The ICE Hockey League and the entire international ice hockey family mourns the loss of Dr. Karl Safron, who died on January 30, 2026 at the age of 76 after a long and serious illness. With Safron, ice hockey is losing one of its most influential personalities and a passionate designer who had a decisive influence on the development of the league and ice hockey over decades.
Dr. Karl Safron was one of the founders of today’s ICE Hockey League and was a driving force behind the multinational league project from the start. With great foresight, professional competence and tireless commitment, he accompanied the league in various functions for many years.
From 2009 to 2013, Safron headed the league as president before remaining on the board as vice president in the following years. In 2019, he took on responsibility again and led the league through a challenging phase on an interim basis. For his extraordinary services, Dr. Karl Safron appointed honorary president of the win2day ICE Hockey League in 2024.
Safron also had a lasting impact on ice hockey beyond the league – including through his long-term commitment at the EC-KAC club level. His work was always based on the aim of further developing the sport, professionalizing it and strengthening it across generations.
With Dr. Karl Safron, international ice hockey has lost a visionary, bridge builder and passionate advocate of the game. His name will remain inextricably linked to the history and identity of the ICE Hockey League.
League President Dr. Alexander Gruber and league manager Christian Feichtinger for the executive committee and the organization of the win2day ICE Hockey League:
“Dr. Karl Safron was one of the most influential personalities in international ice hockey. As co-founder, president and long-time member of the executive committee, he led the ICE Hockey League with great responsibility, foresight and integrity. His commitment to the sport and his deep connection to ice hockey will be remembered far beyond the league.”
The thoughts of the entire ice hockey family are with his family, his relatives and all his companions during these difficult times.
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