Established in 1972 eight-time German champion Kölner Haie recently became runner-up of the German DEL after losing a seven-game-final against the ERC Ingolstadt. It was their second straight loss in the final, making coach Uwe Krupp and his experienced team even hungrier for success.

by Dany Engels

Cologne’s “Sharky” is arguably one of the most spectacular mascots of a sports team worldwide. His back flips, splits and break-dance moves on the ice can turn the entire arena into an even more supporting crowd for their favourite team.

The formerly known Kölnarena was renamed in 2008 and became venue of the World Championship in 2010. Additionally the World Championship will return to Cologne in 2017. Lanxess Arena in Cologne-Deutz has a maximum capacity of 18 700 for hockey and is among the biggest multi-functional arenas in Europe. It has been the home of Kölner Haie since 1998 and records the second highest average attendance in European ice hockey. Moreover, the second-longest game worldwide (168:16 between Cologne and Mannheim) was played in the rink which is located right next to Germany’s longest river, the Rhine.

Previously, Haie played their home games at Eisstadion an der Lentstrasse.

Established in 1972 – Legendary in the '80s

Even though Kölner EC “Die Haie” was established in 1972, the club actually had been playing in lower leagues as Kölner EK since 1936. After winning their first German Championship title in 1977, Cologne became legendary in the mid '80s with four more impressive titles within five years (1984, 1986, 1987, 1988).

It was around that time that a strong local rivalry between Kölner Haie and Düsseldorfer EG of neighbouring Düsseldorf was born. Games between the two teams often attracted and still attract sell-out crowds and fairly physical hockey games.

Current head coach Uwe Krupp, who has played a significant role in Cologne’s recent success, played for Haie until 1986 and won two national titles before he moved to the Buffalo Sabres. Krupp is the first German-born player to win the Stanley Cup and famous for scoring the Cup-clinching goal in overtime for Colorado in 1996.

Other players such as goalies Helmut de Raaf and “Peppi” Heiss, Germany’s first NHL player Udo Kiessling, all-time top scorers Miroslav Sikora, Gerd Truntschka and Peter Draisaitl, father of the recently NHL No. 3 drafted Leon Draisaitl, are only a few examples of athletes who turned Cologne into one of the most popular and powerful hockey brands in Germany and Europe.

It has been a while though since Kölner Haie last lifted the German trophy above their heads.

Alex Hicks and Dwayne Norris scored in an exciting final against Adler Mannheim in 2002 and secured Cologne’s eighth German national title and the second DEL title respectively.

After yet another final loss in 2008 the world economy crisis led to the worst season in club history in 2008-09. The club itself only survived with a lot of effort financially and finished the season in second-to-last position. This was the first time since 1980 that Haie missed the playoffs.

Krupp finally rejoined his former club as head coach in 2011 and brought it back to success. After reaching the championship final twice in a row during the last two years it only seems like a matter of time until Krupp wins the German title as a head coach as well. He is not the only one hungry for success as the entire city stands by his side and even football world champion Lukas Podolski is a frequent visitor and big supporter of Kölner Haie.

Experience players with the will to win

The youth academy of Cologne is also considered to be one of the best in Germany. Above mentioned Leon Draisaitl is the most famous evidence at the moment, though Torsten Ankert, Moritz Müller, Philip Gogulla and Marcel Ohmann once played for the youth team of Cologne as well.

Cologne’s lineup appears to be one of the oldest but also experienced in the Champions Hockey League. When talking about experience it is tough not to talk about Mirko Lüdemann, who has played more than 1000 games for his team so far and will turn 41 this upcoming season. With a decade on the German national team and 21 years with Kölner Haie, Lüdemann is the most experienced player on the team and a role model for all his young teammates.

Cologne also singed a trio of experienced North American forwards to support the offensive lines. It’s noticeable that Mike Iggulden (KHL), Jamie Johnson (KHL) and Evan Rankin (AHL) might fit very well together with Canadian players John Tripp, Charlie Stephens and Chris Minard. Coach Krupp though stated in an interview that signing three North Americans was more or less a coincidence.

From a German point of view, signing defeceman Alexander Sulzer from the Buffalo Sabres might be even more interesting as he is yet another German player with a lot of experience. Fittingly, Cologne has also a trio of experienced Swedes who have all played for their national team already and Daniel Tjärnqvist has played 352 NHL games.

Last but not least there is one more last important player missing for Cologne’s recent success – Goaltender Danny aus den Birken. Despite losing the DEL final aus den Birken showed an impressive 1.60 goal-against average and .948 save percentage in 17 playoff games. Even though goalie Sebastian Stefaniszin from Graz joined the team, aus den Birken should still be the team's number-one goalie.

Looking ahead

Cologne is hungry for yet another title – not only the players but also the entire city. It all comes down to how quickly the new players can adapt to Krupp’s lineup. Haie will have only one official pre-season game against Iserlohn before having to face Slovakian champion HC Kosice as their first CHL opponent. The team hit the ice during the last week of July for the first time of the new season, full of confidence about continuing the recent success they've had.

Team facts

2013-14 individual leaders

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