Jon Blum of EHC Red Bull München is currently the DEL's top scoring defender

Friday, 13. January 2023 | Jon Blum of EHC Red Bull München is currently the DEL's top scoring defender

No defender scores more often: "I know exactly what is expected of me".// PERSONALThe Red Bulls are sovereign league leaders. Credit to the entire team, but some players stand out statistically. Jonathon Blum is one of them.

It was not until late that his path led him to Germany. In 2021, "Blummer" (pronounced: Blamma) moved to the Red Bulls organization. But let's first take a look at the beginning of his career, which was immediately followed by a real culture shock. Born in California, Blum moved to Vancouver on the west coast of British Columbia in the summer of 2005. From the sunny Golden State to Canada's rainy metropolis. Contrary to expectations, the 33-year-old defensive specialist quickly acclimatized - both to his new surroundings and to his former employer, the Vancouver Giants.

From culture shock to cult status

With the elite junior team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Blum enjoys cult status to this day, considered one of the best players in history. Because of his impressive statistics and the successful era he has shaped.

Top 5: Tore & Vorlagen von Jonathon Blum

// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS

That's because the 2009 Defenseman of the Year set club records for most career assists in the main round (155) and in the playoffs (28), as well as for most power-play goals in the playoffs (10). The right-shooter won the WHL championship with the Giants (2006), followed a season later by the Memorial Cup, the most prestigious title in junior field hockey.

Patience is a virtue

North America, Russia, Belarus, Sweden and Germany - Blum is now in his 14th season as a pro. Unlike his glorious junior days, he has yet to win a title in the professional business. That is set to change in the coming months.

The Red Bulls have been unchallenged at the top of the PENNY DEL for several weeks now and are the best team in terms of both offense (142 goals) and defense (88 goals conceded). Our defensemen have also had a decisive hand in the goal tally so far, as no other team gets as much shooting help from the blue line. Don Jackson's team has the most goals (25) and assists (113) from defensemen.

Blum alone accounts for 31 of those points (three goals, 28 assists). "After last season, it's a little easier for me now. I now know all the teams quite well and was able to internalize our system of play. I know exactly what is expected of me," explains the right-shooter.

"Our biggest opponent"

With his current output, the Nashville Predators' first-round pick from 2007 is not only the best defenseman in terms of points, but also the best provider of assists in the entire German Ice Hockey League. By comparison, last season our #24 stood at six goals and 28 assists after the entire main round. The 33-year-old will therefore almost certainly have his most successful season in a long time.

Verteidiger Jon Blum von Red Bull München

"After last year's defeat in the final, we want to prove that we are the best team." Who can stop Blum & Co. "We are our own biggest opponent," says Blum, for whom there is nothing better "than walking off the ice with three points after a game." And the Red Bulls have already done that 26 times this season, despite yesterday's home loss to Schwenningen. Add to that two wins each after overtime and penalty shootouts. But what counts in the end cannot be measured in points.