Though they were formed in 2000, the Vienna Capitals continue a long tradition of hockey being played in the capital of Austria. Since winning the EBEL title in 2005, they have remained consistently among the league's elite.

by Jorg Trondl

Founded in 2000, the Vienna Capitals are the professional hockey team in Austria’s largest city. They continue the long and well-respected tradition of hockey in the capital city, which included such teams as EC Engelmann, EC Stadlau and WEV. Since 2001 they have played in the EBEL, a multi-national league with teams from Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovenia.

After the first arrival of Jim Boni as head coach in 2003 the team roster became more and more competitive. In 2005 they made history by becoming the first Viennese hockey champion in 43 years after a thrilling seven-game series in which the first six games were all won by the visiting team. Mike Craig, Bob Wren and Frederic Chabot were the key players in the series against the team’s long-standing rival, KAC Klagenfurt.

Facilities

Since the 2011-12 season, the Caps have played their home games in the multi-purpose Albert Schultz-Halle, which allows a capacity of 7,022 spectators. Originally opened in 1995 with one 4,500-seat arena and a small practice rink, the facility was enlarged at a cost of about € 40 million, with the addition of a third ice rink with about 500 seats and parking facilities.

Throughout the years, Vienna has been Austria's best-drawing club in terms of attendance, regularly gathering crowds of 4,800-plus, making them consistenly the league's most attended team. In the 2012-13 season, the Caps reached the EBEL finals, losing it in four straight games to Klagenfurt. Although they were the winners of the 2013-14 regular season, their post-season ended early in with a quarter-final defeat to Villach SV, four games to one. In 2014-15 the team had problems and slumped late in the season, but thanks to the return of Boni behind the bench recovered in the playoffs to make the finals, where they were defeated by Red Bull Salzburg. 

The Caps continue to be one of the favourites for the EBEL championship. The Viennese crowds are hoping that the offensive play returns to the strength it was when the Caps won their first title in 2005, and for a successful CHL run as well.

Team facts

CHL seasons

2015–16: 2nd in Group J, Round of 32
2014–15: 1st in Group B, Round of 16

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NOTE: This article has been updated since its original publication