Lyon
- Alias
- Lhc Les Lions
- Leagues Played
- France Ligue Magnus 197 Coupe De France 15 Club Friendlies (Regulation Only) 12 Continental Cup 3
- Links
- Les Lions Wikipedia
Lyon
v
Wikipedia - LHC Les Lions
Lyon Hockey Club Les Lions (LHC The Lions) was the ice hockey team of Lyon, France. The team currently competes in The French Ligue Magnus on 13 January 2014 it was announced they will have a partnership with the Tampa Bay Lighting and Syracuse Crunch. In 2019, the professional team was dissolved after bankruptcy.
History
1898–1953: Ice Hockey in Lyon
Ice hockey was played in Lyon as early as 1898 on a rink located on the Boulevard des Belges where today the Guimet Museum stands. The Sporting Club de Lyon (Lyon Sporting Club) won the national Coupe Magnus title in 1905 and 1908 but the rink was converted to a museum in 1909 and Lyon was without a rink and a team for the next 44 years.
1953–1997: The CPL Era
In 1953 the Club des Patineurs Lyonnais (Skating Club of Lyon or CPL) was founded and in 1956 the Lyon team won France's Division 1 ice hockey championship. In 1963 CPL built the Patinoire Charlemagne that still today serves as the home of Lyon ice sports. In their new home CPL won France's Division 2 ice hockey championship in both 1972 and 1989. Christophe Geoffroy's management forces the CPL to the liquidation in 1997
1997-Pres.: Lyon Hockey Club
Following the collapse of CPL local businessman Christophe Geoffroy founded Hockey sur glace lyonnais Elite (Lyon Elite Ice Hockey). Teamed with the Lyon Hockey Club Association, an association charged with developing junior ice hockey, the Lyon Hockey Club was born. The new team experienced quick success and twice finished third in France's Ligue Magnus in 1997 and 1998. LHC qualified for Europe's Continental Cup in 1999 and reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated.
By 2000 LHC had been relegated to France's Division 3 championship but quickly began to rise through national ranks again. In the 2001 season Lyon reached and won the Division 2 championship and earned a place in Division 1 for season 2002. A poor season in 2002 saw the team return to the second division once again and, despite reaching the final in 2007, LHC remains a Division 2 team in 2008.
The team's colors are red and white, and they play their home games at the Patinoire Charlemagne, a state-of-the-art arena located in the heart of Lyon. The team has a reputation for playing fast-paced, exciting hockey, and their games are always a thrilling experience for fans.
Lyon has a talented roster of players from around the world, including both seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars. The team is known for their strong work ethic, teamwork, and dedication to the sport, making them a formidable opponent on the ice.
Overall, the Lyon ice hockey team is a powerhouse in the French ice hockey league, and their exciting style of play and passionate fan base make them a must-watch team for any hockey enthusiast.