The ZSC Lions are an ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland,
playing in the Nationalliga A.
The team was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of the two local teams Zürcher Schlittschuh Club
(ZSC; translates to: Zürich Skating Club) and Grasshoppers Club (GC). Whereas ZSC played in the Nationalliga A, was clearly the fan favourite of the city but in constant need of money, GC was
playing in the Nationalliga B, failed to qualify for the Nationalliga A several years in a row and was
without decent fan support, it was still backed by a very rich man.
ZSC was the first swiss team to play in an indoor arena (Hallenstadion). It won the swiss championship in the
years 1936, 1949 and 1961 and the prestigious Spengler Cup in 1944 and 1945. After the merger, the ZSC Lions
won the swiss championship in 2000 and 2001 and the IIHF Continental Cup in 2001 and 2002.
Is locally called "Z".