Mads Larsen: The Danish defender takes Weiden by storm!

Mads Larsen: The Danish defender takes Weiden by storm!

Mads Larsen, the dynamic defender of the Blue Devils Weiden, talked about his exciting path into the German ice hockey scene in the latest episode of the “Powerplay” podcast. The 29-year-old Dane, newly crowned Czech second division champion, has set up his tent in Weiden and is bringing a breath of fresh air to the top league. “My goal was always to come to Germany,” admits Larsen and explains that the German and Danish mentalities are surprisingly similar, which made it easier for him to get started.

But the start was anything but easy! In a friendly against the Onesto Tigers Bayreuth, Larsen was brutally attacked by Aiden Brown and rammed into the boards after just ten seconds. This sneaky attack forced him to take a six-week injury break, which cost him the start of the season. “The support from the club, doctors and coaching team was overwhelming,” says the Dane. Despite Bayreuth's silence about the attack, he remains calm: "Something like that is part of sport!"

On the way back

Although he was only able to watch the first few games from the stands, Larsen is not surprised by the Blue Devils' rocky start to the season. “Climbers need time to acclimatize,” he explains. After a promising four-point weekend, he sees a turning point for the team. “I hope that we will perform like this in the coming games,” he says optimistically about the upcoming games against Freiburg and Dresden.

After the international break, Larsen will take a short break in his hometown of Herning, where he can recharge. But the Dane's heart also beats for the national team: "I haven't heard anything from the association, but I would never say no to an invitation." He may even take part in the World Cup in 2025, when his hometown co-hosts the tournament. The future looks bright for the talented defender!