The Frankfurt Lions were a professional men's ice hockey club from Frankfurt, Germany, that played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga from 1994 to 2010. The club's greatest sporting achievement was winning the German championship in the 2003–04 DEL season. The Frankfurt Lions were known for their modern presentation, cosmopolitan character and strong attendance at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt. Their most successful period coincided with Frankfurt's growing importance as an international economic and cultural centre. The club ceased operations in 2010. Its colours were turquoise, white and black.
Contents
History
The hockey team was founded as a section of the renowned sports club Eintracht Frankfurt in 1959. After the section split from the club on March 5, 1991, the hockey team was renamed the Frankfurter ESC "Die Löwen" (meaning The Lions).
When the DEL formed in 1994, the team became known as the Frankfurt Lions. It experienced its greatest success in 2004 when it won the DEL.
Despite its popularity, the club faced increasing financial pressure, partly due to the strong competition for sponsors and public attention from football in Frankfurt. After the Frankfurt Lions were unable to meet the financial requirements for the 2010–11 DEL season, the professional organisation ceased operations in 2010. A separate club, Löwen Frankfurt, subsequently began playing in the lower-tier Regionalliga and continued the tradition of professional ice hockey in the city.
Retired numbers
Trevor Erhardt (#27)
Achievements
The Lions won the DEL championship in 2004.