Alexander Blank’s heart beats for ice hockey and for the city of Krefeld. The captain of the “Krefeld Penguins” has a very special connection to Krefeld; his father, Boris Blank, used to play for the Krefeld Penguins and is now also active there as co-trainer.

In an interview with Cleverland, he explains what makes the ice hockey club and the city so special.

Krefeld Penguins (KEV) and Krefeld – What does this connection mean to you?

KEV and the city of Krefeld have made me feel at home since childhood. I learned to play hockey at Kev81, which is across the street, and I have lived in Krefeld since I was three. As a child, I used to watch my father’s matches in the stadium. I was able to soak up the atmosphere of the city around KEV from an early age. It is not surprising that I have a very strong connection to both the club and the city.

Why do you like living and working in the region? What makes this region so special?

Krefeld is my home. My family and all my friends live here. As a family of athletes, it is not necessarily common to live in one city for a long time and spend your entire childhood there. For me, this is the case in Krefeld, so I have very strong roots here. This region also has a very specific appeal. The people in and around Krefeld are, as they say, of a special kind. In Krefeld, people are open and honest with each other, qualities that I particularly appreciate and value. The city itself feels a bit like a mixture of big city and village. You will always meet familiar faces on the street, yet it is also big enough to withdraw into anonymity.

What is the best way to enjoy your free time in Krefeld and the surrounding area? Do you have any insider tips?

My favourite way to relax after a busy week is a walk through Krefeld. There are many beautiful places to discover. I like to walk along the banks of the Rhine or in the city forest. Apart from that, Krefeld has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy. My favourite restaurants are Odysseus and Mamas. Maybe not a real insider tip, but you can always eat well there.

What are your expectations for the current ice hockey season?

This season has been particularly difficult for us players. It might sound a bit corny, but it’s a spectacular feeling to have 8,000 people cheer you on. Unfortunately, that has been missing this season. Still, as a young player I am happy to get so much game time and hope to keep improving my performance for the rest of the season. As a team, I hope we finish the season as well as possible and win as many games as possible. The solidarity in the team is excellent and I hope we will finish high in the league.

Krefeld Pinguine

Foto: Krefeld Pinguine