Björn Krupp

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.

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.

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.

In December 2014, Krupp went on loan to fellow Deutsche Eishockey Liga side Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg, before signing a two-year deal at the club in April 2015.

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.

On 13 May 2021, Krupp returned to former club Grizzlys Wolfsburg, signing as a free agent to a three-year contract through 2024.

International play

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.

On December 17, 2013, he made his senior international debut for Germany's men's national team in an exhibition game against Latvia.

Krupp later competed in the 2015 IIHF World Championship with Germany and saw action in seven games during the tournament. He also represented Germany at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2006–07 TPH Thunder 16U AAA 16U AAA 40 6 7 13 57 — — — — — 2007–08 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 20 1 2 3 2 — — — — — 2007–08 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 43 0 3 3 40 3 1 0 1 0 2008–09 Belleville Bulls OHL 57 1 3 4 22 17 0 0 0 9 2009–10 Belleville Bulls OHL 67 0 11 11 53 — — — — — 2010–11 Belleville Bulls OHL 61 1 10 11 54 4 0 0 0 2 2011–12 Kölner Haie DEL 48 0 8 8 70 4 0 0 0 2 2012–13 Kölner Haie DEL 40 1 8 9 22 12 0 2 2 8 2012–13 Füchse Duisburg 3.GBun 8 1 4 5 2 — — — — — 2013–14 Kölner Haie DEL 52 4 4 8 48 17 0 2 2 16 2014–15 Kölner Haie DEL 25 0 0 0 24 — — — — — 2014–15 Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg DEL 26 1 4 5 22 11 0 0 0 20 2015–16 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 51 0 3 3 112 6 0 0 0 0 2016–17 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 51 0 8 8 114 18 1 1 2 6 2017–18 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 52 2 6 8 42 7 0 2 2 4 2018–19 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 49 0 6 6 12 — — — — — 2019–20 Adler Mannheim DEL 36 1 2 3 53 — — — — — 2020–21 Adler Mannheim DEL 33 2 2 4 14 6 0 0 0 2 2021–22 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 47 1 7 8 29 8 1 0 1 4 2022–23 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 54 5 7 12 42 14 1 2 3 8 2023–24 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 51 2 4 6 32 4 0 0 0 2 2024–25 Grizzlys Wolfsburg DEL 40 0 2 2 18 — — — — — DEL totals 655 19 71 90 654 107 3 9 12 72

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2008 United States U17 6 0 0 0 4 2015 Germany WC 10th 7 0 0 0 2 2018 Germany OG 7 0 0 0 0 2018 Germany WC 11th 7 1 0 1 0 Junior totals 6 0 0 0 4 Senior totals 21 1 0 1 2