How the Polar Bears Have So Far Defied the Coaching Oracle

The Eisbären Berlin have made a strong start to the still young DEL season. Especially goalkeeper newcomer Jonas Neffin quickly played into the hearts of the fans. When the 14 coaches of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) were asked for their favorite title before the season, the Eisbären Berlin were not among the top candidates for the title. Only one of the 14 DEL coaches who dared to predict gave the polar bears as his sole master tip. The eagles from Mannheim were significantly higher in the course, the Cologne sharks were also better assessed. Whether the coaches would adapt their already a few weeks old judgment in the meantime, is not transmitted. What is certain, however, is that the polar bears are in first place in the league after the first ten games, present themselves in strong form early on and impressively manifest their claim to championship. Neffin the Overflyer Big part of the strong opening of the Berlin with seven wins and only two defeats has goalkeeper newcomer Jonas Neffin. Before the season, the 26-year-old, whom the polar bears from the second division from Regenburg to Berlin guided, was considered in the duel with the also new Canadian Goalie Jack LaFontaine rather as an outsider on the post in the goal. But the best player and goalkeeper of the DEL 2 from last season quickly showed in Berlin why he was obviously rightly awarded this title. With five to-zero games in seven games in which he was used, Neffin is so far the discovery of the still young season and one of the defensive performers among the Berliners. With only 16 opponents, Neffin leads by far the best defensive in the league. Rest transfers itself to defense Felix Markau from the polar bear fan podcast "Puckgeflüster" [eishockey-berlin.de] impresses above all the calm that Neffin radiates. “Five shutouts in seven games are really incredible,” Markau told rbb|24. Neeffin's calm is also transferred to defense. He is a little ahead of LaFontaine. Of course, he won’t be able to keep the 97 percent catch quota completely over the entire season, but the way he gives himself gives us great hope that he will establish himself as number one and be a pole of calm for the polar bears, says Neffin. Dubois improves the switching game In addition to the goalkeeper position, the Berliners have also changed on another key post before the season. Eric Dubois has followed in the huge coaching footsteps of Serge Aubin, who has been so successful in recent years. At least for now, he has succeeded in the takeover bravourously. Dubois benefits from a team that has played mainly on offense, which has been cleverly reinforced. In addition, striking: Especially in the switchover game, the Berliners have become even better. Already during the first public training in the corrugated plate palace a good, relaxed atmosphere was felt on the ice. The communication between him and the players was very open and direct, says podcaster Markau. “If you look at the press conferences after the games, you realize that he is not only the relaxed buddy type, but at the same time has clear ideas and clearly addresses mistakes,” adds Markau. Small damper against Munich The polar bear fan is quite surprised how it is with the Berliners after the coach and goalkeeper changes already run, as he says. He hopes that the positive series of the Dubois team, which recently conceded a first slight damper against Munich, will continue in the next games. At the latest, if this hope is fulfilled, the 14 DEL coaches should change their master tip once again. Broadcast: rbb|24, 19.10.26, 12:32
Audio: rbb|24, 19.10.26, Felix Markau in an interview with Jonas Bürgener