Release from 06.08.2024

Preseason kicks off ninth AHL season

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On Wednesday, the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers open this year's preseason with a game against the team from Nazareth University (USA). 45 days later, the ninth season of the Alps Hockey League, founded in 2016, begins. From September 21, thirteen teams will compete for the title in the championship, which for the first time includes four nations. Thanks to the high standard, many players have been able to develop further since the league was founded and recommend themselves for a role in the top international leagues. Vasili Zelenov from Red Bull Hockey Juniors was the first player to be selected directly from the league in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

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The Alps Hockey League has served as a springboard for young players for many years. Its success is reflected in the fact that 122 former AHL players are currently active in the win2day ICE Hockey League. 22 ex-league cracks play in the German League as well as others in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, France and even in the American Hockey League. A total of 34 current or former Alps Hockey League players are also playing for their national teams.

Mix of youth and experience in the teams
Youth work is a top priority in the Alps Hockey League. At the same time, the use of experienced players ensures a balanced mix. For example, the average age of defending champion Rittner Buam SkyAlps and last season's finalist S.G. Cortina Hafro was around 25 last season. The youngest team was the Red Bull Hockey Juniors with an average age of just under 20. The second team of win2day ICE Hockey League champion EC Red Bull Salzburg explicitly uses the Alps Hockey League to develop young players and prepare them for professional hockey. Juniors player Vasili Zelenov is the first player to be selected directly from the Alps Hockey League in this year's NHL Entry Draft. The Buffalo Sabres have secured the rights to the 18-year-old forward, who recorded 17 goals and 26 assists in the past AHL season.

Preseason starts on Wednesday
Preparations for the 2024/25 season are already in full swing. The thirteen participating teams have largely put together their squads and will soon start the preseason. The Hockey Unterland Cavaliers kick off on Wednesday against the Nazareth Golden Flyers, a college team from the USA. Other teams will follow with their first test matches in the coming week.

The season opener will take place on Saturday, September 21. Thirteen teams will then battle for the title in the championship, which will feature four nations for the first time. After 36 Regular Season games, the season continues with the Master Round and Qualification Round. Following the pre-playoffs, the champion will be determined from the quarterfinals onwards.

The Alps Hockey League thus remains an essential part of the international hockey landscape, offering young players important opportunities for development and serving as a springboard for careers in the best leagues in the world.

You can find the entire preseason schedule here.