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Thomas Greiss, born January 29^th, 1986 in Fuessen, Germany, is a 6’1” tall goalie who played at his home town team Fuessen for 10 years from 1992 until 2002. Last year he played with the Cologne Sharks Junior team for 24 games. He played 1286 minutes and finished with a 2.61 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

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Greiss played with the German team at the U-20 World-Championship Div. I Group A where he played one game and was promoted with the U-20 team to the highest level. He did the same with the German under 18 team and they were promoted as well.

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CSS ranked Greiss fourth on their European goaltenders list, and the best German goalie, for the upcoming draft in Raleigh. Hockey’s Future recently spoke with Greiss.

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HF: What else are you doing right now except relaxing?

TG: Like all year long; I am going to school and work toward my graduation. Aside that, I am already preparing for the new season at the gym. School and training keeps me busy so there isn’t that much time to relax.

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HF: You can look back to a quite successful year with the Cologne Sharks Junior program in the DNL, the German Elite Junior League. What were the highlights?

TG: Well, one of the highlights was the win against Mannheim, for sure. One could see the potential of the Cologne Sharks Junior team when they act and play as a team. The year before, we couldn’t win against Mannheim. At second sight we played quite good at the playoffs, except for the finals. Especially against Krefeld, where we weren’t expected to win this series, we played very well and could succeed in this series.

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HF: Too bad that you couldn’t win the DNL championship. What do you think was the reason for it?

TG: Apparently some guys were content with reaching the finals and weren’t hot enough and didn’t show the necessary work ethic which is essential to win a series. That made Mannheim’s victory all right.

HF: In the meantime, you had your first deployment in the DEL the German elite league. What were your impressions to play senior hockey?

TG: My impressions were very positive. The team supported my very well and it was a lot of fun to play there. In both games it was quite an atmosphere and the home crowd supported me well.

HF: What was the big difference?

TG: The biggest difference was the serenity and the routine of most of the players. It is very impressive how relaxed a Marco Luedemann plays.

HF: With Hans Zach you have the best German coach, what is of most importance to him?

TG: In my opinion, Hans Zach favors a 100 percent attitude towards your sport. He wants you to give everything at each practice. This is very important, because it’s the only way to improve.

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HF: You were in Berlin with the German under 20 team at the world championship Div. I Group A and with the German under 18 team at the world championship Div I B and succeeded with both to promote to the highest division again. Which tournament was more difficult?

TG: Both were difficult, to promote to the highest division you can’t lose one game. This year we were successful twice which made me very happy. In Berlin it seems to me it was more difficult because we tied one game and had to rely on the help of other teams to be promoted.

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HF: At the U-18 tournament you were not the No. 1 goaltender, were you injured?

TG: I wasn’t at my best ability for sure because I broke my hand before the tournament and just came back shortly before. But we took turns so both of us had enough ice time. At the end it just counts that you succeed and promote.

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HF: CSS ranked you fourth in the upcoming NHL entry draft in Raleigh as best German goalie at their European goalie list. Did you decide to go there already?

TG: No, I haven’t made up my mind yet, it will be a short term decision.

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HF: Could you imagine playing in North America this coming year, or do you have other plans?

TG: Basically I could imagine to play there, but for the new season I signed a contract in Cologne and I will stick to it.

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HF: Is there a favorite franchise you would like to be drafted by?

TG: No, I don’t have a favorite NHL club, I just hope to be drafted as high as possible, and where I might play then is less important.

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HF: Who is your favorite hockey player and why?

TG: I never had a favorite player; I always played my style which I will continue to do.

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HF: What will you have to work on most in order to improve?

TG: There would be so many things to answer this question that it would exceed the size of this interview. There are some deficits in puck handling I have to work on.

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HF: What is your personal goal for the new season?

TG: I would like to jump at the chance Hans Zach will give me and of course hope to play for the German under 20 team.