The DEL is a 15-team professional league in Germany.

"We wish Cory the best of luck with Kassel. He is a wonderful friend and a great person," said Hamline head coach Scott Bell. "The Hamline hockey program was lucky to have Cory as part of our family for the past two years."

Laylin was a four-year letter-winner as a forward with the University of Minnesota Gophers. He played 170 games while scoring 107 points (58 goals, 49 assists) in his career as a Gopher. During the 1991-92 season, Laylin won the Gophers’ Unsung Hero Award for his play.

In 1988, Laylin was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He then went on to play 16 years of professional hockey in Europe in six different countries, making the move to defenseman and playing his entire professional career at that position.

Two of those seasons (2001-03) were spent in the DEL as a player.