Portrait of EHC Red Bull München's Tobias Rieder

Monday, 12. August 2024 | Portrait of EHC Red Bull München's Tobias Rieder

Hearty food again at last: what makes Tobias Rieder tick A portrait of our NHL-experienced newcomer // NEWSTobias Rieder spent a long 14 years travelling the world of ice hockey. The 31-year-old experienced unforgettable moments on this journey. Now, however, he is happy to be back in Bavaria.

Finally, people around you again who speak the same dialect. Finally, Bavarian food in a pub again. Rieder is back on familiar terrain. "I've been travelling long enough. It's nice to be back here," says the native of Landshut, who immediately capitalised on this advantage: "We've already been to my parents' place in Landshut for dinner a few times. It's only 45 minutes from Munich - a stone's throw away."

Rieder: "Hobbies? I have a four-month-old daughter"

"We" - that's Tobi, his Canadian wife Laura and their four-month-old daughter Collins. Rieder's life has changed since she was born. That's why he takes it easy in his free time. "I like to go for a walk in the city and have a coffee. The main thing is not to do anything too hectic," says Rieder. He is a relaxed and sociable guy.

The start of a global career

His path to ice hockey was mapped out. "I skated for the first time when I was three or four years old. My dad played in Dorfen and Erding. I was always there as a child," says Rieder, who started out as a junior at EV Landshut. He also tried out football, but at some point he had to decide on a sport. His choice fell on the more time-consuming of the two.

A move that changed everything

He stood out in the EV Landshut youth programme. At 16, he was already playing in the first team. His dream: North America. "I spoke a lot with Marco Sturm at the time. It was through him that I got in touch with his agent. And he organised the move to the Kitchener Rangers," says Rieder.

Kitchener was a stroke of luck for Rieder: he met his wife Laura there. And after strong performances in Canada's top junior league, the OHL, he was drafted in round four by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 NHL draft, in which all NHL teams secure the transfer rights to the world's best young players.

Career highlight with a toothbrush

However, the forward played the first of his 492 NHL games (67 goals | 83 assists) for the Arizona Coyotes. The hours leading up to that were some of the most exciting of his career. "I was travelling away with the AHL team when I got the call from the Coyotes," says Rieder.

He was taken completely by surprise: "I had nothing with me except a toothbrush. I even had to borrow a suit from a member of staff. And then I flew to Washington and played there." And how: Rieder netted straight away in his NHL debut. "That game with the goal is definitely the highlight of my career."

Second home in North America

His time in North America shaped him - musically too. "I like listening to country music. I jumped on the bandwagon over there," says Rieder. Three years ago, he and Laura built a house in Kitchener. "We spend most of the summer over there. That's why it's nice to be here now during the season," continues our new number eight.

The creation of SAP Gardens in fast-forward

Friends reunited

Rieder reunites with a very good friend at the Red Bulls. Not only does Nico Krämmer also come from Landshut, he was also Rieder's team-mate at the EVL for a long time: "We've known each other since we were kids and played together from junior to first team. Nico is a good mate," says Rieder. Now the two are united.

Three years ago, the friends made a comeback: Rieder played in the German national team together with Krämmer and Tom Kühnhackl - another Landshut native. The national team coach at the time was Toni Söderholm, current coach of the Red Bulls.

Tobi or Tobias?

Rieder is looking forward to playing under Söderholm again. And he is looking forward to the SAP Garden. "What I've seen and heard about the new arena so far - it's going to be outstanding," enthuses Rieder. Just one question remains: Tobi or Tobias? "I don't really care. But most people say Tobi." What is more important to him is that he arrives in Munich quickly in sporting terms. He has long since achieved this in his private life.