Klaus Hirche

Klaus Hirche played for SG Dynamo Weißwasser as a goalkeeper until 1971, helping them win East German national titles from 1958-65, and 1969-71. He was one of the first European goalies to play with a mask. In total Hirche earned 118 international caps and became known as the “black mask”. After his active career he started coaching, also with Weißwasser, until reunification. For two years he served as East German national coach. Hirche was inducted into the German Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.

In 1968 the only Olympic match between the two Germanys took place at Grenoble. The match was won by West Germany 4-2 in the final round in 17th February, resulting in a seventh place finish for West Germany and eighth for East Germany. As a result, in 1970 the East German government decided not to give further state support to ice hockey.