Release from 11.09.2018

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga opens Friday

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On 14th September the puck drops for the 16th Erste Bank Eishockey Liga season with twelve teams from four countries taking part again. The new season faces-off with six games on Friday. From that day on eleven teams prey on reigning champion HCB Südtirol Alperia.

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The past season in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga has been more exciting than ever before: 47% out of last year's games ended up with just one goal difference, more than half of the playoff games, too. Further, twelve postseason games were determined in overtime. The evident balance on the ice was partly responsible for setting new records concerning the amount of spectators in the arenas and the media value. For the ninth time in row the league has welcomed more than one million spectators. For the first time the league broke through 60 million media value. 

“The league is on the right track”
“We are extremely happy that we welcomed almost 1,3 million spectators last season. It shows that we are on the right track. The media value has also increased sharply”, opened Dr. Peter Mennel, President of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, the press conference in Vienna. Mag. Gernot Mittendorfer, CFO of Erste Group, is at one: “For me, ice hockey is the best sport in the world. I am very pleased that we could increase again these important parameters. This development is fundamental for the brand Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.”

Christian Feichtinger, Managing Director of Erste Bank Liga, is also glad about the rise of the media value: “We are the only sports league in Austria having two great and innovative media partners (ServusTV and Sky Sport Austria) at our side. But the amount of live broadcasting in the other countries increased, too. So we can offer a nearly full media service.” 

League-teams are convincing in the CHL
Even before the start of the season, three teams of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga started their Champions Hockey League campaign. After four games played, HCB Südtirol Alperia, EC Red Bull Salzburg and Vienna Capitals are close to step up to CHL-Playoffs. “We are very proud of our participants in CHL. They performed pretty well and created some upsets so far. We are looking forward to the last two game days and hope that all three teams can step up.” The current performance in the CHL also “proofs the high level of the league”, Dr. Peter Mennel supplemented. 

Main topics of the press conference:

  • Schedule: The schedule for the 2018-19 season of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga was prepared in precise coordination with the federation. Three international breaks are integrated for the first time. Because of new ice in Znojmo and Zagreb and a conversion of the arena in Klagenfurt, some teams will start with long road trips. 
  • Rule changes: The Erste Bank Eishockey Liga has made some rule changes for the upcoming season. In addition to the new “IIHF Official Rule Book”, which will run for the next four years, the league casebook has also been upgraded. Here you can find the changes in detail.  
  • Further development on digital sector: An own league press room will be the next step on digital sector sharing digital content easier.  
  • Servus Hockey Night remains digital home of hockey: Last year’s expansion of the digital platform has paid off on a maximum level. New target groups could be reached. This season 40 to 45 games will be featured on www.servushockeynight.com for free.
  • Sky moves to Friday: Sky Sport Austria will present about 50 games on Friday this season. The team of experts will again deliver insights into off-ice actions. Also voting the player of the month will be part of the channel. 
  • Alps Hockey League as a stage for young players: The AHL opens their third season on 15th of September. Hockey Rossoblu Milan takes the place of Neumarkt this year. The AHL should be again a stage for young talents, who sometimes played Erste Bank Young Stars League before. 

Face-off on Friday: On Friday the regular season will start 6.45 pm. Moser Medical Graz 99ers will start on the road facing reigning champion HCB Südtirol Alperia. Vice-champion EC Red Bull Salzburg welcomes EC-KAC. Here you can find the complete schedule.  

Watch the press conference on demand: