Björn Krupp

{{Short description|American-born German ice hockey player (born 1991)}}

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| alt =

| name = Björn Krupp

| image = 2022-03-18 Eisbären Berlin gegen Grizzlys Wolfsburg (Deutsche Eishockey-Liga 2021-22) by Sandro Halank–004.jpg

| caption =

| image_size = 230px

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|3|6}}

| birth_place = Buffalo, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 203

| position = Defense

| shoots = Left

| league = DEL

| team = Grizzlys Wolfsburg

| former_teams = Kölner Haie
Adler Mannheim

| ntl_team = Germany

| draft = Undrafted

| career_start = 2011

| career_end =

}}

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.{{Cite web|title = Bjorn Krupp: Like Father, Like Son|url = http://www.qnetnews.ca/?p=3527|website = QNetNews.ca|access-date = 2016-02-10|language = en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160216213417/http://www.qnetnews.ca/?p=3527|archive-date = 2016-02-16|url-status = dead}}

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.{{Cite web|title = Weihnachtliches Familienduell bei den Krupps|url = http://www.morgenpost.de/sport/eisbaeren/article206857081/Weihnachtliches-Familienduell-bei-den-Krupps.html| website = www.morgenpost.de|access-date = 2016-02-10|language = de-DE|first = Marcel|last = Stein| date=24 December 2015 }}

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.[http://www.express.de/koelner-haie/neuer-kec-verteidiger-haie-geben-krupp-sohn-bjoern-einen-profi-vertrag,9303268,10829900.html Haie geben Krupp-Sohn Björn einen Profi-Vertrag] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929165817/http://www.express.de/koelner-haie/neuer-kec-verteidiger-haie-geben-krupp-sohn-bjoern-einen-profi-vertrag,9303268,10829900.html |date=2011-09-29 }} "Der 20-jährige Verteidiger hat also seinen Vater Uwe Krupp, Teamchef der Haie, in der Vorbereitung überzeugt. "Er macht sich gut", lobte der Vater. ""[http://del.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=92231&seasonid=7325 Kölner Haie 2011/2012 Roster]

In December 2014, Krupp went on loan to fellow Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg,{{cite web| url = http://www.haie.de/news/haie-verleihen-bjorn-krupp-nach-wolfsburg | work = Kölner Haie | title = Haie verleihen Björn Krupp nach Wolfsburg | date = 2014-12-11 | accessdate = 2016-02-01}} before signing a two-year deal at the club in April 2015.{{cite web| url = http://www.hockeyweb.de/del/bjoern-krupp-bleibt-bei-den-grizzly-adams-wolfsburg-78080# | work = hockeyweb.de | title = Björn Krupp bleibt bei den Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg | date = 2015-04-08 | accessdate = 2016-02-01}}

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.{{cite web| url = https://www.adler-mannheim.de/archiv/2018/november-2018/bjoern-krupp-kommt-zur-neuen-saison/ | title = Bjorn Krupp is coming for the new season | publisher = Adler Mannheim | date = 2018-11-17 | accessdate = 2018-11-17}}

On 13 May 2021, Krupp returned to former club Grizzlys Wolfsburg, signing as a free agent to a three-year contract through 2024.{{cite web| url = https://www.grizzlys.de/news_1551.html | title = Bjorn Krupp returns | publisher = Grizzlys Wolfsburg | date = 13 May 2021 | accessdate = 13 May 2021 | language = German}}

International play

{{MedalCountry|{{GER}}}}

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.{{cite web| url = http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/bjorn_krupp/ | work = hockeysfuture.com | title = Bjorn Krupp | date = 2016-02-01 | accessdate = 2016-02-01}}

On December 17, 2013, he made his senior international debut for Germany's men's national team in an exhibition game against Latvia.{{cite web| url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/wintersport/eishockeyspieler-bjoern-krupp-ein-grosser-starker-junge-12717454.html | work = Frankfurter Allgemeine | title = Ein großer, starker Junge | date = 2013-12-19 | accessdate = 2016-02-01}}

Krupp later competed in the 2015 IIHF World Championship with Germany and saw action in seven games during the tournament.{{cite web | url = http://www.iihfworlds2015.com/en/teams/#GER | work = IIHF | title = Germany roster | date = 2016-02-01 | accessdate = 2016-02-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150518035947/http://www.iihfworlds2015.com/en/teams/#GER | archive-date = 2015-05-18 | url-status = dead }} He also represented Germany at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.{{cite web | url = https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/495/IHM4950GER_33_3_0_GER.pdf | title = IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - TEAM ROSTER - GER - Germany | date = 2018-05-11 | work = IIHF | access-date = 1 May 2018 }}