Last Thursday, the day following his team’s victory in Salzburg to advance to the Champions Hockey League Final, Red Bull Munich captain Michael Wolf announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
“In the past few months, I have thought a lot and also had many discussions,” Wolf said through the club’s social media channels. “Of course, my family is also a big factor. They have supported me for years and put everything second to hockey. Now it's time for the family to come first.”
Wolf, 37, has played his entire career in Germany. He has amassed over 600 points in 14 DEL seasons – nine with the Iserlohn Roosters and is now in his fifth in Munich. He was also a regular on the German national team from 2005 to 2015 with the peak year being 2010 – the year he played in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and finished fourth on home ice at the World Championship in Cologne.
Wolf has been a familiar face in the CHL, with the 2018/19 season being his fourth appearance in a row. Heading into the Final, he has 14 points (6+8) in 24 games over those years. But while in previous years his Red Bulls have lasted no further than the Round of 16, this year they have a chance to do something special.
“We are in the Final of the Champions League. To say farewell with a win would, of course, be terrific.”Michael Wolf
“I want to thank Michael for his excellent leadership of the team,” said Munich head coach Don Jackson. “Of course, as a coach, I find it very unfortunate that he’s ending his career. Our manager Christian Winkler and the entire coaching staff would like to have seen him with our team even longer. Still, I'm sure he's made the right decision because he listened to his heart. I wish Michael, his wife Stefanie and his whole family the best for the future.”
Smiling, Jackson added, “But only after another title.”
Indeed, it’s fitting that the Red Bulls are the first German team to reach the CHL Final, since they’ve been so dominant domestically in recent years. They’ve won the last three DEL titles in a row and are looking for another.
Wolf agreed that “we also want to get the fourth championship in a row” before adding definitively: “But then it's definitely over.”
He considers the string of domestic titles among the highlights of his career, but Wolf hopes another highlight is coming soon in Gothenburg when Munich visit the Frölunda Indians.
“Of course, all three titles are unforgettable. And I hope that on February 5th, another great moment is to come.”