This transfer is causing a stir! After C.J. Suess (31) departed from the Dresdner Eislöwen, a team facing relegation from the DEL, his signing with DEL2’s Krefeld Pinguine was suddenly announced. The problem? The American player had previously stated he was returning home to the US due to family reasons…
Suess said upon his departure last Tuesday: “With the birth of our daughter in November, my focus has shifted, and I demand to prioritize my family at this time.”
Just four days later, the forward seemed to forget that entirely, signing a long-term contract with the Pinguine through 2027, with an option for another year.
What does Dresden’s new Sporting Director, Jens Baxmann (40), say about his former player’s apparent change of heart? “We respected C.J. Suess’s family decision. We were unable to foresee the subsequent developments, but we will take important lessons from this situation for our future work,” the Eislöwen boss said in response to a query from BILD.
Eislöwen-Sportchef Jens Baxmann (Mitte) gefiel der plötzliche „Sinneswandel“ von C.J. Suess garantiert nicht
A transfer dispute is brewing around the DEL forward! Fact: Dresden was unaware that Suess would soon accept an offer from the Pinguine, otherwise they likely wouldn’t have terminated his contract until the end of the season. Now, the American player will suit up for a team that could win the second-division championship, potentially extinguishing the Eislöwen’s last hope of remaining in the DEL.
Why Suess’s Transfer is So Contentious
If a team not eligible for promotion wins the DEL2 championship, Dresden could remain as the bottom team in the top league. The fallout from the forward’s move is far from sweet – it’s downright bitter!
According to information obtained by BILD, Suess had credibly assured the Eislöwen he was returning to the United States. In retrospect, it appears to have been a deception.
The strangeness is further emphasized by the wording in the Krefeld Pinguine’s press release. CEO Peer Schopp stated, “We are very pleased to have been able to win C.J. Suess for us so shortly after his departure from Dresden.”
Abschied mit Geschmack: C.J. Suess verlässt Dresden mit bitterer Note
Suess addressed the situation on Instagram, stating: “On Wednesday, I was presented with an unexpected opportunity that promised stability for my family and me. Something that felt important for our future and that we could not pass up.” Whether that will be believed remains to be seen.
Drew LeBlanc Extends Contract in Dresden
In a bizarre twist, the “Westdeutsche Zeitung” had reported that Drew LeBlanc (36) was moving from Dresden to Krefeld. However, according to information obtained by BILD, this proved to be false. Better yet: the center has extended his contract with the Eislöwen for next season. Sporting Director Jens Baxmann said: “Drew is a true professional and an asset to our team. He stands one hundred percent for the club and always leads by example. With his experience and leadership qualities, he can help our younger players.”
