Jochen Hecht facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jochen Hecht |
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Hecht, 2024
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| Born | 21 June 1977 Mannheim, West Germany |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Adler Mannheim St. Louis Blues Edmonton Oilers Buffalo Sabres |
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| National team |  Germany |
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| NHL Draft | 49th overall, 1995 St. Louis Blues |
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| Playing career | 1994–2016 | ||
Jochen Thomas Hecht (born 21 June 1977) is a German ice hockey coach and a former professional player. He is known for his long career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and in Germany. Since March 2022, he has been an assistant coach for Adler Mannheim.
Hecht played 833 games in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, and Buffalo Sabres. He also started and finished his playing career with Adler Mannheim in Germany's top league, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Jochen Hecht's Amazing Hockey Journey
Jochen Hecht started playing ice hockey at a young age. He even played in big youth tournaments in Quebec, Canada, in 1990 and 1991. These tournaments are famous for young hockey players from all over the world.
Starting Out in Germany
Hecht began his professional career with Adler Mannheim in the DEL. He quickly showed his talent on the ice. His strong play caught the eye of teams in the NHL, the biggest hockey league in North America.
Life in the NHL: Playing for Top Teams
Joining the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues picked Jochen Hecht in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 49th player chosen overall. He played two full seasons for the Blues, scoring many goals and assists.
Adventures with the Edmonton Oilers
In 2001, Hecht was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He played a full season with the Oilers, continuing to be a strong player. He was known for his hard work and skill.
Becoming a Buffalo Sabres Star
After his time with the Oilers, Hecht moved to the Buffalo Sabres in 2002. This is where he had some of his most successful years in the NHL. In the 2006–07 season, he scored 56 points, which was his best year for scoring.
Hecht was even chosen as a captain for the Sabres for certain months in 2007 and 2008. He was only the second German-born player to be a captain in the NHL. He signed a new contract that kept him with the Sabres until 2012. In 2007, he reached a big milestone, scoring his 300th career point.
In 2011, Hecht returned to his hometown of Mannheim with the Sabres for a special game against Adler Mannheim. Even though he was injured and couldn't play, the fans gave him a huge cheer when he skated onto the ice.
Returning to Germany and Retirement
After an injury in 2012, Hecht decided to return to Adler Mannheim for a short time. He then re-signed with the Sabres for one more season. In April 2013, Jochen Hecht announced that he was retiring from the NHL.
After leaving the NHL, Hecht went back to Mannheim to finish his playing career with Adler Mannheim. In 2015, he helped his team win their third German championship. He had won two titles with them before his NHL career, in 1997 and 1998. Hecht played three more years in Germany before retiring from professional hockey in 2016.
Playing for His Country: International Games
Jochen Hecht also proudly represented Team Germany in many international tournaments.
- He played in four World Junior Ice Hockey Championships between 1994 and 1997. He holds a record for the most games played in this tournament.
- He participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where Germany finished eighth.
- He was supposed to play in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, but an injury stopped him.
- He also played in several Ice Hockey World Championships and World Cup of Hockey tournaments for Germany.
From Player to Coach
After retiring as a player, Jochen Hecht started a new chapter in his hockey career: coaching.
- On August 2, 2016, he became a player development coach for Adler Mannheim. This role helps younger players improve their skills.
- He also worked as an assistant coach for the German men's national team during the 2016 Deutschland-Cup.
- In July 2017, he was promoted to assistant coach for Adler Mannheim.
- After taking some time to get his coaching licenses, Hecht returned to Adler Mannheim as an assistant coach on March 29, 2022. He also worked as a TV expert for ice hockey.
Career Highlights
Jochen Hecht had an impressive career, playing many games and scoring many points in both the NHL and the DEL.
- DEL totals: He played 356 games, scoring 105 goals and 161 assists for a total of 266 points. In the playoffs, he had 75 games, 25 goals, and 31 assists for 56 points.
- NHL totals: He played 833 games, scoring 186 goals and 277 assists for a total of 463 points. In the playoffs, he played 59 games, scoring 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points.
