WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins announce with­drawal from the Ö Eishockey Liga

The officials of WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins announced their withdrawal from the Ö Eishockey Liga today, 19 September 2023. According to the club, infrastructural deficiencies at Alpenstadion Wattens mean that the 2022 ÖEL champions cannot compete in the Ö Eishockey Liga in the 2023/2024 season. The club hopes to be able to take part again next season.

Statement from WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins: “Due to the infrastructural deficiencies, we are not in a position to carry out the entire planned playing programme in the 2023/2024 season. For this reason, we have decided to withdraw our first senior team from the ÖEL this season. However, youth operations can be almost entirely maintained through an interim solution. We will also begin the 2023/24 season with a senior team in the Tyrol regional league!”

In consultation with the five remaining clubs in the West Division, the Ö Eishockey Liga fixture list for the 2023/24 season will be adjusted accordingly.

The Tyroleans prevailed over Kapfenberger SV in two games in the ÖEL final of the inaugural 2021/2022 season to become the first champions of the new ÖEL. Last season, the title holders' campaign ended after the regular season, having finished fifth in the table and missed out on the playoffs. 

The West Division of the Ö Eishockey Liga will now feature Dornbirner Eishockeyclub, EHC Crocodiles Kundl, HC Kufstein, SC Samina Hohenems 1974 and VEU Feldkirch.

The ÖEL will begin its third season in early October with the two regional East and West divisions, now comprising a total of eleven clubs.

Ö Eishockey Liga entry list 2023/2024

East Division | 6 teams

ATSE Graz Hockey

Eishockeyverein Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Kapfenberger SV Eishockeyclub

UEHV „RAUCH Technology“ Sharks Gmunden

Wiener Eislauf Verein

UHT DUKES Graz

West Division | 5 teams

Dornbirner Eishockeyclub

Eishockeyclub Crocodiles Kundl

Hockey Club Kufstein

SC Samina Hohenems 1974

VEU Feldkirch