Before the start of the DEL: This is new in German ice hockey

One day before the kick-off, we are answering the questions that ice hockey fans in Germany are currently asking themselves. What's new? Especially the Lions Frankfurt. The newcomer is the successor club to the Frankfurt Lions, which went bankrupt in 2010. After years of development work, we finally managed to get promoted to the DEL again in the spring. What is particularly new is that, after the last few years marked by the corona pandemic, the game will be played again in the tried and tested mode: After a main round with 56 match days, the playoffs will begin again in the “best of seven” mode. The last time that four wins were necessary to advance or win the title was in 2018/19. So is everything back to normal? In any case, the existential fears of the clubs that rely on spectator income have been overcome. “Yes, we are back to pre-Corona levels,” said DEL managing director Gernot Tripcke. In the new season, sales of around 150 million euros are targeted. That would be a record. The clubs and the league do not believe that spectators will be locked out again in the event of another Corona wave in the winter. Who are the favorites? The usual formula of Mannheim or Munich – the two financially strongest clubs – no longer counts for a long time. Most recently, the Eisbären Berlin were champions twice. The Grizzlys Wolfsburg are also considered by many to be among the top quartet. If there is one team that stands out, it is EHC Red Bull Munich, who got the best German goalkeeper in Mathias Niederberger from the champions in Berlin and finally wants to become champions again after five years. But most coaches see the league as more balanced than ever this season. A surprising number of clubs are flirting with the title. Will there be another relegation? At least one team ends up like the Krefeld Pinguine did last season. If the DEL2 champions meet the economic requirements and are promoted to the DEL, there will be another relegation this time. In the 2023/24 season only 14 teams will play in the league again. Where can you watch the games? Magentasport shows all games live. The opening game between the Kölner Haien and EHC Munich on Thursday (19.30 p.m.) is free to watch. Otherwise, a Magentasport subscription is necessary. What impact does the energy crisis have on energy-intensive arenas and the sport? At first probably none. At least that's what the clubs hope. Most contracts with hall operators are long-term. The immensely increased electricity prices are only likely to have a negative impact on the clubs as tenants during negotiations on possible extensions. It is unclear whether possible sponsors will withdraw in the wake of the energy crisis in order to save money. A DEL commission on the topic of sustainability has just been formed. But what exactly this does is unclear. What else is important? There are outdoor games again. This year even several. The official winter game will take place in the Cologne football stadium on December 3rd. The Haie then meet the Adler Mannheim. The Haie will also be moving to the home of 1. FC Köln on December 22nd against Bremerhaven and on January 8th against Augsburg. During this time, the Bundesliga is taking a break and the Haie are using it to compensate for scheduling problems in their traditional home of the Lanxess Arena.

OF Germany	SP	TV	P
1. Bremerhaven	51	160:115	104
2. Eisbären Berlin	51	180:132	102
3. Straubing Tigers	51	161:127	91
4. Grizzly's Wolfsburg	51	149:139	87
5. EHC Munich	51	152:129	86
6. Schwenningen	51	154:142	82
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Before the start of the DEL: This is new in German ice hockey

The German Ice Hockey League starts its 29th season on Thursday. Newly promoted Frankfurt is new to the league. There is no longer any trace of the Corona crisis.

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