Personnel | The Schalke Sharks are back

The youth of the Schalke Haie Photo: IMAGO/Michael Korte One of the biggest stars in world ice hockey once laced up his skates in the Emscher-Lippe-Halle in Gelsenkirchen. Jaromir Jagr, Stanley Cup winner and Olympic champion, was a Schalke shark for one evening in January 1995. In the North American professional league NHL there was a dispute over salaries between athletes and clubs and the players were locked out. Many hockey stars then moved to Europe for guest appearances. Jagr played for his hometown club in Kladno, Czech Republic, in Italy and also played a game for Schalke Haie.

The connection between the superstar and the Ruhrpottklub, which played in the second German league, came about through Peter Fiala, player-coach of the Haie and a long-time friend of Jagr. In the game against the neighboring club from Herne, Jagr scored one goal and added ten more goals. A successful evening, for which, according to local legend, the superstar asked for nothing more than a schnitzel with fries and mayonnaise.

The episode is still the highlight of Gelsenkirchen ice hockey history to this day, otherwise it is rather changeable. Ice hockey has been played in the Emscher-Lippe-Halle since the early 1980s. Often fourth class, sometimes third class and in very good years even in the second division. As in so many German ice hockey locations, the interplay between the leagues was accompanied by several bankruptcies. The sharks were once the "ESV", then the "EC Gelsenkirchen" and since 2000 it has been an "EHC" - only the animal nickname has remained constant.

The Schalke Haie last had a senior team in the 2007/2008 season. After that, the Sharks were only able to maintain youth and hobby teams. Things got even worse in 2020, the Emscher-Lippe-Halle was converted into a Corona test center, and refugees have been accommodated in the hall since 2022. The young ice hockey players had to switch to halls in surrounding cities.

Now the ice rink is making a comeback. A private operator, a lot of voluntary commitment and a grant from the city make it possible. There has been ice again in Gelsenkirchen since September and last weekend a Haie women's team played for the first time. This Saturday is the first competitive game for a Schalke senior team in 18 years. In the sixth-tier district league, the Herford Ice Dragons 1b are visiting Gelsenkirchen.

However, how long the comeback will last is uncertain. The lease for the hall is valid for two years, after which it could have to make way for a new comprehensive school. The sharks would then be left high and dry again.

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