Evan Kaufmann

Evan Kaufmann (born October 31, 1984) is a German-American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Playing career
Kaufmann, who is Jewish, was born in Plymouth, Minnesota and graduated from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School at Plymouth in 2004. His great-grandparents were murdered during the Holocaust. At the University of Minnesota, Kaufmann played on the Golden Gophers hockey team and studied accounting at the Carlson School of Management. Kaufmann was a Western Collegiate Hockey Association scholar-athlete pick all four years at Minnesota.

Kaufmann moved to Germany in 2008 and received German citizenship in order to play for the national team, DEG Metro Stars of Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He is among the top scorers in the league. Kaufmann admits that his teammates are very curious about him being Jewish and often ask him questions. Kaufmann told the UK's Daily Mail, "I didn't have to think hard about it. It is a great honour but it will also be a very emotional moment for me when I hear the national anthem played."

On February 16, 2012, Kaufmann agreed to leave DEG at seasons end and sign a two-year contract with fellow DEL club, Nürnberg Ice Tigers.