Björn Krupp

Björn Krupp (born March 6, 1991) is an American-born German professional ice hockey defenseman playing for Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He is the son of former NHL defenseman Uwe Krupp.^[1]

Björn Krupp
Born	(1991-03-06) March 6, 1991 (age 34) Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
DEL team Former teams	Grizzlys Wolfsburg Kölner Haie Adler Mannheim
National team	Germany
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2011–present

Playing career

Early life

Krupp was born in Buffalo, New York when his father was a member of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. Krupp spent time living in both the United States and Canada as a result of his father's career, but moved back to Germany with his mother after his parents' divorce in 1996. In 2002, he returned to North America, where his father was in his last NHL season with the Atlanta Thrashers at the time, and started playing ice hockey there at the age of eleven.^[2]

His early career included spells playing midget with TPH Thunder (2006–2007) and major junior hockey with Ontario Hockey League team, the Belleville Bulls (2008–2011).

Professional

Undrafted, in September 2011, he returned to Germany and signed for Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), where he was coached by his father.^[3][4]

In December 2014, Krupp went on loan to fellow Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg,^[5] before signing a two-year deal at the club in April 2015.^[6]

In the midst of the 2018–19 season on November 17, 2018, Krupp agreed to a three-year contract with his third DEL club, Adler Mannheim, following the conclusion of his contract with Wolfsburg at seasons end.^[7]

On 13 May 2021, Krupp returned to former club Grizzlys Wolfsburg, signing as a free agent to a three-year contract through 2024.^[8]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Germany
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
	2018 Pyeongchang

Krupp is a dual citizen of both Germany and the United States.

In 2007–08, Krupp was a member of the National Team Development Program representing the United States at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.^[9]

On December 17, 2013, he made his senior international debut for Germany's men's national team in an exhibition game against Latvia.^[10]

Krupp later competed in the 2015 IIHF World Championship with Germany and saw action in seven games during the tournament.^[11] He also represented Germany at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.^[12]

Career statistics

Krupp with Grizzlys Wolfsburg in 2022

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006–07	TPH Thunder 16U AAA	16U AAA		40	6	7	13	57		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	U.S. NTDP U17	USDP		20	1	2	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	U.S. NTDP U18	NAHL		43	0	3	3	40		3	1	0	1	0
2008–09	Belleville Bulls	OHL		57	1	3	4	22		17	0	0	0	9
2009–10	Belleville Bulls	OHL		67	0	11	11	53		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Belleville Bulls	OHL		61	1	10	11	54		4	0	0	0	2
2011–12	Kölner Haie	DEL		48	0	8	8	70		4	0	0	0	2
2012–13	Kölner Haie	DEL		40	1	8	9	22		12	0	2	2	8
2012–13	Füchse Duisburg	3.GBun		8	1	4	5	2		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Kölner Haie	DEL		52	4	4	8	48		17	0	2	2	16
2014–15	Kölner Haie	DEL		25	0	0	0	24		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg	DEL		26	1	4	5	22		11	0	0	0	20
2015–16	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		51	0	3	3	112		6	0	0	0	0
2016–17	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		51	0	8	8	114		18	1	1	2	6
2017–18	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		52	2	6	8	42		7	0	2	2	4
2018–19	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		49	0	6	6	12		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Adler Mannheim	DEL		36	1	2	3	53		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Adler Mannheim	DEL		33	2	2	4	14		6	0	0	0	2
2021–22	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		47	1	7	8	29		8	1	0	1	4
2022–23	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		54	5	7	12	42		14	1	2	3	8
2023–24	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		51	2	4	6	32		4	0	0	0	2
2024–25	Grizzlys Wolfsburg	DEL		40	0	2	2	18		—	—	—	—	—
DEL totals				655	19	71	90	654		107	3	9	12	72

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	United States	U17			6	0	0	0	4
2015	Germany	WC	10th		7	0	0	0	2
2018	Germany	OG			7	0	0	0	0
2018	Germany	WC	11th		7	1	0	1	0
Junior totals					6	0	0	0	4
Senior totals					21	1	0	1	2