Odense Bulldogs

Odense Bulldogs
2016–17 Odense Bulldogs season
City Odense
League Metal Ligaen
Founded 1978
Home arena Bryggeriet Vestfyens Arena
(Capacity: 3,280)
Colors               
Owner(s) Bulldogs Odense ApS
Head coach Sweden Peter Johansson
Captain Denmark Michael Eskesen
Website www.bulldogs.dk

The Odense Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team based in Odense, Denmark. They currently play in Bryggeriet Vestfyens Arena in the Bolbro area, as a part of the best Danish league Metal Ligaen, and they are furthermore the only hockey team from Funen. The team was founded in 1978 and was promoted to the top league in 1991. Odense Bulldogs has never won Metal Ligaen, but achieved three silver medals. Their latest trip to the finals was in the 2011–12 season, where they faced Herning Blue Fox. In that final series, they got the leads 2–0 and 3–1, but ended up losing the last three and lost it 3–4 on aggregate. They have also won the annual tournament cup four times, last time in the 2015–16 season.

Club history

1999–2004: Simioni era

After having been in the league for eight years Odense Bulldogs acquired Mario Simioni and named him player-coach for the 1999–2000 season. for the 2000–01 season Simioni retired as hockey player and was named head coach of the team. Under Simioni, Odense Bulldogs went to the finals for the first time in club history in 2001–02, but ended up losing to Rungsted IK. In the 2002–03 season, Simioni took the bulldogs to their second playoff final in two years, but again ended up losing this time to Herning Blue Fox. Mario Simioni coached Bulldogs for one more year, before traveling to Germany and then SønderjyskE, resulting in the end of an era. It would take Odense Bulldogs 9 years before returning to the playoff finals.

2008–2014: Pär Johansson era

Though leaving Odense Bulldogs for the 07–08 season, Pär Johansson returned to Odense Bulldogs and was named Assistant Coach under Head Coach Dean Fedorchuk for the 08–09 and 09–10 seasons. After losing the Bronze medal game and missing the playoffs for the 08–09 and 09–10 seasons, it was the newly named Head Coach Pär Johanssons job to get Odense Bulldogs back on track. In his first year as Head Coach for the 10–11 season Johansson did not get Bulldogs to the playoffs and had to settle for an number eight spot.

After missing the playoffs two years in a row, something that had not happened since their two first seasons (91–92, 92–93), Odense Bulldogs suddenly found themselves returning to the Playoff finals, in a glorious playoff run. Winning the first two round by a score of 8–0, Odense Bulldogs headed to the finals against Herning Bluefox undefeated. After getting the lead 2–0 and 3–1 in games, Odense Bulldogs had a chance to win their first championship ever at home. Not only did Odense bulldogs lose the first elimination game, but the follow two games, resulting in a game seven final loss at home.

Following a game seven loss in the 2011–12 season and another bronze game loss in 2012–13, Pär Johansson left the club mid January 2014. Henrik Benjaminsen and Odense Bulldogs alumni Mads True coached Odense Bulldogs for the reminder for the season and an early Playoff exit.

2014–2016: Gratton and Cup Champions

Season: 2014–2015

After firing their old coach, Bulldogs acquired headcoach Brad Gratton from Rødovre Mighty Bulls. Among their eight foreigners was 1st round pick by the Nashville Predators, Chet Pickard. Keyplayers such as Canadian winger Dale Mitchell and Center Ryan McDonough was also acquired. Odense dominated a huge part of the regular season with a 12-game winning streak, making them league leaders. They lost many of their last games of the season, resulting in a 4th place.

