Esbjerg Energy | |
---|---|
2016–17 Esbjerg Energy season | |
City | Esbjerg, Denmark |
League | Metal Ligaen |
Founded | 2005 |
Home arena |
Granly Hockey Arena (Capacity: 4,200) |
Colors | |
Owner(s) | Christian Rølmer Christensen |
General manager | Peder Krogsgaard |
Head coach | Mark Pederson |
Captain | Brock Nixon |
Website | www.esbjergenergy.dk |
Franchise history | |
1964–2004 | Esbjerg IK |
2005–2013 | Esbjerg fB Ishockey |
2013–present | Esbjerg Energy |
Championships | |
Playoff championships | 7 (2016–17, 2015–16, 2003–04, 1995–96, 1992–93, 1987–88, 1968–69) |
The Esbjerg Energy is a Danish professional ice hockey team based in Esbjerg, Denmark, playing in the Metal Ligaen, the top tier of Danish ice hockey. The club was founded in 2005 and play their home games in the Granly Hockey Arena which has a capacity of 4,200 spectators.
Until 2004 the team played under the name of E.I.K. (Esbjerg Ishockey Klub), but due to financial instability at the club, the professional license was transferred to Esbjerg fB. In early 2013 after spending eight seasons under the umbrella Esbjerg fB; the football club sold EfB Ishockey to businessman Christian Rølmer Christensen.
Season: 2013–2014
In the club's first season under new ownership, the club appointed Mark Pederson as the new head coach. The Canadian, a former NHL player and successful head coach in numerous ice hockey leagues, took over as the club's new coach. Out of the club's eight foreigners of the previous season, only one returned to the club, with the rest leaving to join new clubs. Among the foreigners who left to join new clubs, 3 out of the 8 were top 5 on the team, in points the previous season.
In Pederson's first season as the club's head coach, he led the team to the playoffs, though it was spoiled by a match fixing scandal. Three of the club's players including, Kirill Starkov, Tyler Mosienko and Dennis Jensen were suspended and fined after admitting to betting on their own team and match-fixing. After losing two key first liners due to suspension; Esbjerg was eliminated in the quarterfinal by local rivals SønderjyskE Ishockey.
Season: 2014–2015
In his second season as head coach, Pedersen added key players Andrew Clark, Mark Derlago and Scott Howe to the club, who together combined for 189 points over 101 games (76 goals and 113 assists). Pedersen managed to lead the club to the finals as they swept Odense, in the quarterfinals, and defeated Herning 4–2 in the semifinals on their way to the finals. Though the club was once again eliminated by SønderjyskE who defended their title for the third straight year.