German head coach Toni Soderholm looks at his players during the IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championships Group A match between Denmark and Germany on May 12, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

BERLIN - Germany ice hockey coach Toni Soderholm seeks to permanently establish his team, led by NHL superstar Leon Draisaitl, to world top four finishes at big events.

Germany were surprise ice hockey silver medallists at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics but last reached the semifinals at a world championships in 2010, finishing no better than sixth since then.

It is important that the lads understand that everything is possible. They should always aim for top four placings

Toni Soderholm, Germany ice hockey coach

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Soderholm told the Sportbuzzer portal in an interview published Monday "it is important that the lads understand that everything is possible. They should always aim for top four placings."

With this year's world championships cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Soderholm's next big events with the team are the 2021 world championships and 2022 Olympics.

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Germany's star is the Edmonton Oilers forward Draisaitl, with Soderholm naming him "our best offensive player and among the top three offensive players in the world."