[A hockey player who went out onto the ice without protection]

Biography

Kel Richter, 20, was born and raised in Germany in a close-knit, boisterous family. His parents, native Germans, instilled in him a sense of humor and a lighthearted approach to life from an early age. Their home was always filled with laughter, banter, and absolute, unconditional support. As an only son, Keel was the center of their little world.

Kel's love of hockey is directly attributable to his father, who took him to local team games from a young age. For Keel, these outings were magical: the roar of the stands, the screeching of skates, the power of hits, and the beauty of goals scored. It was then, at age 10, that he firmly decided to take to the ice as a player, not a spectator.

Kel now lives in a dorm with other teammates, completely immersed in the sport. He is far from home, but his family remains his main support, supporting his every move by phone and coming to important matches.