BIOGRAPHY
Tim Stutzle was born January 15, 2002, in Viersen, Germany. He is a forward in the NHL.
Stützle played junior hockey for the Krefelder EV 1981. He was the top scorer on his team for the 2015–16 season. In the 2017–18 season, Stützle transferred to Jungadler Mannheim, scoring 18 goals and 29 assists.
Despite originally committing to play hockey at the University of New Hampshire, and being selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2019 CHL Import Draft, Stützle opted to remain in Germany, and signed a three-year contract with Adler Mannheim in June 2019. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 in the Champions Hockey League opening round on August 30, 2019 against the Vienna Capitals.
On October 6, 2020, Stützle was selected third overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. The selection was made using a pick which they had previously acquired in a 2018 trade with the San Jose Sharks that sent defenceman Erik Karlsson to San Jose. The pick was announced by the Jeopardy! host and former Ottawa resident Alex Trebek, who revealed the selection with a mock Jeopardy! question and answer done in the style of the show. On October 13, 2020, while continuing to train in Germany with Mannheim in preparation for the upcoming 2020–21 season, Stützle suffered a broken hand, requiring surgery with a 6–8 week recovery period.
On December 27, 2020, Stützle signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. He scored his first NHL goal on 16 January 2021 against Jack Campbell in a 3–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On March 2, 2021, Stützle was announced as the National Hockey League's Rookie of the Month for February of that year, after accumulating 10 points in 14 games.
On May 8, 2021, Stützle scored his first National Hockey League hat-trick, against the Winnipeg Jets.
Stützle switched from winger to centre during his second NHL season. He had previously played the position before being drafted and his game significantly improved after the move. Stützle fought Edmonton Oilers defenceman William Lagesson in his first NHL fight on 31 January 31, 2022; Stützle later scored that game's overtime winning goal.
On September 7, 2022, Stützle signed an eight-year, $66.8 million contract extension with the Senators. It was the largest contract in Senators' franchise history, surpassing Thomas Chabot's $64 million contract signed in 2019.
