Galati joins the MOL League

12 Jun 2016 | Szabolcs Závodszky

At the first MOL League meeting after the registration deadline the league discussed league expansion, along with the overtime rules as well as limitations on players who can play in multiple leagues.

The league management informed the league members that all nine teams from the previous season and CSM Dunarea Galati had met all the requirements to join the league by the extended deadline.

The following teams have will be playing in the MOL League during the 2016-17 season:
- ASC Corona 2010 Brasov
- Debreceni HK
- Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák
- DVTK Jegesmedvék
- Fehérvári Titánok (SaPa Fehervar 2)
- Ferencvárosi Torna Club
- MAC Budapest
- Sport Club Csíkszereda
- UTE
- CSM Dunarea Galati

The league debated the idea of the league expanding even more as well as what problems teams may face in the upcoming season with the addition of Galati as well as with Belgrade and Zagreb also showing interest in the league. The taking part in this discussion were the league members, leaders from both the league and federation as well as Levente Szuper who was representing Vasas SC. The biggest issue what teams look to have is the rise of travel costs, as teams have already have set budgets for the upcoming season. Ideas on how to manage this issue and the addition of Belgrade and Zagreb into the league will be discussed in the upcoming two weeks.

The members of the league voted to add CSM Dunarea Galati to the league under one condition, that any extra travel costs will be covered from a source that is independent from the club.

The league unanimously voted to go with the same overtime rules that the IIHF had recently adopted as well for the 2016-17 season.

The upcoming season will bring changes to the transfer window, as transfers can be made up until and including the last match day of the regular season.

As usual the question of home players and import players was debated as well. With the summer transfers being in full swing it was settled that the same rules be applied form last season for the upcoming season as well.

The fact that there are teams that are playing in multiple countries also had to be taken into consideration. For the upcoming season teams will be allowed to have 5+1 players who can play down into the MOL League from a high league. Incase of injury one skater and one goalie can be changed on this list.
The last point on the agenda was the game scheduled for the 2016-17 season, a final fixed schedule will only be expected at a later date.