ICEHL or better known as EBEL, is the top ice hockey league in Austria. The league’s history dates back to 1923, the first year they announced a team (Wiener EV) an Austrian hockey champion. However, the current format of the ICEHL league only goes back until 2003 when the Erste Bank became the naming sponsor. 2006 was also a milestone in the league’s life. It was the first year when the first non Austrian hockey team could join the fight for the title: Jesenice (Slovenia) After them multiple international teams had the chance to try themselves out against the top teams of Austria: In 2007/2008 Fehervar AV19 (Hungary) and Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), in 2008/2009 Medvescak Zagreb (Croatia), in 2011/2012 Orli Znojmo (Czech), in 2013/2014 HC Bolzano (Italy) and finally in 2020/2021 the first Slovakian team the Bratislava Capitals also made and entry into ICEHL. In the current year, there are in total 11 teams participating in the ICEHL league. The teams are representing four different countries from the Central Eastern European region. These four countries are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia. The 8 teams from Austria are coming from Vienna (Spusu Vienna Capitals), Graz (Moser Medical Graz99ers), Klagenfurt (EC-KAC), Linz (Black Wings 1992), Villach (EC Grand Immo VSV), Salzburg (EC Red Bull Salzburg), Innsbruck (HC TWK Innsbruck ‘Die Haie’) and Dornbirn (Dornbirn Bulldogs). HCB Südtirol Alperia is one of the most successful teams from Italy, Bolzano. Hydro Fehervar AV19 is Hungary’s top team from Szekesfehervar, and Iclinic Bratislava Capitals is the newcomer from Slovakia, first time joining the ICEHL, Austria’s number one hockey championship. Let's take a look at these teams in a bit more detail:

Ranking in terms of founding year:
 

1. EC KAC (Klagenfurt) - 1909

2. HCB SÜDTIROL ALPERIA (Bolzano) - 1933

3. EC GRAND IMMO VSV (Villach) - 1923

4. HYDRO FEHERVAR AV19 (Szekesfehervar) - 1960

5. BLACK WINGS 1992 (Linz) - 1992

6. DORNBIRN BULLDOGS (Dornbirn) - 1992

7. HC TWK INNSBRUCK ‘DIE HAIE’ (Innsbruck) - 1994

8. EC RED BULL SALZBURG (Salzburg) - 1995

9. MOSER MEDICAL GRAZ99ERS (Graz) - 1999

10. SPUSU VIENNA CAPITALS (Vienna) - 2000

11. ICLINIC BRATISLAVA CAPITALS (Bratislava) - 2015

Ranking in terms of rink capacity:

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1. HC Bozen
   
   The HC Bozen team hails from Bolzano, Italy, and competes at the Sparkasse Arena. With a substantial capacity of 7,220, this arena, established in 1994, provides an exciting venue for fans to gather and support their team.
    

2. Vienna Capitals
   
   In the heart of Vienna, the Vienna Capitals team commands attention at the Steffl Arena. This modern facility, established in 1995, offers an impressive capacity of 7,022, creating an electric atmosphere for fans to enjoy.
    

3. HK Olimpija Ljubljana
   
   The HK Olimpija Ljubljana team represents Ljubljana and competes at the Hala Tivoli. With roots dating back to 1962, this arena has a capacity of 7,000, creating an energetic atmosphere for ice hockey enthusiasts.
    

4. Pioneers Vorarlberg
   
   The Pioneers Vorarlberg ice hockey team calls Vorarlberghalle in Feldkirch its home. This arena, established in 1977, boasts a capacity of 5,200, providing a vibrant space for fans to cheer on their team.
    

5. EHC Linz
   
   The EHC Linz team takes to the ice at the Linzer Eissporthalle in Linz. This venue, established in 1986, offers a generous seating capacity of 4,865, ensuring a lively and energetic environment for each game.
    

6. EC VSV
   
   The EC VSV team proudly represents Villach, competing at the Stadthalle Villach. Established in 1969, this arena can host 4,500 spectators, fostering a strong sense of community support for the team.
    

7. EC KAC
   
   The EC KAC team has its roots at the Eissportzentrum Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt. Established in 1959, this arena can host up to 4,409 enthusiastic fans, providing a historic backdrop for the team's performances.
    

