Terminally-ill goaltender takes to the ice in Germany

by James Mirtle on Nov 17, 2008 12:12 PM CST Comment 5 comments

German international netminder Robert Mueller, who revealed last week that his brain cancer is incurable, returned to the ice to make a substitute appearance for the Cologne Sharks on Sunday.

"I'm unbelievably thankful that the coach did this. It just shows how human he is," Mueller said on the German Ice Hockey League team's website (www.haie.de) after his introduction seven minutes from time brought a standing ovation from the crowd.

— Reuters

Incredible story. I remember watching Mueller play for Germany in the 2006 Olympics and other international tournaments, and he was often one of those surprise success stories in events filled with NHL stars.

He was drafted by the Capitals in the ninth round of the 2001 draft, when he was already almost 21 years old, but has never played a game outside of the German league.

The rest of the heart-breaking story is here. Mueller's a father of two young children and hasn't long to live.

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Wow. I remember this guy as being a decent goaltending prospect that ended up going back to Europe, and like you said, representing Germany internationally. Very sad to hear about his brain cancer, but a very classy gesture by his team.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Nov 17, 2008 12:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That’s really awesome, despite the obvious sad news.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Nov 17, 2008 12:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

God be with him.

by Donny Rivette on Nov 17, 2008 1:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Living in Cologne, I can say that Robert instantly became a fan favorite when he came here in December 2007. He is a great guy, very modest and likeable and one can think about, why something this terrible have to happen to someone like him who also have two little kids.
The game against Duisburg mentioned at the bottom of the UniversalSports-article actually was last Friday. Both the Duisburg and of course the Cologne fans gave Robert a very warm welcome. Many of them lifted signs with his No 80.
Yesterday Cologne played against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers and Müller played the last 8 minutes in a 5-1 win.

by MacV on Nov 17, 2008 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Stuff like this resets perspective for a while...

Two things come to mind reading this story..first, a close colleague of ours died this year from glioblastoma. It’s aggressive alright. My best wishes go to Robert and his family. Second, I just finished reading “Roger’s World” and was particularly moved by how the Ottawa Senators treated him – it was clearly very important to him. When professional teams can demonstrate the best side of humanity, it can encourage us all to be a bit better too.

by hockeycountry on Nov 17, 2008 4:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs