Tobias Eder (left) has died at the age of 26. © AFP / JOE KLAMAR

At the age of 26: German ice hockey national player dead

Great sadness in German sport: ice hockey national player Tobias Eder has died at the age of only 26.

29 January 2025

From: dpa/det

Eder died of complications from cancer, as the Eisbären Berlin announced, citing Eder's family. The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a malignant tumor during a sports medical examination at the capital club last summer, just a few weeks after his participation in the World Cup in the Czech Republic. The Tegernsee native's illness meant that immediate treatment was necessary.

"We are shocked, deeply saddened and stunned," the polar bears wrote on Instagram. "Unfortunately, Tobi did not win his hardest battle. It is impossible to find the right words now. Dear Tobi, we will miss you. You always put a smile on everyone's face. That is exactly how we will always remember you!"

27 appearances for the DEB team

Eder has played for the Berlin team since 2023 and was trained at EC Bad Tölz. He moved to the Eisbären via EHC Red Bull Munich and Düsseldorfer EG. According to the association, the Bavarian played 27 international matches for the German national team. At last year's World Cup, the striker was still part of the DEB team. In the opening match, Eder scored a goal in the 6:4 win against Olympic third-place finishers Slovakia. The DEB selection later failed in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.

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Due to Eder's "critically deteriorating health condition," the Eisbären Berlin's planned league game against ERC Ingolstadt was postponed to February 26. The Eisbären team did not feel able to compete in the game scheduled for Wednesday.

Eder's death brings back sad memories of Robert Müller. The former national ice hockey goalkeeper died in 2009 from the effects of a brain tumor at the age of just 28.