After winning the first Quarterfinal game 8–2 in the Metal Cup tournament against Herning Blue Fox, Odense ended up with losing second game 8–1, resulting in an early exit in the 2014–15 Metal Cup tournament

After ending on 4th place, Bulldogs picked 5th Esbjerg Energy. After losing the first four games, Bulldogs playoff run ended in the quarterfinals

Season: 2015–2016

After losing all four games out of seven to Esbjerg Energy in the quarter finals in the 2014–15 season, the Bulldogs extended contract with keyplayers such as Dale Mitchell, Ryan McDonough and Joakim Nettelbladt. After sending last years netminder Chet Pickard to Iserlohn Roosters, the Bulldogs signed Czech goaltender Tadeas Galansky and two big forwards, American winger Sean Wiles and Canadien center John Armstrong. After issues with former captain Morten Andreassen resulting in him being send down to the minors, Joakim Nettelbladt became the 7th Bulldogs captain in 9 years, with Ryan McDonough, Dale Mitchell, Mike Daugulis and Søren B. Pedersen Serving as alternates. After a long struggle, the club and the former captain Morten Andreasen, finally agreed to terms and released him from his contract. Andreasen then signed with his old club, Rødovre Mighty Bulls. Odense Bulldogs was the most scoring team, with 191 goals for in 45 games. Odense was the 4th worst defensive team, letting up 154 Goals against. An overall goal, by the administration and coaches, was to stay among the top four best teams in the league, giving them home advantage in the playoff. That goal was not achieved, when the Bulldogs instead settled for a 5th place and no home advantage.

In the annual cup tournament, Odense Bulldogs won their first game of the tournament against Gentofte Stars 4–2. In the quarterfinals they won both games against Herlev Eagles 6–3 and 5–3. Odense won both games in the Semifinals against Aalborg Pirates, advancing to the 2015-16 Cup finals. The bulldogs won against league leading Frederikshavn White Hawks 4–0, taking home 4th Cup. Goaltender Tadeas Galansky was named Cup Final MVP.

Bulldogs were picked by 4th place Herning Blue Fox for the 2015-16 Metal Ligaen playoff quarterfinals. Game one resulted in a 2–1 home win to Herning. Game two was a Shootout victory by Odense, evening out the score 1–1 after two games. in Game three Bulldogs lost 6–1, a game with 2 Match Penalties, 2 game misconducts and a total of 161 penalty minutes. Game four was a 2–1 victory to the bulldogs, again making the overall score 2–2. Game five was won in overtime on a goal by Dale Mitchell, giving Odense a 3–2 lead. Odense loss 2–1 at home making the series 3–3 resulting in a game 7. In game 7 Odense Bulldogs lost in overtime, after tying the game with less than 2 minutes left. The game 7 quarterfinal loss, ended the 2015–16 season for the bulldogs, resulting in the 3rd quarterfinal exit in three years.

For the 2015-16 season Odense Bulldogs were part of a 10 episode TV documentary, Men of steel: Odense Bulldogs (Mænd af stål). This behind the scenes documentary took Danish hockey fans and sport fans to uncharted territory. It was the first time in Danish sport history, that a TV crew was allowed to follow a team for an entire season. The series was broadcast on TV 2 Sport.

2016–present: Peter Johansson

Season: 2016–2017

Odense Bulldogs decided not to resign coach Brad Gratton, instead they signed former Frederikshavn Whitehawks coach Peter Johansson. After locking up last years Metal Cup MVP, Goaltender Tadeas Galansky to a two-year contract extension, they also signed former captain and Odense native, Michael Eskesen. They also resigned last year Metal ligaen topscorer and Bulldogs star Dale Mitchell to a one-year contract, making it his third season with the Bulldogs. From Lørenskog Odense Bulldogs acquired forward Tony Romano and Robin Sterner. On September 7th it was announced that Michael Eskesen, for the second in his career and as a bulldog, would serve as captain of the team, with Dale Mitchell and Simon Grønvaldt as alternates. To start of the season, the Odense Bulldogs were eliminated from the annual Metal Cup tournament, losing 3–2 to Aalborg Pirates, with Pirates scoring the game winner with only 14 seconds left.

European appearances

In June 2016, it was decided that Odense Bulldogs were to host the 2016–17 IIHF Continental Cup semifinals in November 2016. This was going to be the clubs second European appearance and first time hosting one.

