ZSC Lions
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| ZSC Lions | |
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| Founded | 1930 |
| Home ice | Hallenstadion |
| Based in | Zürich, Switzerland |
| League | Nationalliga A |
| Head coach | Harold Kreis |
| General manager | Müller Werner |
The Zürcher Sports Club Lions are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the Nationalliga A.
- Founded: 1930
- Home arena: Hallenstadion (capacity 11,500)
- Former home arenas: Dolder-Kunsteisbahn (1930-1950)
- Swiss Championships won: 5 (1936, 1949, 1961, 2000, 2001)
- Continental Cups won: 2 (2001, 2002)
- Spengler Cups won: 2 (1945, 1946)
[edit] History
Locally nicknamed "Z", the team was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of the two local teams Zürcher Schlittschuh Club (ZSC translates to Zürich Skating Club) and Grasshoppers Club (GC). ZSC played in the Nationalliga A, was clearly the fan favourite of the city but in constant financial trouble. Grasshoppers, meanwhile, was playing in the Nationalliga B, failed to qualify for the Nationalliga A for several years in a row and had a small fan base, but was backed by a very wealthy man.
ZSC was the first Swiss team to play in an indoor arena (Hallenstadion). They won the Swiss championship in the years 1936, 1949 and 1961 and the prestigious Spengler Cup in 1944 and 1945. After the merger, the ZSC Lions won the Swiss Championship in 2000 and 2001 and the IIHF Continental Cup in 2001 and 2002.