8. Graz 99ers
   
   In Graz, the Graz 99ers hockey team competes at the Eisstadion Graz-Liebenau. This venue has a history dating back to 1963 and can accommodate up to 4,050 spectators, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere for matches.
    

9. Fehérvár Alba Volán
   
   The Fehérvár Alba Volán team's home base is the Ifjabb Ocskay Gábor Jégcsarnok in Székesfehérvár. Established in 1991, this arena accommodates up to 3,500 fans, offering a lively setting for fans to cheer on their team.
    

10. EC Red Bull Salzburg
    
    The EC Red Bull Salzburg team finds its home at the Eisarena Salzburg in Salzburg. With origins dating back to 1960, this arena accommodates up to 3,200 fans, offering a space where the team can showcase their skills.
     

11. HC Pustertal
    The HC Pustertal team has found its home at the Intercable Arena in Brunico, Italy. Despite being a recent addition in 2021, this arena already hosts enthusiastic fans, with a capacity of 3,100.
     

12. HC Innsbruck
    
    The HC Innsbruck team plays its home games at the Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck. This modern arena, opened in 2005, offers a seating capacity of 3,058, allowing fans to witness the excitement up close.
     

13. Asiago Hockey
    
    Asiago Hockey's home is the Pala Hodegart in Asiago. This arena, which dates back to 1977, provides seating for 3,000 fans, allowing the community to rally behind their local team.
     

EC KAC:

The oldest team in the league with a founding year of 1909. KAC is also famous for winning the most Austrian Ice Hockey Championships, a total of 31 times. Klagenfurt is also the team that has won the ICEHL championship in 2019 so we can confidently say they are one of the strongest teams in the league. In total they have won 4 times the ICEHL champion title during the past almost 20 years. Their home ice is at Stadthalle Klagenfurt that has 5,500 capacity which makes it the 5th biggest arena in the league. The team during the 2020/2021 ICEHL season is led by 2 Finnish coaches: Petri Matikainen and Juha Vuori. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 22 Austrian, 2 Canadian, 2 Slovenian, 1 Dannish, 1 swedish and 1 player from the USA.

HCB SÜDTIROL ALPERIA:

HC Bolzano joined the Austrian hockey league rather late, only during the 2013/2014 season, but their entrance was memorable. During their first year they won the ICEHL championship as newcomers and since then they continue to be a tough opponent for all teams.

Their home ice is at PalaOnda - Bolzano, and it has a capacity of 7,220 people, which makes it the 2nd biggest arena in the league. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the HC Bolzano team is led by a Canadian head coach and an Italian assistant coach: Greg Ireland and Fabio Armani. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 13 Italian, 10 Canadian and 2 players from the USA.

EC GRAND IMMO VSV:

VSV joined the league in 1977 which makes them the 2nd oldest member of ICEHL. Through the years they managed to win the Austrian championship 6 times and the ICEHL one time in 2006.. Their biggest rival is obviously their neighbour the KAC.

Their home ice is at Villacher Stadthalle - Villach, and it has a capacity of 4800 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the VSV hockey team is led by a Canadian head coach and an Austrian assistant coach: Dan Ceman and Marco Pewal. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 14 Austrian, 5 Canadian, 3 German, 2 American, 1 Danish and 1 player from Latvia.

HYDRO FEHERVAR AV19:

The first Hungarian team to join the prestigious Austrian hockey league. The team has been a steady member of the ICEHL league since 2007. Their scoring record is not the best as they only made it to the playoffs 5 times out of 13 seasons. However, they are a tough opponent to all teams, especially on home ice as their fans are one of the loudest in the league.
Their home ice is at Ifjabb Ocskay Gábor Ice Hall - Szekesfehervar, and it has a capacity of 3,600 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the AVS hockey team is led by a Finnish head coach and a Hungarian assistant coach: Antti Karhula and David Kiss. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 16 Hungarian, 4 Canadian, 1 Finnish, 1 Italian, 1 Slovenian and 1 player from the USA.

BLACK WINGS 1992:
 

One of the most feared teams in the league, especially during the 2020/2021 ICEHL season. In 2012, the team won the EBEL championship and in almost all of the other years they made it to the playoffs. 

