EBEL one step closer to a new era

08 Sep 2011 | Lukáš Peroutka

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL), primarily based in Austria, but currently consisting of teams from five different countries, starts its new season on Friday. With Red Bull Salzburg as the reigning champion and a new addition of Orli Znojmo from Czech Republic, the league aims to expand even further.

Orli Znojmo, former Czech Extraliga team and more recently 1. liga outfit, took the opportunity to join EBEL in the summer and after several weeks of intensive negotiations, the three-year deal signed between the club and the league was sealed.

The addition of the eleventh club also brought a change of playing format. After 44 rounds the league is about to split into two groups: the top six and the bottom five, the clubs taking with them only a few bonus points. A round-robin follows, eventually deciding the final standings. Top two teams of the bottom group join the top six teams for the playoffs.

The league is enjoying growing numbers of popularity both at the stadiums and in the media, becoming the seventh most attended league in Europe, well before Slovak Extraliga. With very good media coverage on many TV stations and internet streams, fans will be able to enjoy cca 200 games broadcasted live.

With sights set on year 2012, when new major sponsorship agreements are likely to be negotiated, the league would like to welcome another team to take the number of participants to twelve. “Our door remains open for another team,” said league president Karl Safron.

Lyle Seitz, former Canadian referee with more than 800 NHL games under his belt, has been hired as the referee coach, addressing complaints on the quality of officiating in the past seasons. For now, the league stays with a three-man referee system, but the possibility of using a four-man system is on the horizon.

As a mark of respect for victims of the plane crash in Yaroslavl, all games on the opening night will start with a minute of silence.

EBEL TEAMS 2011/2012

Red Bull Salzburg
The reigning champions have declared the highest ambitions on home soil, as well as in European Trophy. One quick look on the roster is enough to tell you why. Top team with a top background.
Star player: Mattias Trattnig
Best signing: Josh Tordjman

Klagenfurter AC
Current runner-up narrowly missed out on the title last year. Klagenfurt managed to retain their key players from last season, bringing in one of the best Austrian players Thomas Koch from Salzburg.
Star player: Kirk Furey
Best signing: Thomas Koch

Vienna Capitals
With a new stadium and a new coach, ambitions are high in Vienna. Tommy Samuelsson is expected to bring the final series back to the capital city after a long absence. The best forward duo of last season Fortier – Gratton is ready again.
Star player: Francois Fortier
Best signing: Reinhard Divis

EC REKORD-Fenster VSV
The club from Villach aims to repeat last year’s success of reaching the top four. Carinthian rivalry is one of the highlights of the league.
Star player: Derek Damon
Best signing: Marco Pewal

EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz
Increased budget and a new development plan to take the club forward mean Linz is aiming for a semifinal participation this year.
Star player: Alex Westlund
Best signing: Mike Ouellette

Moser Medical Graz 99ers
Increased budget and a new development plan to take the club forward mean Linz is aiming for a semifinal participation this year.
Star player: Patrick Harand
Best signing: Zdenek Blatny

KHL Medvescak Zagreb
The huge ice hockey organization from Croatia aims at Canadian players with dual citizenship and strong home support, boosted by several games in Arena Zagreb with a capacity of 15000.
Star player: Ryan Kinasewich
Best signing: Adam Naglich

HDD Tilia Olimpija Ljubljana
With most of Ljulbjana’s top scorers retained, the Slovenian club will aim to overcome its big rival from Jesenice. Questions marks perhaps remain over the goalkeeper and defense.
Star player: John Hughes
Best signing: John Hecimovic

HK Acroni Jesenice
After a difficult last few weeks in Jesenice when most of their import players left over disagreements with the club, tough season is expected in the small Slovenian town.
Star player: Michal Fikrt
Best signing: Marcus Olsson

SAPA Fehervar AV19
The club filled with Hungarian national team players is betting on continuity and excellent pre-season results give them hope of a good season.
Star player: Balazs Ladanyi
Best signing: Adam Munro

Orli Znojmo
With nine players out of the last season’s title-winning junior team currently on the senior team roster, the focus of the club is more on developing local players instead of bringing in imports from abroad. Will that be enough to succeed?
Star player: Vladimir Riha
Best signing:: Petr Kanko

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Czech Rep.: Tipsport extraliga | 1.liga | 2.liga

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