Kölner Haie
German ice hockey club with second-highest European attendance.
The Kölner Haie (Cologne Sharks) are a professional ice hockey team from Cologne, Germany, competing in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), which they helped found. Their home arena is the Lanxess Arena in the Deutz district, opened in 1998. With a capacity of 18,600, it is one of Europe’s largest multi-purpose venues. The Sharks draw the second-highest average attendance in European ice hockey, trailing only SC Bern in Switzerland. They previously played at the Eisstadion an der Lentstraße. A fierce local rivalry exists with Düsseldorfer EG from neighboring Düsseldorf, and matches between the two regularly sell out.
The club traces its origins to the summer of 1972, when the hockey department of Kölner EK (KEK)—which had supported lower-level hockey in Cologne since 1936—split off to gain independence and better financial options. On 10 August 1972, the new Kölner Eishockey Club (KEC) was formed, with Peter Rentergent as president. Though still linked to KEK, the team entered the second-division Oberliga. The name "Kölner EC" was initially proposed but rejected due to its similarity to Kölner EK. The nickname "Sharks" was added to the logo, designed by goaltender and artist Dieter Horký, and later became the official club name in 1995.
The Sharks found immediate success in their first season, 1972–73. Led by players like Detlef Langemann, Wilhelm Hospelt, and player-manager Günter Peter, and coached by Ondrej Bendik, they scored 251 goals in 30 games to win the Oberliga title and earn promotion to the top-tier Eishockey-Bundesliga. Their debut Bundesliga season in 1973–74 was troubled: captain Sigbert Stotz retired due to injury, boardroom conflicts arose, and manager Peter fled the city amid financial difficulties. The team finished 8th out of 10. After firing coach Jiri Hanzl and rehiring Bendík, the 1974–75 season saw improvement, with a 7th-place finish and a near-.500 record. The 1975–76 season brought more turmoil: president Rentergent resigned over mismanagement of amateur players, and Bendík was dismissed mid-season due to poor performance and declining attendance, leaving the club in debt.
Despite financial woes, the Sharks made a major splash by signing Erich Kühnhackl from EV Landshut for a record transfer fee of over 600,000 DM.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Kölner Haie
- Text Colour
- #000000
- Nickname
- Sharks
- Founded
- 1972
- City
- Cologne, Germany
- Arena
- Lanxess Arena
- Capacity
- 18,600
- League
- Deutsche Eishockey Liga
- Owner
- Frank Gotthardt
- Gm
- Philipp Walter
- Coach
- Kari Jalonen
- Captain
- Moritz Müller
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Kölner Haie originated from the hockey department of the Kölner EK (KEK), which had operated since 1936. On 10 August 1972, the department separated to form the independent Kölner Eishockey Club (KEC), with Peter Rentergent as president. The team began play in the second division (Oberliga) and won the title in their first season, 1972-73, scoring 251 goals in 30 games. They gained promotion to the top league, the Eishockey-Bundesliga, for the 1973-74 season. The club's shark logo was sketched by artist and team goaltender Dieter Horký; the shark became part of the club name in 1995.
The team won its first championship in March 1977, beating Eisbären Berlin, Düsseldorfer EG, and Krefeld Pinguine. A second championship followed soon after. Between 1983 and 1988, under coaches Jozef Golonka and Hardy Nilsson, the Sharks won four championships in five years, including three consecutive titles from 1985-86 to 1987-88. During that streak, they set a record of 20 consecutive playoff wins. The 1985-86 season was marked by tragedy when 19-year-old prospect Ralph Philipp died in a car accident; his jersey number 8 was retired.
A strong local rivalry exists with Düsseldorfer EG of neighboring Düsseldorf, and games between the two teams often sell out. The club faced financial difficulties early on, including debts over two million DM in the late 1970s, and a passport forgery scandal in 1980-81 involving Canadian and American players.
Reader's Guide
The Kölner Haie are a founding member of the DEL and have consistently drawn large crowds, with the second highest average attendance in European ice hockey. Their home arena, the Lanxess Arena, is among Europe's largest multi-functional venues. The club's history includes early financial struggles, a record transfer fee for Erich Kühnhackl (over 600,000 DM), and a period of dominance with four championships in five years during the 1980s. The team's identity is strongly tied to its shark logo, created by goaltender Dieter Horký, which became official in 1995. The rivalry with Düsseldorfer EG is a notable feature of the club's context. The club also experienced a passport forgery scandal in 1980-81 and a mass brawl in 1981 against VfL Bad Nauheim that resulted in 166 penalty minutes. The retirement of Ralph Philipp's number 8 after his death in a car accident underscores the club's community ties.
Did You Know?
- The Kölner Haie were founded on 10 August 1972 as the Kölner Eishockey Club (KEC).
- The team's shark logo was sketched by goaltender Dieter Horký.
- The club won four German championships between 1983 and 1988, including three in a row from 1985-86 to 1987-88.
- The Lanxess Arena, opened in 1998, seats 18,600 spectators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Kölner Haie?
The Kölner Haie, commonly called the Cologne Sharks, are a professional ice hockey club based in Cologne, Germany, founded on 10 August 1972 under the original name Kölner Eishockey Club (KEC). They have grown into one of the most recognizable and well-attended clubs in German hockey.
What league do the Kölner Haie compete in?
The Sharks play in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Germany's top professional ice hockey league, which they helped establish as a founding member. They have remained a central presence in the DEL throughout its history.
Where do the Kölner Haie play their home games?
Since 1998 the team has called the Lanxess Arena in Cologne's Deutz district their home venue, a multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 18,600. The Sharks consistently attract the second-largest average crowds in European ice hockey, trailing only SC Bern in Switzerland.
Who is the Kölner Haie's biggest rival?
The most intense rivalry in German hockey pits the Sharks against Düsseldorfer EG, the professional club from neighboring Düsseldorf. Their head-to-head matchups are widely regarded as the fiercest derby in the DEL and regularly draw packed houses.
When did the Kölner Haie win their first German championship?
The Sharks lifted their first national title in March 1977, just five years after the club was founded. That early championship helped establish the franchise as a competitive force in German ice hockey.
More in KHL and European Hockey Clubs, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced