The 2022-23 season didn't go according to plan for Julian Lutz, who worked through injuries just one season after being drafted 43rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes.
In the end, though, battling through that adversity made him exponentially stronger.
Lutz, who was limited to 24 games last season with EHC Red Bull München in Germany's top hockey league, the DEL, didn't hang his head during the time he missed while injured. Rather, he used it as motivation and a learning experience, and the 19-year-old forward said he's learned a lot about playing pro hockey in a short amount of time.
Regardless of what happens, his prior experience has him ready for everything that comes next.
"I think whatever happens, it happens for a reason," Lutz said. "Everything makes me stronger. Maybe I'm through all the injuries now, but if not, I learned how to handle them, so it's good. I had to go through it, and I feel stronger than ever."
Lutz notched eight points in those aforementioned 24 games, and appeared in five playoff contests with EHC Red Bull, who ultimately won the 2023 title. He added a goal and an assist in four games at the Champions Hockey League tournament, which features some of Europe's top teams, and also represented Germany at the 2023 World Junior Championship, where he recorded two assists in five games.
He capped that all off by participating in the Coyotes' development camp last month, where he reunited with his friend, teammate, and fellow prospect Maksymilian Szuber at the weeklong camp in Scottsdale. Fellow Germans Joshua Samanski (F) and Tobias Ancicka (G) were invitees to the camp, and a welcome set of friendly faces during what can sometimes become an overwhelming week.
Lutz arrived early before camp - his second development camp with the team - and said the experience was much less of a whirlwind this time around, compared to last season when it was just days after the 2022 NHL Draft.
He scored a goal in the team's annual Black and White scrimmage on July 7.
"It's such an unbelievable organization, and the guys are really great here," Lutz said. "I made some friends last year, and it's nice to see them again. There's some good competition on the ice."
That competition is something that Lutz said motivates him to become a more complete player, and the winger said he's currently focused on his stick handling and playmaking ability. Becoming more of a creator on offense is something he thinks will take his game to the next level, and competing against the talent in Germany's top hockey league certainly helps accelerate that.
He'll never lose sight of his end-goal, playing in the NHL, but continuing his forward momentum is paramount.
"I want to become a guy who handles the puck more, who has the puck during the game, and who creates offense," Lutz said. "I play with a lot of passion, I have fun, and I have a strong drive in the game."
As he continues his career, Lutz said the mental toughness he has developed is something that can't be taught - it's the experience that has helped mold the type of player he's becoming.
He'll continue to grow with his fellow Coyotes prospects and feels his time playing against the best possible competition in Germany will continue to set him up for success down the road.
"I learned so much playing pro hockey," Lutz said. "Just mentally, I got so much stronger, and I got to know my body way better, and I'm just ready to take a new step in the right direction."
