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.
History The Mechelen Golden Sharks began to play in 2016, initially in the Belgian 2nd division. 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. 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.
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.
Roster Updated February 4, 2021.
GoaltendersNumberPlayerCatchesAcquiredPlace of Birth 1Brent Vandenbergh- 2019 -55/Olivier BertrandL 2018Hull, Canada19Mike JansenL 2020 -94Mike GysbrechtsL 2017Antwerp, Belgium
DefencemenNumberPlayerShootsAcquiredPlace of Birth 6Vadim GyesbreghsL 2020Wilrijk, Belgium9Jakob Huyghe R 2016 -23Elan Verryt - 2020 -47Kim MiettinenL 2019Tuusula, Finland81Gijs De Schepper R 2020Nieuwenrode, Belgium14Toon De Schepper R 2020Nieuwenrode, Belgium81Rafael Salmi L 2019 -29Jens Theunis L 2020 -65Arne van Espen L 2019 -81Din Alen Filipović R 2019 -
ForwardsNumberPlayerShootsPositionAcquiredPlace of Birth 4Elia Urlings -F 2019Breda, Netherlands 12Ben van den Bogaert LF 2019 -13Peik Walden -F 2020 -18Jano Vanderhulst-F 2017 -20Marek ZiarnyLF 2017 -24Kevin de WinterLF 2019Antwerp, Belgium28Kenneth Pittoors LF 2019 -61/Adrian Koscher GanslandtRF 2019 -13/Gabriel Koscher GanslandtLF 2019 -91Stef VermeulenLF 2019 -10Arvo Lahti-F 2019 -15Axel KilaLF 2020 -23Jordan KelsallRF 2020Nottingham, England25Mick Op de BeeckLLW 2018 -31Stefaan SwennenLF 2016Wilrijk, Belgium89Timo DewinLLW 2018 -
Season-by-season record 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
Career These are the top five scorers in Golden Sharks history.
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 Regular season Most goals in a season: Martin Váchal, 102 (2017–18) Most assists in a season: Martin Váchal, 77 (2017–18) Most points in a season: Martin Váchal, 179 (2017–18) Most penalty minutes in a season: Jakob Huyghe, 90 (2018–19)
Notable players Aivaras Bendžius
References
External links Mechelen Golden Sharks