Season by season record

Seasons of Odense Bulldogs[1]
Season Rank GP W L OTW OTL Pts Postseason
2002–03 1st 28 19 8 2 0 61 Final loss
2003–04 4th 36 15 14 3 4 55 Bronze medal
2004–05 7th 36 12 18 3 3 45 Quarterfinal loss
2005–06 7th 36 12 18 1 5 43 Quarterfinal loss
2006–07 2nd 36 19 9 2 6 67 Quarterfinal loss
2007–08 5th 45 17 17 4 7 68 Quarterfinal loss
2008–09 3rd 36 18 11 4 3 65 Bronze medal game loss
2009–10 9th 36 7 21 4 4 33 Did not make the playoffs
2010–11 8th 39 8 25 3 3 33 Did not make the playoffs
2011–12 2nd 40 23 12 4 1 78 Final loss
2012–13 5th 40 17 17 4 2 61 Bronze medal game loss
2013–14 6th 40 14 22 1 3 47 Quarter final loss
2014–15 4th 36 17 12 6 1 64 Quarter final loss
2015–16 5th 45 22 18 3 2 73 Quarter final loss

Players

Current roster

Updated March, 2016.[2]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
16 Denmark Bjerrum, RasmusRasmus Bjerrum LW L 24 2013 Esbjerg, Denmark
26 Denmark Eskesen, MichaelMichael Eskesen (C) D L 30 2016 Odense, Denmark
29 Czech Republic Galansky, TadeasTadeas Galansky G L 20 2015 Brno, Czech Republic
3 Denmark Grønvaldt, SimonSimon Grønvaldt (A) D R 25 2014 Odense, Denmark
19 Denmark Hansen, Jonas RenéJonas René Hansen C R 21 2015 Odense, Denmark
22 Denmark Høeg, FrederikFrederik Høeg C R 19 2014 Odense, Denmark
28 Denmark Larsen, MartinMartin Larsen  D R 22 2010 Odense, Denmark
2 Denmark Larsen, OliverOliver Larsen D R 17 2015 Odense, Denmark
30 Denmark Lauridsen, AndreasAndreas Lauridsen G L 19 2015 Odense, Denmark
4 Denmark Lyø, RasmusRasmus Lyø D L 22 2011 Odense, Denmark
13 Canada Mitchell, DaleDale Mitchell (A) RW R 27 2014 Mississauga, Ontario
91 United States Romano, TonyTony Romano C R 28 2016 Smithtown, United States
42 Denmark Nielsen, HenrikHenrik Nielsen LW L 22 2016 Vojens, Denmark
11 Denmark Nielsen, Mikkel AnkjærMikkel Ankjær Nielsen LW L 22 2009 Odense, Denmark
6 Denmark Pedersen, AndreasAndreas Pedersen D L 22 2015 Esbjerg, Denmark
14 Denmark Petersen, AsgerAsger Petersen LW R 17 2015 Odense, Denmark
25 Denmark Schaarup, MadsMads Schaarup D R 29 2011 Herning, Denmark
90 Sweden Sterner, RobinRobin Sterner C L 26 2016 Helsingborg, Sweden
17 Sweden Strandberg, SebastianSebastian Strandberg C L 24 2016 Jönköping, Sweden
5 Denmark Sørensen, FrederikFrederik Sørensen  RW L 21 2014 Odense, Denmark
38 Denmark Thinnesen, MathiasMathias Thinnesen RW L 26 2011 Esbjerg, Denmark

Honored members

  • 7 Lars Oxholm, D, 1994–2006
  • 12 Mads True, C, 1990–95, 2002–12

Captains

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
  • Scott Matzka, 2006–08
  • Mads True, 2008–11
  • Michael Eskesen, 2011–12
  • Zach Tarkir, 2012–13
  • Søren Pedersen, 2013–14
  • Morten Andreasen, 2014–15
  • Joakim Nettelbladt, 2015–16
  • Michael Eskesen, 2016–

References

  1. ↑ http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=139
  2. ↑ "Spillertruppen 2016–17" (in Danish). www.bulldogs.dk. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
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