Mechelen Golden Sharks

Mechelen Golden Sharks are a Belgian professional ice hockey team that plays in the BeNe League, the top tier of the sport in Belgium and the Netherlands. The team is based in Mechelen and play their home games at the Ice Skating Center Mechelen.

Mechelen Golden Sharks
CityMechelen, Belgium
LeagueBeNe League 2018-present
Belgian 2nd Division 2016-2018
Founded2016
Home arenaIce Skating Center Mechelen
(capacity: 1800[1])
ColoursGrey, gold, black, white, red
         
General managerLaurens Luykx
Head coachDanny Gyesbreghs
AffiliateFuture Golden Sharks
WebsiteMechelen Golden Sharks

History

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The Mechelen Golden Sharks began to play in 2016, initially in the Belgian 2nd division.[2] There, they dominated the competition in their debut season, winning all but two of their games, ultimately finishing in the 1st place. The following season they returned, and were even more dominant, winning every game.[2] Subsequently, they moved to the BeNe League. In their first season in the BeNe League the team signed Lithuanian international and former Nijmegen Devil Aivaras Bendžius, however, they struggled against the tougher competition, finishing 10th out of 12 teams. They would improve in their 2nd season in the league, finishing 8th and qualifying for the play-offs, which were ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4]

The Golden Sharks are the senior side representing the ColdPlay Sharks team. Meanwhile, a feeder team, the Future Golden Sharks plays in the Belgian 1st Division.[5]

Roster

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Updated February 4, 2021.[6]

Goaltenders
Number Player Catches Acquired Place of Birth
1   Brent Vandenbergh - 2019 -
55  /  Olivier Bertrand L 2018 Hull, Canada
19   Mike Jansen L 2020 -
94   Mike Gysbrechts L 2017 Antwerp, Belgium
Defencemen
Number Player Shoots Acquired Place of Birth
6   Vadim Gyesbreghs L 2020 Wilrijk, Belgium
9   Jakob Huyghe R 2016 -
23   Elan Verryt - 2020 -
47   Kim Miettinen L 2019 Tuusula, Finland
81   Gijs De Schepper R 2020 Nieuwenrode, Belgium
14   Toon De Schepper R 2020 Nieuwenrode, Belgium
81   Rafael Salmi L 2019 -
29   Jens Theunis L 2020 -
65   Arne van Espen L 2019 -
81   Din Alen Filipović R 2019 -
Forwards
Number Player Shoots Position Acquired Place of Birth
4   Elia Urlings - F 2019 Breda, Netherlands
12   Ben van den Bogaert L F 2019 -
13   Peik Walden - F 2020 -
18   Jano Vanderhulst - F 2017 -
20   Marek Ziarny L F 2017 -
24   Kevin de Winter L F 2019 Antwerp, Belgium
28   Kenneth Pittoors L F 2019 -
61  /  Adrian Koscher Ganslandt R F 2019 -
13  /  Gabriel Koscher Ganslandt L F 2019 -
91   Stef Vermeulen L F 2019 -
10   Arvo Lahti - F 2019 -
15   Axel Kila L F 2020 -
23   Jordan Kelsall R F 2020 Nottingham, England
25   Mick Op de Beeck L LW 2018 -
31   Stefaan Swennen L F 2016 Wilrijk, Belgium
89   Timo Dewin L LW 2018 -

Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season League GP W L T OTW OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2016-17 Belgian 2nd Division 18 14 2 2 0 46 156 46 1st -
2017-18 Belgian 2nd Division 18 18 0 0 0 54 253 45 1st -
2018-19 BeNe League 22 4 18 0 0 12 63 165 10th Did not qualify.
2019-20 BeNe League 20 9 11 0 0 29 99 95 8th Playoffs cancelled

Team records

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Career

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These are the top five scorers in Golden Sharks history.[2]

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Pos GP G A Pts
Martin Váchal F 27 113 85 198
Marek Ziarny F 46 57 76 133
Olivier Roland F 22 44 70 114
Jesse Raekelboom F 13 37 66 103
Daniel Budde D 60 26 41 67

Penalty minutes: Jakob Huyghe, 149

Season

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Regular season

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Notable players

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References

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  1. ^ "Ice Skating Center Mechelen on HockeyArenas.net". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Elite Prospects - Sharks Mechelen". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "CORONA: BENE LEAGUE PER DIRECT GESTOPT" (in Dutch). BeNe League. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "BeNeLiga - 2019-2020". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "RBIHF :: DIV1 :: Future Golden Sharks" (in Dutch). Royal Belgian Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "BeNe League". BeNe League. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
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