Düsseldorfer EG Faces Historic Relegation After Tumultuous Season

The 90-year-old ice hockey club's struggles include financial mismanagement, player losses, and personal tragedies, leaving its future uncertain.

The Düsseldorfer EG has become the last-place team in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) and faces likely relegation to the DEL2 for the first time in its 90-year history.
Fans directed their anger at Sport Director Niki Mondt and the club's shareholders, particularly Harald Wirtz, blaming financial mismanagement for the team's decline.
Goalkeeper Henrik Haukeland criticized the club's leadership, citing budget cuts and a lack of support for building a competitive team as key factors in the poor performance.
The team was deeply affected by the deaths of three individuals closely connected to the club, including former player Tobias Eder and family members of two current players, which disrupted their momentum in February.
Despite the relegation threat, the club has no concrete plans for competing in the second league, adding to uncertainty about its future.