As an ice hockey fan, you have an entire buffet to choose from in Europe. A total of seven different leagues are combined under the roof of the Hockey Europe organization. Austria is of course also part of the game here as a winter sports nation. The league has had a few special features since 2006. Teams from the Austrian neighbors also take part. Of course, this not only makes the league interesting for sports fans, but also for the spectators who pay a separate focus on ice hockey odds.
What is the ICE Hockey League?
The Ice Hockey League was originally the Bundesliga of the ice hockey teams in Austria. In 2006 there was a revolutionary innovation. The association decided to also have foreign teams participated in the league. This means that clubs from Italy, Slovenia and Hungary are now part of the game. This move ensures a much higher visibility of the league. Every year it is played around the league. In addition, the Austrian championship is also held in the course of the league among the Austrian teams. So there is a lot to see.
Who takes part?
The Austrians naturally provide the largest block, because after all it is originally an Austrian league. The alpine is represented with a total of 8 teams. This includes, for example, the reigning master EC Red Bull Salzburg. Two clubs from Italy are currently part of the game, namely HC Bolzano and the HC Pustertal. Slovenia is currently only with an association. It is the HK Olimpija Ljubljana. Hungary has proven itself to be particularly stable in the league. With two teams, namely Ferencvárosi TC and Alba Volán Székesfehérvár, they bring Hungarian fire to the Austrian ice cream.
The past season
In the 2024/25 season, ICE HL showed why it attracts an average of around 3000 spectators per game. With a total of 312 encounters, the schedule was fully up to the roof. There were also no disappointments on the ice. Over 1800 goals scored throughout the season, about 6 per game. The trophy of the Most Valuable Player went to John Hughes from the EC IDM heat pumps VSV. And the championship went to the EC Red Bull Salzburg team. After defeating the opponent in the playoffs, the HCB South Tyrol Alperia, in a particularly dominant way with 4 wins and a defeat, this was probably a big surprise for very few spectators.
Current development
As in the last year, a total of 13 teams will take part in the coming season. Participation in the league is only possible through the approval and invitation of the league itself. Therefore there will be no changes there. As for the transfers, Michael Raffl from Lausanne will join the masters from Salzburg. The German Luca Erne will join the EC IDM heat pumps team. And HC Tiwag Innsbruck was able to sign Marcel Witting from France. There were many transfers, but the teams remained similar in their basic structure.
Outlook for the coming season
It starts in the Alpine League on September 12th. The first matchday is made up of a total of 6 matches. Among other things, the HCB Südtirol Alperia meet the masters of the EC Red Bull Salzburg, which will certainly ensure sluggish runners after the last playoffs. The last matchday is scheduled for March 1st in 2026. There you can look forward to the encounter between the EC IDM heat pumps VSV and the HC Falkensteiner Pustertal Wölfen. As in the previous year, there will be a total of 312 encounters until the champion is in the end.
The favorites
If you look at the composition of the squad, then the very clear favorite on the league gain is the reigning master EC Red Bull Salzburg. EC KAC is another hot candidate for the title. The team will also compete on the Chl, the Champions Hockey League. Also at the CHL is the third in the Favorite group, HC Bolzano. Outsider chances are granted the Vienna Capitals and the Black Wings Linz. Olimpija Ljubljana is relatively high by the other non -Austrian teams. But if you will benefit the most in the end, the fans are. After all, you can look forward to first -class ice hockey for 6 months.
