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Pelletier and Houda look back at
key performers from the Canada Cup/World Cup of
Hockey
Karl Friesen Biography
Karl Friesen was born in
Winnipeg, Manitoba but has spent most of his career
playing in Germany, where he is one of that
countries greatest goalies.
A starting goalie for
the West German national team, Friesen played in 6
World Championships in the years of 1981-1989. He
also participated in 3 Olympics (1984, 1988 and
1992) and the 1984 Canada Cup. Best known for his
days with Rosehheim in the German Leagues, Friesen
was named the German Player of the Year on 4
occasions - 1982, 1988, 1989 and 1990.
He was born in
Winnipeg, so how come that he ended up playing for
Germany for so many years? Well, his parents had
emigrated to Canada from Germany only a month before
his birth. Karl played some hockey around the
Winnipeg area as a youngster and was invited to
Winnipeg Jets training camp in their inaugural NHL
season 1979-80. He didn't make the team and was
ready to quit hockey to pursue a career in the
accounting field.
Karl, a deeply religious man had no plans to
continue with the sport, but two things changed his
life. He got married and then moved with his wife
Judy to West Germany in time for the start of that
country's club league season. Karl had dual
citizenship and was considered a resident by the
West German Ice Hockey Federation. He had been
approached by West German teams earlier but declined
the offers.
" In previous years, I had just passed off the
offers from Germany because I didn't want to go out
there by myself. In 1980, I got married and we
decided we would give it a try there. Even though I
never wanted to make hockey a career. I thought that
for one or two years it would be an experience that
I probably wouldn't be able to get at another time.
We enjoyed it so much that before we knew it five
years were up." Karl said.
Friesen, who played junior hockey in Manitoba, was
never drafted by the NHL. But after 5 seasons of
international competition, the New Jersey Devils,
desperately seeking goaltending help, signed the
free agent in 1985. Friesen spent the entire 1985-86
season with the Devils farm team in Maine of the AHL.
Friesen shared duties with Sam St. Laurent and also
shared the Hap Holmes Memorial Award for fewest
goals against in the AHL.
The following season
Friesen returned to Germany for good - but only
after getting his cup of NHL tea. Friesen appeared
in 4 games (130 minutes) going 0-2-1. He let in 16
goals on 96 shots (.800 save percentage).
Although he never
played more than four NHL games he had a rich
career, both money and playing wise.
"For someone who thought he would just get
married, settle down in his job, go to school, it's
just been an unbelievable life. Most people try it
in the pros, get sent to the minors and play there
and the try to go to Europe. I did that first."
Karl said.
During his years in Germany, Karl earned more money
per season than a good number of NHL puck stoppers.
As one of Germany's top players he could smile all
the way to the bank. He retired in 1996, 38-years
old. .
|
Legends
of Team Canada Book Oct 2004
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