Korbinian Holzer

History

Korbinian Holzer was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Draft.

2004-05: Playing in 34 games for EC Bad Tolz in the Deutsche Nachwuchsliga, Holzer recorded 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) from the blue line with 66 PIM. He helped his club make the playoffs where in five games; Holzer had two assists and two PIM. Holzer proceeded to represent Germany at the U-18 World Junior Championships where in six games, Holzer recorded three points (two goals, one assist) with four PIM.

2005-06: Holzer played for the EC Bad Tolz club at three different levels. At the Deutsche Nachwuchsliga level, Holzer played three games recording a goal and an assist with six PIM. At the 2. Bundesliga Abstiegsrunde level, Holzer played in 10 games scoring one goal and notching 14 PIM, and at the 2. Bundesliga level Holzer played in 36 games recording five points (two goals, three assists) with 80 PIM. Holzer again represented Germany at the U-18 World Junior Championships. In six games, Holzer recorded three points (one goal, two assists) and 18 PIM.

2007-08: This season was Holzer’s first with DEG Metro Stars (GER), and it proved to be a learning experience for the defenseman. He recorded 7 points in 35 regular season games with the club, and added another two helpers in 13 playoff games with the team from Dusseldorf.

2008-09: Holzer continued his strong play with the DEL Club, with four goals and five assists to go along with 89 penalty minutes.

2009-10: The German defender took a leap forward, not only in the DEL, where he scored six goals and 16 assists. He would also take his talents to the world stage, playing a large role on the German Olympic Team in Vancouver.

2010-11: Holzer made his NHL debut in a pair of November games with the Leafs and skated for the AHL Marlies in his first season in North America. Holzer averaged 13 minutes of ice time and was -1 with 2 PMs in his brief NHL stint. He was arguably the Marlies’ top defensive defenseman. His +10 plus/minus was tops amongst the team’s defense corps and he had 3 goals with 10 assists and 88 PMs in 73 AHL games. Holzer skated for his native Germany in the 2011 IIHF World Championship and was +2 with 1 assist and 10 PMs.

2011-12: Holzer was re-called twice by the Maple Leafs but did not appear in any games — skating in 67 games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in his second season in North America. One of the top young defensemen prospects for the Leafs, he scored 1 goal with 20 assists and was plus-seven with 68 penalty minutes. The Marlies finished first in the North Division and reached the AHL finals. Holzer scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was plus-two with 39 penalty minutes; skating in all 17 playoff games. He was re-signed as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract by the Leafs in July 2012.

Talent Analysis

Holzer has good size at 6’3, and continues to add strength to his frame. He initiates contact at the proper time and handles himself well in physical contests. He is calm with the puck and has a solid transition game out of the defensive zone. As the 2010-11 season wore on, Holzer started to adjust well to the speed of the smaller-ice surface. Defensively, Holzer plays sound positionally and can neutralize opposing forwards in a shut-down role.

Future

Holzer was dealt by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Eric Brewer and a draft pick.