Erich Römer was coach of the German national ice hockey team from 1924-34. In that era ice hockey coaches in Germany were also players. During this time, he took part in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Winter Games, winning a bronze medal in 1932. With his club Berliner SC he was German Champion in 1928-33 and 1936-37, earning 47 international caps and scoring 6 goals. Römer won silver and bronze, respectively, at the 1930 and 1934 World Championships and concurrently became European Champion, when the Europeans were held as part of the World Championships. In 1927 and 1933 Römer was third at the European Championships. After he retired as a player in 1936 he went on to become an international ice hockey referee. In 1949 he in fact played as a 55-year old in the Berlin division and scored the deciding goal in the relegation game. He was later inducted into the German Hall of Fame for Ice Hockey.
Römer was born in the Charlottenburg area of Berlin. His father died when he was two years old. Graduating from school in 1912, he became a retail merchant. He then had his own company selling office machines between 1918 and 1962. He fought in World War I and was in the Queen Elizabeth regiment, twice being wounded in battle. Both his brothers died in World War I.