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German ice hockey star Mueller dies of brain tumor

May 22, 2009

Hall of Fame hockey goalie Robert Mueller has lost his battle with a brain tumor.

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Robert Mueller
Goaltender Robert Mueller's battle with a brain tumor has come to an endImage: picture alliance/dpa

After a long battle with a brain cancer, German goaltender Robert Mueller passed away on Thursday. His club, the Cologne Sharks, reported his death.

Mueller passed away in Rosenheim, Bavaria, in southern Germany at the age of 28. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

"We are profoundly affected and filled with sorrow. Robert was a great man and a strong personality," said CEO Thomas Eichin in an announcement posted on the Cologne Sharks website. "He impressed us deeply and served as a wonderful role model."

Mueller was born June 25, 1980, in Rosenheim, and played for the national team 127 times. He also played on two Olympic teams for Germany and in eight world championships.

He won the German championship twice, once with the Mannheim Eagles and once with the Krefeld Penguins. Mueller was a 2001 draft pick for the Washington Capitals of the US National Hockey League (NHL), but he never played with them.

He was originally diagnosed with the brain tumor in 2006 and underwent treatment for it.

In his honor, the Cologne Sharks have retired his jersey, number 80.

av/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Nancy Isenson