Swedish Hockey League

Swedish Hockey League

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Wikipedia - Swedish Hockey League

The Swedish Hockey League (officially SHL; Swedish: Svenska Hockeyligan) is a professional ice hockey league, and the highest division in the Swedish ice hockey system. The league currently consists of 14 teams. The league was founded in 1975, and while Swedish ice hockey champions have been crowned through various formats since 1922, the title and the Le Mat Trophy have been awarded to the winner of the SHL playoffs since the league's inaugural 1975–76 season.

The league was founded in 1975 as the Elitserien (in English the Swedish Elite League or SEL), and initially featured 10 teams, though this was expanded to 12 for the 1987–88 season. The league was renamed the SHL in 2013, and in 2014, a number of format changes were announced, including an expansion to 14 teams to be finalized prior to the 2015–16 season, and a new format for promotion from and relegation to HockeyAllsvenskan, the second tier league.

Teams from the SHL participate in the IIHF's annual Champions Hockey League (CHL), competing for the European Trophy. Participation is based on the strength of the various leagues in Europe (excluding the European/Asian Kontinental Hockey League). Going into the 2022–23 CHL season, the SHL was ranked the No. 1 league in Europe, allowing them to send their top five teams to compete in the CHL.

History

The Swedish Ice Hockey Championship was awarded for the first time in 1922, only two years after ice hockey was introduced in Sweden by the American film director Raoul Le Mat. At this point, the Swedish Championships were held as a separate tournament. It was not until the 1952–53 season that the championship was awarded to the winner of the top-tier hockey league, which at the time was Division I.

Expansion

The inaugural Elitserien season began on 5 October 1975, with the league consisting of 10 teams, each playing one another four times—two at home and two on the road—for a total of 36 games. There has been extensive discussion about the number of teams in the SHL. The league had 12 teams for over 20 years since an expansion from 10 teams in 1987, however, there was general agreement among hockey experts that the league needed to be expanded by at least two more teams. They meant that, apart from just the economic situation for some of the clubs, the competition from HockeyAllsvenskan had shown that more teams were needed in the top-tier league SHL. On 13 March 2014, the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan announced that the SHL would be expanded to 14 teams, starting in the 2015–16 season. To make this change happen, at least two HockeyAllsvenskan teams would be promoted to the SHL in the 2014–15 season.

European-level play

In 2009, Håkan Loob, the general manager of Färjestad BK, sent a letter to Alexander Medvedev, the owner and president of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League, on behalf of five SHL teams – Färjestad, Frölunda, Djurgården, Linköping and HV71 – that were reportedly "interested in discussing the future of European hockey". It was believed that these five teams had intended to leave the SHL league after the 2009–10 season; they terminated their shareholders' agreements with Hockeyligan, the name at that time for the SHL's interest organisation. The teams also formed an interest group to investigate the possibility of forming a continental hockey league spanning several European countries. These plans were abandoned in November 2011, however, with Frölunda's chairman expressing hopes for the future of the European Trophy (which was disbanded with the formation of the Champions Hockey League in 2013).

Renaming

On 17 June 2013, the league was renamed "Svenska hockeyligan", since this would allow for an easy English translation ("Swedish Hockey League") and a common acronym in the two languages ("SHL"), all of which was considered to be a better brand identity for investment.

The Swedish Hockey League (SHL) is the premier ice hockey tournament in Sweden, showcasing the highest level of professional ice hockey in the country. Founded in 1922, the SHL has a rich history and is widely regarded as one of the top ice hockey leagues in Europe.

The tournament features 14 teams from across Sweden, including some of the most iconic and successful ice hockey clubs in the country. These teams compete against each other in a regular season, followed by playoffs to determine the ultimate champion.

The SHL is known for its fast-paced and highly skilled gameplay, with teams consisting of talented players from around the world. Many NHL players have honed their skills in the SHL before making their mark in the North American league.

The tournament attracts a passionate fan base, with supporters filling arenas across the country to cheer on their favorite teams. The atmosphere during SHL games is electric, with fans creating a vibrant and energetic environment.

In addition to the thrilling on-ice action, the SHL also focuses on developing young talent through its junior programs. The league places a strong emphasis on player development, nurturing the next generation of Swedish ice hockey stars.

The Swedish Hockey League is not only a highly competitive tournament but also a symbol of national pride. It represents the pinnacle of ice hockey in Sweden and showcases the country's passion for the sport. Whether you are a die-hard ice hockey fan or simply looking for an exciting sporting event, the SHL offers an unforgettable experience filled with skill, intensity, and the thrill of the game.