ICE Hockey League

Last updated
ICE Hockey League
Current season, competition or edition:
Hockey current event.svg 2023–24 ICE Hockey League season
ICE Hockey League logo.png
Sport Ice hockey
Founded1923;101 years ago (1923)
CEO Karl Safron [1]
No. of teams13
Country Austria  (8 teams)
Italy  (3 teams)
Hungary  (1 team)
Slovenia  (1 team)
Most recent
champion(s)		 Red Bull Salzburg
(9th title)
Most titles EC KAC (31)
TV partner(s)Puls 24
Official website www.ice.hockey/en

The ICE Hockey League (International Central European Hockey League, ICEHL), known as the win2day ICE Hockey League for sponsorship reasons, [2] is a Central European hockey league that also serves as the top-tier ice hockey league in Austria. It currently features additional teams from Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia. The league was known as the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL) from 2003 until 2020 and as the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League during the 2021–22 season. [3]

Contents

Until 2005–06, the league consisted solely of Austrian teams. Since then, the league has added teams from Slovenia (from 2006 to 2017 and from 2021 onwards), Hungary (starting 2007–08), Croatia (from 2009–10 through 2012–13, and again from 2017–18 through 2018–19), the Czech Republic (starting in 2011–12 through 2019–20 and again from 2021-22 onwards), [4] Italy (starting in 2013–14), [5] and Slovakia (starting in 2020–21 through the start of 2021–22).

The non-Austrian teams are competing for the "League Champion" title. Only Austrian teams in this league are additionally eligible for the "Austrian Champion" title.[ citation needed ] The league has had different sponsors, and the current naming rights have been held by win2day.at since 2022.

Teams from the ICEHL participate in the IIHF's annual Champions Hockey League (CHL), competing for the European Trophy. Participation is based on the strength of the various leagues in Europe (excluding the European/Asian Kontinental Hockey League). Going into the 2022–23 CHL season, the ICEHL was ranked the No. 6 league in Europe, allowing them to send their top three teams to compete in the CHL.

History

Foundation

HDD Olimpija vs EC KAC at Bezigrad Stadium during the 2012-13 Austrian Hockey League season Hokej Olimpija KAC 2013-01-08 01.jpg
HDD Olimpija vs EC KAC at Bežigrad Stadium during the 2012–13 Austrian Hockey League season

The roots of the league go back to 1923 and various Championships, whose winner is officially recognized as the Austrian Champion. There was no Austrian competition between 1939 and 1945. During World War II, a number of Austrian teams competed in the German Ice Hockey Championship, which is why the EK Engelmann Wien and Vienna EV list German Championships in their history.

1965–1990

The Bundesliga, as it was called, was incepted for the 1965-66 season by EC KAC from Klagenfurt, IEV from Innsbruck, WEVg from Vienna, and KEC from Kitzbühel. EC KAC won the championship 8 times in the 1970s.

When the Austrian national hockey team earned promotion into the Group B of the IIHF, it led to a boom in spectators. Three foreign players were allowed and first signs of financial hiccups came. SV Kapfenberg went bankrupt, and WAT Stadlau abstained from participating in the Bundesliga for financial reasons.

1990–2003

A first step in internationalization was undertaken as the clubs, in addition to the national championship, participated in the Alpenliga. The Alpenliga was formed with clubs from Italy and Slovenia. After making Ralph Krueger their manager in 1991 VEU Feldkirch won five championships from 1994 to 1998. Rising budgets caused more and more clubs to abstain from participation. In 1997 SV Kapfenberg went bankrupt during the season, and the championship was down to only four clubs. In 2000 VEU Feldkirch went bankrupt. The league was named after its sponsor, Uniqua.

2003–2020

In 2003 Erste Bank became sponsor and the league was named Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. In 2013–14, Italy's Bolzano Foxes became the first non-Austrian team to win the EBEL title when they beat the Salzburg Red Bulls 3 games to 2 in their best-of-five final series. Such success is not unheard of for an Italian outfit, but previous similar results took place in the Alpenliga and the Cup of the European Leagues, standalone competitions whose postseason tournaments were distinct from the Austrian playoffs. One year after rejoining the league from the Kontinental Hockey League, KHL Medveščak Zagreb once again withdrew from the EBEL, this time citing the difficult economic situation of the club. [6]

2020–present

In 2020, the league was renamed to ICE Hockey League. "ICE" refers to the league's locale – International Central European – and the surface of an ice hockey rink. At the same time, bet-at-home.com became the title sponsor of the league. [7] From the 2021-22 season onwards the league will expand to 14 teams, with reigning champions Olimpija Ljubljana and Pustertal Wölfe joining from the Alps Hockey League and Orli Znojmo returning after a one-year absence. Austrian online betting platform and casino win2day.at became the league's title sponsor in 2022.

Teams

EBEL map.png
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Teams currently participating in the ICEHL.


