The Straubing Tigers have announced the dismissal of their head coach Tom Pokel after seven and a half seasons, emphasizing the need for change amid recent poor performance.
On Tuesday morning, the German ice hockey club revealed their decision to part ways with the 57-year-old American, who had been at the helm since the 2017-2018 season. Under Pokel's leadership, the Tigers had seen regular playoff appearances and significant achievements, but after enduring five consecutive losses, the team found their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Jason Dunham, the Tigers’ sports director, acknowledged Pokel's valuable contributions, stating, “Tom has over 8.5 years done great work for the Straubing Tigers. He shaped the club and contributed significantly to our development. Nevertheless, I see our sports goals threatened.” With the club currently positioned eighth and only two points clear of the eleventh-place Nürnberg, the pressure to perform became too great to ignore.
Pokel, who became the longest-serving coach of the Tigers, transformed the club during his tenure. He led the team to six consecutive playoff appearances, including reaching the playoffs five times directly to the quarter-finals, and achieving notable success by competing three times in the Champions Hockey League (CHL), making it to the last 16 on two occasions. The pinnacle of his career with the Tigers was reached during the 2024 Spengler Cup final, marking one of the most significant international successes for the club.
Upon his dismissal, Pokel expressed gratitude for his time with the Tigers, saying, “I want to thank the club management, shareholders, sponsors, and all the fans for eight wonderful years. What a ride! I will never forget all the beautiful moments, memories, games, experiences, and especially the many friends in Straubing.” His heartfelt farewell testimony highlights not only his achievements but the relationships he built within the club and the community.
The announcement of Pokel’s exit marks the third coaching change this season within the PENNY DEL. The Tigers’ management has yet to reveal his potential successor, though speculation around Craig Woodcroft, the former DEL player and current coach, has begun to surface. Woodcroft previously served as head coach and assistant at the Mannheim club and had last season's experience with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL.
Dunham reflected on the decision to part ways with Pokel, stating, “The current direction does not meet my expectations and the development has not proceeded as I wished. Therefore, we decided to make a change. I thank Tom and his family for their dedicated commitment and wish them all the best for the future.”
While the Tigers enter the international break with their next match scheduled for the following Friday, the club intends to formally acknowledge Pokel's contributions at a later date. This transition phase may be challenging, but it also brings new opportunities as the Tigers aim to fulfill their playoff aspirations under new coaching leadership.