Eisenschmid: Answering the call from a hockey idol

MONTREAL - Markus Eisenschmid will never forget receiving a text message from former NHLer Marco Sturm last fall.

Sturm, the head coach of the German national team, contacted the 23-year-old forward to gauge his interest in suiting up for three exhibition games just ahead of the 2018 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Denmark.
Eisenschmid, of course, was all in. Play well, and he might have the opportunity to represent his country for the first time at the senior level.
Things clearly worked out for the best for the Marktoberdorf native, who ultimately secured a roster spot and has since played in all three of Germany's contests to date at the annual tournament.

"It's an honor. I started in the U16 program and went through all of the national teams. Obviously, this was the goal, to eventually end up on the senior national team," said Eisenschmid, who is still looking to register his name on the scoresheet with four preliminary round games to go. "When I finally got the call, I was really happy because playing a World Championship against all those great players on a very big stage is awesome."
As is playing for one his hockey heroes in Sturm. The 39-year-old bench boss leads all German-born NHL players with 938 games played, 242 goals and 487 points on his resume from his time with San Jose, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, Vancouver and Florida.
He also helmed the German squad that claimed a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
"He's an idol. I looked up to him from a really young age on," mentioned Eisenschmid, who met up with Sturm in November in Laval while the 14-year veteran was on a tour of North America, of sorts, visiting potential roster candidates. "It was great seeing him. I was a big fan when I was a little kid. Knowing that he had his eyes on me and then giving me the opportunity to play for my country, it was just great."

With the way things played out for the Rocket this past season, Eisenschmid was hopeful Sturm would come calling for his services. In short, it was the perfect way to help put a tough year with the Canadiens' affiliate behind him.
"After the season, I wanted to play some more hockey and show some more of what I could do out there," insisted Eisenschmid, who put up six goals and 16 points in 57 games during the 2017-18 AHL campaign. "After our season with the Rocket was over, I knew I wasn't done yet. It's great to still be doing it."
It certainly doesn't hurt Eisenschmid's cause to be learning from the likes of Sturm, and veteran NHL defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Korbinian Holzer, either. Re-connecting with good buddy, Leon Draisaitl, is a bonus, too.
"All those guys are great leaders. With Leon, I played with him growing up on national teams because we're the same age. With other guys like Dennis and Korbinian, those are really hard-working guys who figured out how to play in the NHL and have an impact there," said Eisenschmid. "You can learn a lot from them because being around all these years takes a lot of work. They're perfect examples of that."
Draisaitl isn't the only familiar face on-site, though, with Charlie Lindgren making his international debut for the United States as well.
"Chuck's actually in my hotel," said Eisenschmid, who didn't square off against Lindgren when Germany was blanked 3-0 by Team USA on Monday, as Keith Kinkaid was in between the pipes. "It's awesome to see each other over here. We always get a good laugh at seeing each other around. We've played on the same team the last few years and now we're playing against each other. It's funny."

Friendship aside, Eisenschmid is in Denmark for one reason, and one reason only… to contribute to his country's cause.
"I just want to put myself in the best light possible, have a successful tournament and help my team," concluded Eisenschmid. "We just have to stick to what we do and build on what the guys who went to the Olympics did there."
Photo credit: Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images