Lausanne HC, the professional ice hockey club based in Lausanne, Switzerland, uses a roaring lion as its central emblem. The club, founded in 1922, is commonly referred to as “Les Lions” (The Lions), a nickname that extends directly from the animal featured on its crest and jerseys.[1][2]
Design and History
The lion has been a consistent identifier for the club across its modern visual identity. The club’s official communications describe the lion as “l’emblème du club” (the club’s emblem), and it appears prominently on the front of the home jersey.[1] The home jersey features a “lion rugissant” (roaring lion) on the chest, a placement that has remained a fixture of the club’s matchday look.[3]
The club’s colors are red and white, with the home jersey described as “rouge éclatant” (bright red) and the away jersey white with red details.[1] The club’s official site refers to the home jersey color as “rouge LHC” (LHC red).[4]
In 2022, the club celebrated its centenary. A special commemorative jersey was produced for the anniversary match, featuring numerous historical club logos printed on the fabric to mark the club’s history. The front of that jersey carried the letters “MHC,” referencing HC Montchoisi, the name the club used between 1941 and 1949.[5]
For the 2025-26 season, the club introduced a new jersey design. While the roaring lion and the number placement remained on the chest, the new jersey added a gothic-style “L” at the collar and wider black bands on the elbows that reveal a different lion, this one taken from the city of Lausanne’s coat of arms.[3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The lion is a deliberate symbol for the club. In Swiss hockey, the lion is the identifying animal for both Lausanne and Zurich, a choice that connects each club to the heraldic traditions of its city.[6] The city of Lausanne itself has long used lions in its heraldry; two lions have supported the city’s coat of arms since 1558, where they were adopted as symbols of power.[7]
The club’s fan and marketing language reinforces the lion identity. The club’s slogan, “fier d’être un lion” (proud to be a lion), appears on playoff merchandise alongside the lion head.[8]
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