Release from 09.09.2021

Online press conference opened new Alps Hockey League season

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On Thursday, the new Alps Hockey League season was opened with an online press conference. 17 teams from three different countries will be part of the league in the new season which starts on Saturday and will be played with a new mode. This was explained in detail at the press conference. In addition, numerous panel guests and clubs were present to answer questions. You can watch the entire online press conference in the video.

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With a full packed round, the sixth season of the Alps Hockey League starts on Saturday. A total of 17 teams are part of the multinational league. With the EK Die Zeller Eisbären and Vienna Capitals Silver, two old acquaintances returned to the AHL. In addition, the HC Merano, an entirely new team, is also part of the league. "We are finally happy to be part of the Alps Hockey League and we also want to play a role right from the beginning. We definitely have the team to do it," said Kim Collins, Head Coach of HC Merano, at the opening press conference.

Season starts with new mode
The new season starts with the Regular Season, in which all teams play each other twice. Afterwards, the Top-6 will play on in the Master Round. The remaining teams will be divided into two Qualification Round groups. After the Master Round, the Top-4 teams are qualified for the quarterfinals. The remaining two teams of the Master Round play against the top teams of the Qualification Round in so-called pre-playoffs to determine the remaining four quarterfinal participants. In the playoffs, each round will be played in a "best-of-5" format. The champion of the 2021/22 season is to be determined no later than April 19th, 2022. A detailed description of the mode can be found here.

Level of the league is "getting better and better“
The past season of the Alps Hockey League was one of the most successful in history from a sporting and organizational point of view. In 317 games 1971 goals were scored. 106 games were decided with only one goal difference. In addition, all games were broadcast live and the highlight clips were viewed almost 100,000 times. This means that there were more views than in any previous season. "We are very happy with the Alps Hockey League product. From the federation's point of view, you can clearly see how the level is increasing from year to year. Nevertheless, we federations are striving to bring the league even to a higher level, which is why there will be meetings between the three federations this season to discuss this issue," explained Tommaso Teofoli, responsible of the Italian Ice Hockey Federation.

New Slovenian team possible
After the departure of the HK SZ Olimpija to the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League, the HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice remains the only Slovenian representative in the Alps Hockey League until further notice. However, according to Dejan Kontrec, the person in charge of the Slovenian Ice Hockey Federation, a new team from Slovenia is possible in the near future: "It's a big step from the Slovenian championship to the AHL, from a sporting and financial point of view. But we will try to get a new team into the AHL in the future. But it certainly won't happen overnight, because it's a big step and it has to be well thought out."

Watch the entire press conference here: