Krefeld Pinguine were established in 1995, but the actual club was founded in 1936. The city of Krefeld has had a long tradition in ice hockey stretching over 80 years. In 1952, Krefeld won their first championship, and just one year later, another team in Krefeld won the second German division. In 1991, the Penguins returned to the first division, and after only a short period of time they managed to qualify for the playoffs. In 2003, the club won its second German championship. Krefeld is the home of NHL defenceman Christian Ehrhoff. Head coach Franz Fritzmeier is the youngest coach in the DEL.