EHC Biel
| EHC Biel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Biel, Switzerland |
| League | National League A |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Home arena | Tissot Arena |
| Colors | |
| General manager |
 Daniel Villard |
| Head coach |
 Mike McNamara
|
| Captain |
Mathieu Tschantré
|
| Website | www.ehcb.ch |
| Franchise history | |
| 1939–47 | EHC Biel/Bienne |
| 1947–48 | EHC Tornado Biel |
| 1948–present | EHC Biel |
EHC Biel is a professional ice hockey club based in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland and plays in the National League A. 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.
EHC Biel played in lower Swiss ice hockey leagues until they got promoted in the second-tier National League B in 1960. In 1975 EHC Biel won the National League B-title and got promoted in the highest Swiss league, the National League A. During the 20 years between 1975 and 1995 the club won three national championships in 1978, 1981 and 1983 under three different coaches (František Vanek, Ed Reigle, Kent Ruhnke). After the relegation in 1995 EHC Biel had to wait 13 years until their return in NLA. After three consecutive championship victories in the second-tier National League B, EHC Biel was reinstated into the NLA, 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.
NHL players Tyler Seguin and Patrick Kane joined Biel during the 2012–13 NHL lockout. Goalkeeper Reto Berra and winger Nikolaj Ehlers played both for Biel.
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Wikipedia