Genève-Servette HC
The Genève-Servette HC (also called Servette or GSHC) is a professional ice hockey club based in Geneva, Switzerland and competing in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. The team plays their home games at the Patinoire des Vernets, which has a seating capacity of 7,135. The team is currently the oldest team in the NL, being founded in 1905. Team information. Les Vernets. The Patinoire des Vernets was built in 1959 and is located in the Geneva neighborhood of the same name. It serves as the main arena for  the GSHC. It was renovated in 2009 in order to increase the spectator capacity from 6400 to 7140. On January 24, 2012, local authorities and the club reached an agreement to build a new arena, in another part of town, with a seating capacity of 10,000. In 2012, it was scheduled to open by 2015, or possibly 2016. As of 2019, construction has yet to start. Mascots. The official mascots of Genève-Servette are Calvin and Calvina, two anthropomorphic eagles that first appeared at the beginning of the 2006-2007 season. They are Switzerland's first and only mascot duet . Their names are derived from John Calvin, famous theologian of the Protestant reformation in Geneva. In addition, Sherkan, a bald eagle, opens every home game by flying throughout the arena, reaching for his master standing in the center of ice. Sherkan is very popular amongst fans and players alike. Sherkan is Europe's first living animal to partake in an ice-hockey game opening ceremony. Sherkan first appeared during the NLB playoffs of 2001 and has been present to every home game ever since, only missing two. Head coaches. Chris McSorley served as head coach and general manager between 2001  and 2017 and was also co-owner until 2014, alongside Hugh Quennec. Chris McSorley is the brother of Marty McSorley, two times winner of the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers. On March 22, 2017, Chris McSorley stepped down as head coach to focus on his job as general manager. A position he assumed for the entire 2017–18 season. At the end of this season, it was announced that McSorley would return as head coach of Geneva for the 2018/19 season, while keeping his position as general manager. McSorley had signed a 15-year contract with the team in September  2016 worth CHF 10 million, while the club was still under Quennec ownership. The contract runs through the 2030/31 season. On June 26, 2017, it was announced that Craig Woodcroft would replace McSorley at the helm of the team for the next three seasons. At the end of the 2017/18 season, Woodcroft was relieved of his duties as head coach after only one season. Geneva will still pay him the remaining CHF 2 million on his contract. On April 17, 2019, Patrick Emond, the Junior Elite team's coach was promoted head coach. He worked with the Junior team for  9 years, winning recently 2 national titles with them. It will be his first experience with an adult team.