a goal and two assists. The North American Hockey League helped shape another player on the Falken roster including former Minnesota Wilderness defenseman Dominik Tiffels (2013-2014). Falken forward T.J. Fast was a 2nd round selection of the NHL Los Angeles Kings. Palausch stated the team is young and still growing.
“The strengths of our team this year is hard to define as we are a very young team with a lot players under 22,” said Palausch. “But we put a lot of effort in every single game and I think that our best strength is that we work hard as a team.”
Palausch says he enjoyed his time in the United States, especially in Aberdeen with the Wings organization and fan community.
“Playing at home in the Odde was packed every game and the crowd was just awesome, it was so much fun to play there,” said Palausch. “I just have good memories playing for the Wings. It was a great team and a great staff to be around, they welcomed me and made it easy to forget that I was playing far from home.”
Palausch and the Heilbronner Falken will continue with the season push towards the year-end championship. The Aberdeen Wings organization wishes good luck to them.