Release from 13.09.2018

Press conference opens third AHL season

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On Thursday players, coaches and officials of Alps Hockey League came together in Bled/Slovenia for the season opening press conference. On Saturday the league's third campaign starts with 17 teams from three countries.

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The Bled castle was the idyllic ambience for the season opening press conference of Alps Hockey League on Thursday. Last campaign Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey dethroned Rittner Buam in game 7 to become the league's second champion. "Today it's not only a review but also a look out on what's happening next. The participating federations have agreed on a further cooperation in Alps Hockey League and we'll sign a new four-year contract soon," started Matjaž Rakovec, president of the Slovenian Ice Hockey federation, the press conference off.

The league's media value of EUR 3.6 millions and the numbers of spectators have  increased in the past season. With almost 271.000 fans coming to the areas, there was a plus of 11 per cent to the debut season. "The league was once again well-organized and on high standards. From the Slovenian point of view our two teams made a pretty good job. As a league we want to become better and ebtter with each year, with still being a good development for young players," explained Dejan Kontrec, member of the Board of Governors.
 
"The fans can get ready for some great hockey action"
With Hockey Milano Rossoblu a well-known name completes the starting field for the 2018-19 season. The Milanesi, who have much hockey tradition (since 1924) and winning history, are the league's first city with over one million inhabitants. On Saturday they make their AHL debut with a home game against VEU Feldkirch. "The fans can get ready for some great hockey action. In the first two years we have achieved a lot and now we are already on a high level. The clubs and fans are already looking forward to the games against Milano.  The playoff race will be exciting until the last game day," feels Peter Schramm, Chairman of the Board of Governors, confident.

The Alps Hockey League season 2018-19 is split in two phases. In the regular season the teams play a double round robin of 32 games for every club against each other. The eight additional local games per team around Christmas time complete the regular season. Afterwards, twelve teams go through to playoffs for the first time in AHL history. While the four best-placed teams are qualified for quarterfinals, the clubs between places 5 and 12 play a round of 16 in "best of three". Then, the postseason continues as last campaign: Semifinals are played in a “best-of-five” mode, while the quarters and finals will be "best-of-seven". The champion of Alps Hockey League 2018-19 will be crowned in up to 397 games. 
 
Alps Hockey League provides more moving pictures
The high hockey level of the league was proofed by the Italian national team recently, where ten players of the Alps Hockey League performed. “I was proud of the team, they played really well. A strong league is fundamental for a strong national squad. We believe in the product Alps Hockey League, it is a long-term concept,” Tommaso Teofoli from the Italian federation confirmed.
 
After live streams, moving images and highlights have been made availbale to fans last season, the league has significantly increased the offer for the upcoming campaign. The 17 teams fully committed to produce highlights of every home game to show the fans of Alps Hockey League even more moving images. “We have partnerships with TV-stations in all three countries. The biggest development is to have highlights from every game. We aim to place ice hockey more and more in the digital area, where we reach younger target group. The new and independent website www.alps.hockey provides the most important information and live results,” Christian Feichtinger, the Commissioner of the Alps Hockey League presented.