EHC Biel explained

Current:2022–23 NL season
Text Color:
  1. 000000
Bg Color:background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#D20910 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFCD01 5px solid;
Team:EHC Biel
Logosize:220px
City:Biel, Switzerland
League:National League
Founded:1939
Arena:Tissot Arena
Gm:Ueli Schwarz
Coach:Petri Matikainen
Captain:Gaëtan Haas
Name1:EHC Biel/Bienne
Dates1:1939–47
Name2:EHC Tornado Biel
Dates2:1947–48
Name3:EHC Biel
Dates3:1948–present
Website:www.ehcb.ch

EHC Biel-Bienne is a professional ice hockey club based in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland and plays in the National League (NL). Since the city of Biel is completely bilingual, alongside the German name EHC Biel (Abbr: EHCB) the team also has a French name, HC Bienne (Abbr: HCB). The team plays its home games in the 6,521-seat Tissot Arena.

History

EHC Biel played in lower Swiss ice hockey leagues until they got promoted in the second-tier Swiss League in 1960. In 1975 EHC Biel won the Swiss League-title and got promoted to the first level, the National League. During the 20 years between 1975 and 1995 the club won three national championships in 1978, 1981 and 1983 under three coaches (František Vanek, Ed Reigle, Kent Ruhnke). After the relegation in 1995 EHC Biel had to wait 13 years until their return to the NL. After three consecutive championship victories in the second-tier Swiss League, EHC Biel was reinstated into the NL, winning the promotion/relegation best of 7 series against EHC Basel 4-0 in 2008.

A strong local rivalry exists with the SCL Tigers, SC Bern, EHC Olten, and HC Ajoie. Games between these teams often attract sell-out crowds.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Biel were strengthen by the acquisitions of NHL All-Stars Tyler Seguin and Patrick Kane. They were joined by future NHL players, goalkeeper Reto Berra and winger Nikolaj Ehlers.

Honors

Champions

Players

Current roster

Updated 5 July 2024.[1]

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EHC Biel team roster . www.ehcb.ch . de . 2024-07-05.