Uwe Krupp is a former German professional ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and internationally. He was born on June 24, 1965, in Cologne, West Germany.
Krupp began his professional career in 1983 with the Cologne EC team in the German Ice Hockey League. He played for the team for six seasons, during which he won two German championships and was named the league's best defenseman in 1986 and 1988.
In 1986, Krupp was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1986-87 season and played for the Sabres for four seasons. During his time with the Sabres, Krupp established himself as a solid defenseman and helped the team reach the playoffs in three of his four seasons.
In 1991, Krupp was traded to the New York Islanders, where he played for two seasons. He then signed as a free agent with the Quebec Nordiques in 1993 and played for the team for one season before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Krupp's time with the Avalanche was the most successful period of his NHL career. He played for the team for six seasons, during which he won two Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001. Krupp scored the game-winning goal in triple overtime of Game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals, which gave the Avalanche their first championship in franchise history.
Krupp's NHL career came to an end in 2002 when he suffered a career-ending injury. He played a total of 729 NHL games, scoring 69 goals and 223 assists for 292 points.
Krupp also had a successful international career, representing Germany in numerous international tournaments. He played in five Olympic Games, eight World Championships, and two World Cups of Hockey. Krupp was the captain of the German national team for many years and is considered one of the greatest German hockey players of all time.
After retiring from playing, Krupp became a coach and has coached several teams in Germany and Switzerland. He also served as the head coach of the German national team from 2011 to 2015.
In conclusion, Uwe Krupp had a successful hockey career both in the NHL and internationally. He was a solid defenseman who helped his teams reach the playoffs and win championships. Krupp's contributions to German hockey have also been significant, and he is considered one of the greatest German hockey players of all time.
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