Nikita Quapp is used to attracting attention, not only because of his size – an impressive 6’4″, 200 lbs – but also because of his goaltending skills and extensive experience despite his young age. Selected 187th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, the German goalie has, however, undergone another change in his career, moving from German DEL heavyweight Eisbären Berlin (with two loan stints at their second-tier farm team, the Lausitzer Füchse) to Düsseldorf.

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Quapp also attracted attention when he introduced himself at his new club’s training on Monday morning after the Hurricanes’ rookie camp. He had just been in the USA to take part in a week-long training camp for the Hurricanes. “I flew there on Friday, had Saturday and Sunday off, so I can train again on Monday,” said Quapp with a smile in an interview with the Westdeutsche Zeitung. With his combination of athleticism and size, Quapp resembles Carolina’s Danish-born goalkeeper Frederik Andersen.

Exhausting, Quapp admits – getting up early, a daily program with two training sessions, hours of lectures and medical examinations. Then there was the jet lag. But of course he wasn’t there to rest. “You absorb a lot in those four days. For example, we had a really good mental coach who we worked with a lot.” They sat together for up to five hours, listened to lectures and did special exercises. A lot of input in a short space of time, but Quapp understood why: “In the season, it will definitely help you sooner or later.”

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Given the goaltending situation at DEG, a strong mental state will be crucial for Quapp. Henrik Haukeland is the clear number one with a long-term contract and the Norwegian is a goalie who would like to play every game. This led to Haukeland’s former backup Hendrik Hane getting significantly less ice time and moving to the Iserlohn Roosters this summer to find more playing opportunities.

No new situation for Quapp

A competitive environment is nothing new for Quapp. In Berlin, he was only number three behind Jake Hildebrand and Jonas Stettmer and gained match practice primarily in the DEL2 with the Lausitzer Füchse. He played 26 regular season games with the Füchse and had a very decent save percentage of around .920. However, he also conceded 67 goals, which corresponds to a goals-against average of 2.63. His teammates Jonas Stettmer and Matthew Galajda did a little better and were therefore favorites in the playoffs, in which Quapp only played once.

It is unlikely to be much easier for Quapp in Düsseldorf, especially since the ambitious farm team Krefeld Pinguine also has a decent goalkeeper in the form of veteran Felix Bick. Much will depend on how the season develops for both teams and what strategy the team’s new coach pursues – former Stanley Cup winner Steven Reinprecht is head coach for the first time in Düsseldorf. Quapp will probably get a lot of shots, since his new team is currently undergoing a rebuild and will probably have to fight against relegation to the DEL2.

At this point, Quapp will have to work hard to get back on track and have a real chance at becoming an NHL goalie. He has the right mindset, however, thanks in part to his hockey roots. His father, Waldemar, born in Kazakhstan, was also a professional goalie, playing primarily in the second-tier leagues of the Soviet Union and Germany, but also spent a full season in the DEL with the Frankfurt Lions in 1994-95.

Quapp doesn’t want to spend much time thinking about the situation. “I have no control over what happens,” he says. “So I just concentrate on myself.” However, he also admits: “You don’t just improve through training, you also need playing time.” He now has to earn this time if he wants to develop further and have a real chance with the Hurricanes. The DEL season starts on September 19th, and Düsseldorf will play its first game the following day. Quapp has to stand out – and not just because of his height.