Player Spotlight: Max "Toneee9" Tonitz

Hey NHLGamers,

we are back with another player spotlight! We believe there are many talented and skilled players in the German speaking community that are currently quite unknown to the bigger audience. For this edition of the Player Spotlight, we will get to know more about Max "@Toneee9" Tonitz who recently joined ZSC Esports for NHL 21.

Let's get right into the interview with Max:

1. What was your first experience with the EASHL mode in NHL?

In 2011 I got a stable internet connection and started playing EASHL drop-ins in NHL 11. After some games I was invited to play for the ICY DEMONS by @ali-kn (see ali-kn's player profile).

2. What’s the best part of playing NHL 21 for the Swiss club ZSC Lions?

Everybody is playing for the team and while it's very professional we still have fun while playing.

3. What do you remember the most from your NHL career?

The EHL semifinals in NHL 14 with the Finnish team EA Riivaa, there still might be some highlight videos on YouTube.

4. What is your favourite food?

Spaghetti Bolognese

5. If you would be a manager for a day and had to pick one defender, one forward and a goalie to build a new ECL Elite (no DACH players) team and a new GCL team - which players would you choose? You can only choose one from your own team.

ECL:
G - Hannes "@Hansulinho" Kettunen - for me the best goalie in the community (see Hansulinho's player profile)
D - Joel "@jtorro-_-" Tourunen - he is the most complete defender I've ever seen. He has no weakness. (see jtorro-_-'s player profile)
F - Erik "@Eki" Tammenpää (ENCEKI) - he is the best NHL player of the whole community (see ENCEKI's player profile)

GCL:
G - Sandro "@I-THE_EAGLE-I" Wüller - If Sandro would decide to play mainly goalie, he would be the best german speaking goalie (see I-THE_EAGLE-I's player profile)
D - Niklas "@xXPsykoSkillsXx" Schmitz - The most dangerous defender in the DACH community, hockey IQ over 1000 (see xXPsykoSkillsXx' player profile)
F - Stefan @Stefan_397 Hämmerle - I only played against him and he gives me a headache every time doing so (see Stefan_397's player profile)

6. Do you play or have you played hockey?

I have played hockey since I was 4 years old.

7. What would you rather be, an average player in the real-life Swiss hockey league or the world’s best EA Sports NHL-player in both 1v1 and 6v6?

The best EA NHL player.

8. What’s your best hockey memory?

We finished on rank 14 out of 128 teams in Kitzbühel in a one week U14 tournament in France.

9. What do you like to do in your spare time besides playing NHL?

In my spare time I engage myself a lot with hockey and sport in general, if my job leaves me with some free time.

Click here for full player profile | Artwork: Chris @RyanDesigns Ryan

10. Pineapple or no pineapple on pizza?

Without pineapple - that's very clear. (ADMIN NOTE: WARNING! 🍍)

11. If you would have to spend one day playing NHL and had to listen to one song only, for the entire day, what song would you pick?

Rise Against - Prayer of the Refugee

12. How did you come up with your PSN ID?

My nickname in hockey is Tone, which refers to my family name. My jersey number was always number 9.

13. Who’s the best player in ECL/GCL according to you?

ECL: Erik "@Eki" Tammenpää
GCL: Simon "@PlaymakerSJ" Junker (see PlaymakerSJ's player profile)

14. What kind of holiday is your favorite and why?

I like to travel to the sea. Spain and Greece are my favourite spots as they have a very nice culture.

15. High-scoring game or OT Thriller?

As I lost pretty much every important game in the ECL which went to OT, I'm more into a high scoring game.

16. Do you have any rituals before the league games?

5 minutes of 1vs1 against a bot.

17. What was your motive behind the transfer to Zürich and what do you expect?

I wanted to take the next step and thought that this was the right time. I expect to develop myself as a player and get used to the higher level and can bring my strengths into the team

18. What are your goals for ECL 11 and GCL 7?

ECL: I want to reach the second round of the playoffs.
GCL: To kick the Phantoms (who are now known as Team LEISURE) from their throne.

We would like to thank Max for his time and hope you enjoyed the article. We would be happy about your wishes who should be featured for the next article - let us know in the comments!