Their home ice is at Donauhalle - Linz, and it has a capacity of 3,800 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the BWI hockey team is led by a Canadian head coach and an Austrian assistant coach: Pierre Beaulieu and Jürgen Penker. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 16 Austrian, 6 Canadian, 2 Finnish, 1 Slovenian and 1 player from Sweden.

DORNBIRN BULLDOGS:

A relatively young team in the league. They only joined ICEHL in 2012 and since then they made it to the playoffs only 3 times. 

Their home ice is at Messestadion - Dornbirn, and it has a capacity of 4,270 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the Bulldogs are led by a Finnish head coach and a Canadian assistant coach: Kai Suikkanen and Rick Nasheim. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 14 Austrian, 4 Canadian, 3 American, 2 Finnish, 2 Swedish and 1 player from Latvia.

HC TWK INNSBRUCK ‘DIE HAIE’:

Innsbruck was a member of the league since its founding date of 2003. However from 2009 until 2012 they were not able to join ICEHL due to financial reasons. Upon winning the second league in 2012 the team has re-joined the top league and has been a member since. During the past 8 years they made it to the playoffs 2 times. In 2020/2021 season Innsbruck is the youngest team in the ICEHL with an average age of 24.5, 1 year younger than the runner up Red Bull Salzburg. 

Their home ice is at Tyrolean Ice Arena  - Innsbruck, and it has a capacity of 3,200 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the HCI team is led by a Canadian head coach and an Austrian assistant coach: Mitch O'Keefe and Florian Pedevilla. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 14 Austrian, 6 Canadian, 4 American, 1 Czech and 1 player from Norway.
 

EC RED BULL SALZBURG:

The most successful ICEHL team, winning 6 championship titles since they joined the league in 2004. The team has a really strong financial background thanks to Red Bull. Their hockey academy is very famous in Europe and their constant presence in the playoffs proves that they know what they are doing. 

Their home ice is at Eisarena Salzburg - Salzburg, and it has a capacity of 3,600 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the RBS team is led by an American head coach and a German assistant coach: Matt McIlvane and Kris Sparre. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 17 Austrian, 3 Canadian, 3 German, 2 American, 1 Italian and 1 Swedish player. 
 

MOSER MEDICAL GRAZ99ERS (Graz):

The team has joined ICEHL in 2003 but out of the past 17 years they have not yet won the championship but made it to the playoffs 8 times out of which two times they los tin the semifinals. 

Their home ice is at Merkur Eisstadion - Graz, and it has a capacity of 4,126 people. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the G99 team is led by the Canadian/Dutch head coach Doug Mason. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 14 Austrian, 5 Canadian, 3 American , 2 Slovenian, 1 English, 1 German and 1 Swedish player. 

SPUSU VIENNA CAPITALS (Vienna):

Vienna capitals have won the ICEHL championship 2 times since they joined (2005, 2017). Similar to Red Bull Salzburg they have also made it to the playoffs except for their first year. Out of these they have played 5 time the championship game and 7 times the semifinal games. 

Their home ice is at Albert Schultz Eishalle - Vienna, and it has a capacity of 7,022 people which is the 3rd largest hockey rink in the league. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the VIC team is led by the Canadian head coach Dave Cameron and the Austrian assistant coach Christian Dolezal. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 22 Austrian, 5 Canadian and 2 players from the USA.

ICLINIC BRATISLAVA CAPITALS (Bratislava):

The youngest team in the ICEHL championship with a founding date of 2015. Since then they have been participating in the Slovakian 2nd league with the most successful season being the 2019/2020 one that ended without playoffs. The results of the last season shows that their rebranding was successful and that they are ready to make a debut in this stronger league. The Slovakian Capitals is going to be the tallest, the heaviest and the oldest team in the league in 2020/2021 with an average weight of 87.33kg and average height of 185.81 cm and an average age of 27.78 years. 

Their home ice is at Ondrej Nepela Arena - Bratislava, and it has a capacity of 10,055 people which makes it the biggest hockey rink in the league. During the 2020/2021 ICEHL season, the BRC team is led by the Czech head coach Rostislav Cada. In this season of ICEHL the team employs 23 Slovakian, 2 Canadian, 1 Swedish and 1 American player.