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Denmark
Danmarks Ishockey Union
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  • Incorporated  Nov. 27, 1949
  • Joined the IIHF  Apr. 27, 1946
  • 4,405  registered players
  • 25  registered clubs
  • President:  Henrik Bach Nielsen
National Teams
Star Players

History
Hockey in Denmark
The first mention of hockey (bandy) in Denmark dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when the members of KSF Copenhagen (Copenhagen Skating Club, founded in 1869) tried the new game. Informal games were played in Copenhagen as early as the 1920's. In 1929 a select team representing the city played the Soedertealje club from Sweden. Since there was no domestic league at this time, the best Danish player , named Hiid , played for the Riga club of Latvia. The popularization of the game was enhanced by the creation of the Dansk (now Danmark) Ishockey Union on November 27, 1949. Prior to that date, Denmark's only ice hockey association had been a branch of the Danish Winter Sports Federation. Through that organization, Denmark became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation on April 27, 1946. Several domestic clubs formed and sought valuable experience by playing exhibition matches against their counterparts from Norway and Sweden.

The first appearance of Danish hockey players on the world stage resulted in what still remains the worst defeat in the history of international hockey at its highest level. On February 12, 1949, Denmark was defeated 47-0 by Canada at the World and European Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. After its difficulties in 1949, the national team did not return to the World Championships until the 1962 "B" Pool tournament. Between 1963 and 1991 the Danes competed for the most part in "C" Pool. They hosted and won the 1991 "C" Pool competition and finished a respectable fourth at the 1992 "B" Pool tourney. The Danes remained a fixture at the "B" Pool level throughout the 1990's culminating with an undefeated march though the 1999 "B" World Championships en route to a gold medal.

Danish clubs began to invite coaches from North America and in 1954-55 the first national championship was held. In this historic encounter, Rungsted IK defeated SF Copenhagen 5-2. These two rivals dominated the national title until Gladsaxe SF won in 1966-67. The Herning IK team emerged in the 1970's with two championships while Vojens IK and Rodovre SIK enjoyed much success a few years later.

Since 1960, all games have been played on indoor rinks. By the 1970s, Danish teams began employing coaches from other European nations, particularly Czechoslovakia. The top Danish player of the recent past was Heinz Ehlers who plied his trade in the Swedish Elite League.


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