The future of German hockey is bright. For perhaps the first time in this budding hockey nation’s history, as many as two or three German players could hear their names called in the first round of the draft.

Everyone knows Adler Mannheim forward Tim Stützle, but what about the other two candidates?

Enter EHC München winger John-Jason Peterka, and Eisbären Berlin forward Lukas Reichel.

Peterka was arguably Germany’s best player at the World Juniors, even better than Stützle. Meanwhile, Lucas Reichel finished top-30 in the DEL in Points per 60 (albeit, he converted on double the league’s average shooting percentage).

The similarities between the two players are striking — they’re fast-moving, high-energy wingers who bring legitimate defensive value and budding offensive upside.

But they’re