Frederikshavn White Hawks

Frederikshavn White Hawks
CityFrederikshavn, Denmark
LeagueMetal Ligaen
Founded1964
Home arenaScanel Hockey Arena
ColoursWhite, blue
   
Head coachFredrik Johansson

The Frederikshavn White Hawks are a Danish professional ice hockey team. As of 2025, they play in the top Danish ice hockey league, the Superisligaen (known as the Metal Ligaen for sponsorship reasons).[1] The team is based in the town of Frederikshavn on the east coast of Northern Jutland, Denmark, and is run by the Frederikshavn Ishockey Klub (F.I.K).

History

The White Hawks were founded in 1964 and have won the Danish title twice (1989, 2000) and have been runners-up three times (2008, 2011, 2013).[2][3]

Seasons

2007/08

In 2008 they progressed to the final after finishing the regular season seeded 8th (the first team in Danish league history to do so) knocking top seed Rødovre out in the first best of 7 series in the 7th game by scoring two late goals to win by 1. They beat SønderjyskE in the semifinal series, but lost the final in five games to the then reigning champions Herning.

2008/09

2009 saw them seeded 7th. If not for the bankruptcy of Hvidovre they would have finished 8th and probably faced Herning and forced their local rivals AaB out of the finals by 1 goal differential. However Hvildovre's bankruptcy left an open slot for AaB and put the White Hawks up a place to face Rødovre (second seed) again in the quarterfinals. This was also a very close series with the White Hawks winning three games over the much favored Rødovre, and pushing them to game 7 again. Rødovre won game 7 fairly easily, but the decisive moment was really Rødovre's overtime win in game 4, without which the White Hawks would have progressed after winning game 6. Rødovre went on to lose the semifinals to SønderjyskE who beat Herning in the finals.

2009/10

The 09/10 season was a Jekyll and Hyde one for The White Hawks, they were virtually unbeatable at home yet struggled to take points away. Despite this they finished the regular season in a very impressive 3rd behind the 2 favorites SønderjyskE & AaB. 3rd giving them home advantage in the quarterfinals they choose to play Rødovre again for the 3rd straight year. Some experts doubted they could progress saying "The White Hawks can't win away so all Rødovre needs to do is win 1 game away and they will win the series". This series would turn out to be another classic, Rødovre won the first 2 games despite the White Hawks dominating the first, the 3rd game saw an impressive come from behind win by The White Hawks. The series was really decided with the White Hawks away win in the 4th game, a game that saw a goal scored by White Hawks goalkeeper Frederik Andersen. Andersen had tried to score in game 3 after Rødovre pulled their keeper but just missed, in game 4 he made sure of his aim and scored in the empty net. The White Hawks went on to win a close game 5 and then game 7 easily. They were then put out in the semifinals after just 4 games by a dominant SønderjyskE who progressed to easily beat AaB in the finals in only 4 games to claim another championship. The White Hawks lost the bronze playoff to Herning and finished 2009/10 in 4th.

Players

Current roster

Updated 30 September 2024.

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
13 Fredric Andersson (C) C L 36 2024 Gnesta, Sweden
5 Mikkel Bertelsen RW L 25 2024 Frederikshavn, Denmark
69 Nikolaj Boelsmann Kristensen F R 21 2022 Frederikshavn, Denmark
27 Jared Freadrich D R 27 2024 Camrose, Alberta, Canada
49 Christopher Frederiksen (A) C L 30 2020 Frederikshavn, Denmark
1 Kevin Dich Frydkjær G R 25 2020 Frederikshavn, Denmark
29 Tadeáš Galanský G L 32 2021 Brno, Czech Republic
71 Sebastian Holm-Pedersen RW R 21 2022 Frederikshavn, Denmark
77 Mads Iversen D L 26 2020 Aalborg, Denmark
2 Jaeden Martin D L 24 2024 Boynton Beach, Florida, United States
24 Christopher Mulberg D L 21 2022 Frederikshavn, Denmark
59 Jacob Møller Jensen LW L 23 2022 Aalborg, Denmark
66 Martin Pärna LW L 31 2024 Halmstad, Sweden
53 Thomas Spelling LW R 32 2024 Herning, Denmark
10 Anton Stenbakken D L 21 2023 Frederikshavn, Denmark
36 Santeri Suistio D L 27 2024 Rauma, Finland
12 Rasmus Søndergaard (A) D L 34 2009 Gærum, Denmark
7 Thomas Søndergaard C L 31 2018 Gærum, Denmark
67 Jesper Thörnberg LW L 34 2024 Jönköping, Sweden
42 Gorm Topholt (A) LW L 28 2023 Frederikshavn, Denmark
89 Todd Winder F R 28 2023 Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada

Notable players

  • Mike Grey (Retired 2012 to become assistant Coach - played 864 Games for the club)
  • Tomi Jokinen (Retired 2012 holds record for most games played in Danish League by a non-Dane)
  • Frederik Andersen (First Danish goaltender to play in the NHL)[4]
  • Ilya Dubkov

References

  1. ^ "Om Metal Ligaen 2024/25" [About the Metal League 2024/25]. Metal Ligaen (in Danish). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Historie" [History]. whitehawks.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ^ Fredberg, Peter (24 March 2014). "Toptrænere tror på ishockey-guld til Herning eller Sønderjyske" [Top coaches expect ice hockey gold for Herning or Sønderjyske]. Berlingske.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  4. ^ Siegel, Jonas (Nov 24, 2016). "The rise of Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen". CBC Sports. Retrieved 10 June 2025.