TeamCityArenaCapacityFoundedJoined ICEHLLeft ICEHL
Current teams
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV Flag of Austria.svg Villach Villacher Stadthalle 4,80019231977–78
EC KAC Flag of Austria.svg Klagenfurt Stadthalle Klagenfurt 5,50019091923–24
EC Red Bull Salzburg Flag of Austria.svg Salzburg Eisarena Salzburg 3,60019772004–05
Fehérvár AV19 Flag of Hungary.svg Székesfehérvár Alba Aréna6,00019602007–08
Graz99ers Flag of Austria.svg Graz Eisstadion Liebenau 4,05019992000–01
HC Bozen–Bolzano Flag of Italy.svg Bolzano Sparkasse Arena 7,22019332013–14
HC Pustertal Wölfe Flag of Italy.svg Bruneck Intercable Arena3,10019542021–22
Asiago Hockey 1935 Flag of Italy.svg Asiago Pala Hodegart3,00019352022–23
HC TWK Innsbruck Flag of Austria.svg Innsbruck TIWAG Arena 3.20019942012–13
HK Olimpija Ljubljana Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Tivoli Hall 7,00020042021–22
Steinbach Black Wings Linz Flag of Austria.svg Linz Linz AG Eisarena 3,80019922000–01
Vienna Capitals Flag of Austria.svg Vienna Erste Bank Arena 7,02220002001–02
Pioneers Vorarlberg Flag of Austria.svg Feldkirch Vorarlberghalle 5,20020222022–23
Former teams (since introduction of current league format)
Bratislava Capitals Flag of Slovakia.svg Bratislava Ondrej Nepela Arena 10,05520152020–212021–22
VEU Feldkirch Flag of Austria.svg Feldkirch Vorarlberghalle 5,20019451967–682003–04
HK Jesenice Flag of Slovenia.svg Jesenice Podmežakla Hall 4,50019482006–072011–12
HDD Olimpija Ljubljana Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Tivoli Hall 7,00019282007–082016–17
Medveščak Zagreb Flag of Croatia.svg Zagreb Dom Sportova,
Arena Zagreb 		5,000
15,000		19612009–10
2017–18		2012–13
2018–19
Orli Znojmo Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Znojmo Nevoga Arena 5,50019332011– 12
2021–22		2019–20

2021-22

Dornbirn Bulldogs Flag of Austria.svg Dornbirn Messestadion 4,27019922012–13

2021–22

Playoffs

With their victory in the finals of the 2013–14 season, HC Bolzano became the first non-Austrian team to claim the league title. Formerly the best non-Austrian team result was when HDD Olimpija Ljubljana managed to get into the finals in the 2007–08 season, losing the championship to EC Red Bull Salzburg.

Winter Classics

Winter ClassicDateSiteHome teamAway teamScoreAttendance
Klagenfurt 20152015-01-03 [8] Wörthersee Stadion (football) KAC VSV 1–429,700
Šalata 20132013-02-01 [9] [10] Šalata (hockey) Medveščak Capitals 1–25,120
Šalata 20102010-01-31 [11] [12] Šalata (hockey) Medveščak Capitals 4–3 (OT)4,600
Šalata 20102010-01-29 [13] [12] Šalata (hockey) Medveščak VSV 2–34,600
Pula 20122012-09-16 [14] Pula Arena (amphitheatre) Medveščak Capitals 4–17,130
Pula 20122012-09-14 [14] Pula Arena (amphitheatre) Medveščak Olimpija 1–27,022
Klagenfurt 20102010-01-09 [15] Wörthersee Stadion (football) KAC VSV 1–330,500

Bolded teams denote winners

Austrian Champions

ClubWinnersWinning years
EC KAC
32
1934, 1935, 1952, 1955, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2019, 2021
Wiener EV / EG
17
1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1937, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1962
Red Bull Salzburg
11
2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014[*], 2015, 2016, 2018[*], 2022, 2023, 2024
VEU Feldkirch
9
1982, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Innsbrucker EV (also known as GEV Innsbruck)
7
1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1989
Villacher SV
6
1981, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2006
EK Engelmann (earlier known as Pötzleinsdorfer SK)
6
1932, 1936, 1938, 1946, 1956, 1957
ATSE Graz
2
1975, 1978
Black Wings Linz
2
2003, 2012
Vienna Capitals
2
2005, 2017

 bold – seasons in which league had teams outside Austria

 [*] – seasons in which the Austrian Champion didn't win the ICEHL title

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EC VSV</span> Ice hockey team in Carinthia, Austria

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV are an ice hockey team in the ICE Hockey League. They play their home games at Stadthalle in Villach, Austria. The team colors are blue and white. Their mascot is an eagle - Villach's coat of arms represents an eagle's claw.

