New schedule is here! Ö Eishockey Liga gets fully under way in the West and East Divi­sions on 12 October

East Division: Everyone is chasing champions Kapfenberger SV

In the East Division, champions Kapfenberger SV open against HDK Maribor. The Štajerska capital – also known as Lower Styria – has two home games at the start of the season. Following the ÖEL champions, Wiener Eislauf-Verein come to Maribor on 19 October. They then travel to ATSE Graz for the "Styria derby". The Slovenian league newcomers face three hot games in succession to establish where they stand. ATSE Graz themselves open the new campaign at home to UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden.

The second-matchday clash between UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden and defending champions Kapfenberger SV also promises to be exciting. The Traunsee Sharks are out to make amends after missing the playoffs. The Mürztal Kängurus, who won the Ö Eishockey Liga title for the first time last season, head into the new campaign as top favourites following their performances in their title-winning year.

West Division: Runners-up SC Hohenems are favourites once again

In the West Division, HC Kufstein welcome runners-up SC Samina Hohenems in the headline game. Another fiery encounter takes place when league newcomers EHC Lustenau face returning side WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins. The opening matchday in the West concludes with Dornbirner EC against EHC Crocodiles Kundl. There are two local derbies on National Day as early as the third matchday: EHC Lustenau host SC Samina Hohenems, while HC Kufstein play EHC Crocodiles Kundl in the district derby.

The first three rounds of the ÖEL West Division regular season

1st matchday:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat., 12 October 2024

EHC Lustenau vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sat., 12 October 2024

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sun., 13 October 2024

2nd matchday:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. EHC Lustenau
Fri., 18 October 2024

SC Samina Hohenems vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sat., 19 October 2024

Dornbirner EC vs. HC Kufstein
Sun., 20 October 2024

3rd matchday:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein
Fri, 25 October 2024

EHC Lustenau vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat, 26 October 2024

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. Dornbirner EC
Sat, 26 October 2024

The first three rounds of the ÖEL Division East regular season

1st matchday:

HDK Maribor vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat, 12 October 2024

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 12 October 2024

Wiener Eislauf-Verein bye
Sat, 12 October 2024

2nd matchday:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat, 19 October 2024

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 19 October 2024

ATSE Graz bye
Sat, 19 October 2024

3rd matchday:

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor
Sat., 26 October 2024

Kapfenberger SV vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat., 26 October 2024

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmundenbye
Sat., 26 October 2024

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2024/2025

The ÖEL will begin its new season on Saturday, 12 October 2024. In its fourth year, the format will remain almost unchanged in Phase 1, with six teams in Division West and five in Division East. Traditional Vorarlberg club EHC Lustenau is new to Division West, while WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins returns after a one-year break. Slovenia's HDK Maribor is a new addition to Division East. As in the previous season, Division West will play two home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. Division East will also play a double home-and-away round, with each team playing 16 games.

After Phase 1, there will once again be an inter-regional play-off, beginning with the quarter-finals on 08 February 2025. In the coming season, too, a play-off pick following the regular season will provide additional excitement. The highest-ranked team in each of Division West and Division East may choose its quarter-final opponent from the third- or fourth-placed team in the other division. Starting with the quarter-finals, the play-offs will once again be played in the Champions Hockey League format, with home-and-away ties, with the teams advancing determined by the aggregate score after two games. The new Ö Eishockey Liga champion will be decided on 15 March 2025.

Ö Eishockey Liga entry list 2024/2025

DIVISION EAST | 5 teams
ATSE Graz
HDK Maribor
Kapfenberger SV
UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Wiener Eislauf-Verein

DIVISION WEST | 6 teams
Dornbirner Eishockeyclub Bulldogs
EHC Lustenau
EHC Crocodiles Kundl
HC Kufstein
SC Samina Hohenems
WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

All Ö Eishockey Liga tables, statistics and fixtures in the Gamecenter

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