By Cory Wright WrightsWay / New York Islanders–
It’s not often that Dennis Seidenberg gets to play for the German National Team in Germany, so he relished the chance at this year’s IIHF World Championships in Cologne.
“Playing a home World Championships is always a great experience,” said Seidenberg, who also played in front of his home country in 2001. “The fans in Germany are pretty loud and are more like soccer fans than what you are used to over here.”
Germany was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Calvin de Haan and Team Canada, but picked up an upset win over Team USA in preliminary round action. Seidenberg was named the tournament’s top defenseman, leading all blueliners with eight points (1G, 7A) in eight games.
“The team did okay,” Seidenberg said. “It was a fun tournament. I played a lot and that was just the icing on the top.”
After the tournament, the Villingen-Schwenningen native went home – though his offseason home may come as a surprise.
Seidenberg spends his summers at the Jersey Shore, training in the morning and hanging at the beach in the afternoon – his offseason spot of choice for the last 14 years. So how did a defenseman who’s played for Boston, Florida, Arizona, Carolina, Philadelphia and the Islanders wind up setting up shop at the Shore?
“My wife grew up at the Shore. Her mom still lives there and her sister, so that’s basically the reason we go there,” Seidenberg said. “When I started with Philly I always used to go there with the guys on the weekend. It’s a combination of both.”
It’s about mentally recharging for Seidenberg – on the cusp of his 15th NHL season after inking a one-year deal with the Islanders on April 24.
“I’m a guy who doesn’t like to move a whole lot once I’m there,” he said. “I just want to relax and get the feeling that I’m bored and ready to go again once it’s all over.”
It’s not all sandcastles and sun-tanning for Seidenberg, who is one of the fitness freaks in the Islanders’ room. He’s been training five days a week throughout the summer and has been on the ice for a month, skating as early as 6:30 a.m. some mornings.
Seidenberg is back to skating on Long Island as his teammates filter in. He’s coming off his best statistical season in five years (5G, 17A) and said the decision to sign an extension with the Islanders was an easy one. After getting in some beach days, he’s ready to welcome winter again.
“I’m definitely ready. It’s been a long summer,” Seidenberg said. “Some guys came in already, but it’ll be nice to see the rest of them and get back together and get back working.
(Reprinted with permission of NHL.com) (NHL.com photo)