The Alpenliga was an international professional ice hockey league which existed between 1991 and 1999. It was contested by club teams from Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HC Bozen–Bolzano</span> Ice hockey team in South Tyrol, Italy

Hockey Club Bolzano Foxes, also known as commercial name HCB Alto Adige Alperia or HCB Südtirol Alperia is an Italian professional ice hockey team located in the city of Bolzano, South Tyrol autonomous province, that plays in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). It remains the most successful team in the history of the Italian Serie A, with 19 championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Holst</span> Canadian-Austrian ice hockey player and coach

Gregory Holst is a Canadian-born Austrian ice hockey coach and a former player. He played eleven games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers between 1975 and 1977. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1974 to 1993, was mainly spent in the Austrian Hockey League. A naturalized Austrian citizen, Holst played for the Austrian national team in four World Championships between 1982 and 1986. After retiring he turned to coaching, and worked in the Austrian league and with the Austrian national team.

The Austrian National League was a former second tier ice hockey league in Austria. For the 2012–13 season, it was replaced by the Inter-National League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Žiga Pance</span> Slovenian ice hockey player

Žiga Pance is a Slovenian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HK Olimpija of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). He participated at several IIHF World Championships as a member of the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornbirn Bulldogs</span> Austrian hockey club

The Dornbirn Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Austria, who are currently on hiatus and formerly played in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL), the first level of ice hockey in Austria, from 2012 until 2022. The club was founded in 1992 and in 2001, began play in the Austrian National League. In their 11 years in the National League, Austria's second-tier league, Dornbirn celebrated two titles in 2008 and 2010.

The 1990–91 Austrian Hockey League season was the 61st season of the Austrian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Austria. Six teams participated in the league, and EC KAC won the championship.

The 1986–87 Austrian Hockey League season was the 57th season of the Austrian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Austria. Seven teams participated in the league, and EC KAC won the championship.

The 1985–86 Austrian Hockey League season was the 56th season of the Austrian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Austria. Six teams participated in the league, and EC KAC won the championship.

The 1984–85 Austrian Hockey League season was the 55th season of the Austrian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Austria. Seven teams participated in the league, and EC KAC won the championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ice hockey in Austria</span> Overview of ice hockey practiced in Austria

Ice hockey in Austria is governed by the Austrian Ice Hockey Association. The Austrian Hockey League was founded in 1922. The second level Nationalliga, and the third level Oberliga operate below it. Austrian men's, women's, junior, and women's U-18 national teams participate at the IIHF World Championships. Austria has been a member of the IIHF since March 18, 1912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernhard Starkbaum</span> Austrian ice hockey player

Bernhard Starkbaum is an Austrian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dustin Gazley</span> American ice hockey player (born 1988)

Dustin Gazley is an Italian-American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for HC Bolzano in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Pokel</span> American ice hockey player and coach

Tom Pokel is an American professional ice hockey coach and a former ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the head coach for the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

The 2016–17 Austrian Hockey League season began on 15 September 2016 and ended on 7 April 2017. The defending champion was EC Red Bull Salzburg. On April 7, the Vienna Capitals won the Austrian Hockey Championship for the 2nd time in their history.

The 2017–18 Austrian Hockey League season began on 8 September 2017 and ended on 20 April 2018. The defending champion were the Vienna Capitals. On 20 April 2018, HC Bolzano won the Austrian Hockey Championship for the 2nd time in their history.

The 2018–19 Austrian Hockey League season began on 14 September 2018 and ended on 24 April 2019. The defending champion were HC Bolzano. On 24 April 2018, EC KAC won the Austrian Hockey Championship for the 31st time in their history.

The 2019–20 Austrian Hockey League season began on 13 September 2019. The defending champion's are EC KAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneers Vorarlberg</span> Austrian ice hockey club

Pioneers Voralberg is an Austrian professional ice hockey team in the ICE Hockey League. The team plays their home games in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria at the Vorarlberghalle. It is the top-level team of VEU Feldkirch.

References

  1. ↑ "sport.ORF.at". Sport.ORF.at. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  2. ↑ "win2day ICE Hockey League". www.ice.hockey. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
  3. ↑ "A NEW ERA IS BEGINNING: BET-AT-HOME ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE". ICE Hockey League. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Znojmo to join Austrian EBEL". Eurohockey.com. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  5. ↑ "12 teams - 5 countries - HC Bozen affiliated". archive.is. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "End of season for Medvescak Zagreb". Eurohockey.com. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  7. ↑ "A NEW ERA IS BEGINNING: BET-AT-HOME ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE". ICE Hockey League. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "VSV-Sieg in rasantem "Winter Classic"". Sport.ORF.at. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  9. ↑ "KHL MedvÅ¡Ä?ak Winter Classic". Croatiansports.com. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  10. ↑ "Spiel Details". 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  11. ↑ "Spiel Details". 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  12. 1 2 Šalata Winter Classic 2010., Croatian Wikipedia.
  13. ↑ "Spiel Details". archive.is. 12 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Spiel Details". 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "VSV gewann Open-Air-Spektakel gegen KAC - oesterreich.ORF.at". Ktnv1.orf.at. Retrieved 2017-03-05.

47°02′41″N15°27′19″E / 47.0446°N 15.4553°E / 47.0446; 15.4553

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.