Release from 17.09.2025

Talk show on the Anniversary Season of the Alps Hockey League

Short text 327 CharactersPlain text

On September 20, the Alps Hockey League will begin its tenth season. Ahead of the season opener, Nicolas Stockhammer, Chairman of the AHL Board of Governors and ÖEHV Vice President, AHL Commissioner Michael Suttnig, and Max Wilfan of EK Zeller Eisbären discussed the league’s development, upcoming challenges, and expectations.

Press release 2598 CharactersPlain text













>> The full talk is also available in German <<

Statements (Excerpt)
Nicolas Stockhammer:
“The anniversary is definitely a reason to celebrate. It is by no means a given that a cross-border league of this quality and character has lasted for ten years—and hopefully much longer. The fact that it was possible to reach an agreement among three federations, allowing the league to be played at such a high level, focusing on the promotion of very talented young players, and having an impact beyond borders, is remarkable. This is also thanks to the strong organization that sets everything in motion to make it possible.”

“We see that young talents continue to emerge from within the AHL and make it to the top leagues—even to the NHL. It shows there is real potential here, and the clubs of the win2day ICE Hockey League also benefit from this kind of ‘rejuvenation.’ It’s important to stay on this path and pursue it with determination.”

Michael Suttnig:
“The core idea remains very much alive—namely, to give young players a platform to gain game experience in the transition between junior and professional leagues. The challenge is always: how much professionalism can the league sustain? One mustn’t forget that voluntary work is still a major backbone. Many players are semi-professionals or even fully employed elsewhere, so we always have to find the right balance. We continue to find good solutions to keep developing the league.”

“The exchange between the Alps Hockey League and the win2day ICE Hockey League is definitely happening, and it is actively put into practice. Both sets of regulations contain many measures that target this cooperation. The federations have also greatly simplified the administrative side for short-term transfers between the leagues. This especially gives young players the chance to play in either league on short notice.”

Max Wilfan:
“From the very start of the Alps Hockey League, you could tell that the level was very high—higher than in the league before. And it has continued to grow. There have been many strong clubs, some of which later moved up to the win2day ICE Hockey League. It’s a fantastic stepping stone for young players, and the league is absolutely essential.”

“It’s not that we absolutely have to win again. We won the title last season, and perhaps there’s some expectation that we’ll compete at the top again. That is our ambition, our goal, but we’re not under pressure. Winning is something special, and of course, we want to achieve it again.”