From 15 games, Austria's trio has so far collected only five points and has a goal difference of minus 28. In a combined ranking of all 24 teams, this would currently only be enough for 19th place. Furthermore, champions Graz remain the only team without a point so far.
In contrast, representatives from Norway (Storhamar), Slovakia (Nitra), and France (Bordeaux) can still mathematically reach the round of 16.
A single competition can hardly be used as a definitive judgment on the quality of an entire league. However, the CHL offers a direct comparison with clubs from other European countries, and for the ICE this season, that comparison is devastating.
No Excuses Allowed
It must not be overlooked that Austria's representatives are either affected by waves of illness and injuries (Graz, KAC) or are simply in poor form (Salzburg).
Such circumstances can explain individual results. However, they are not sufficient as a justification for the historically poor performance. Tough opponents are part of the competition. Anyone who wants to compete with Europe's best clubs must measure themselves against them.
In the premier competition, the ICE faces the elite of European club ice hockey. It has certainly been proven in the past that Austrian teams can not only keep up but also make their own mark there.
This season, however – apart from a few individual moments – there is little to be seen of that.
Why is the ICE allowed to field as many teams as Switzerland?
However, the performance is not really surprising.
For quite some time, the question has arisen as to what athletically qualifies the ICE to send as many clubs to the Champions Hockey League as Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, and Germany.
League | Number of Teams |
|---|---|
SHL (Schweden) | 4 |
National League (Schweiz) | 3 |
Liiga (Finnland) | 3 |
Extraliga (Tschechien) | 3 |
DEL (Deutschland) | 3 |
win2day ICE Hockey League | 3 |
Eliteserien (Norwegen) | 1 |
Ligue Magnus (Frankreich) | 1 |
Metal Ligaen (Dänemark) | 1 |
Polska Hokej Liga (Polen) | 1 |
Extraliga (Slowakei) | 1 |
As one of the six founding leagues, the multinational league has three spots in the field of 24 teams. But a historical role alone cannot permanently be an argument for a certain number of starting places.
The decisive factor should be how competitive a league's representatives actually are in international comparison.
Playing Level Has Declined
A possible cause for the historical low point lies in the shifting power dynamics within the ICE.
League representatives, clubs – and yes, even the media – regularly emphasize which top-class players do not move to these parts. This is an argument intended to speak for the league's attractiveness and quality.
However, the international results paint a different picture. In 2021/22, all three ICE representatives still reached the round of 16, but since then, at most one team has done so each season.
At the same time, the impression arises that the overall playing level has declined in recent years. The CHL results at least provide a reason to take a closer look.
Balance is Not a Good Sign
One indication could be the balance that prevails, especially among the top teams.
Similar to football, where major international successes have recently been rare, the argument that anyone can beat anyone is attractive and easy to market.
However, balance is not automatically a sign of high quality. It can also mean that no team stands out significantly from the competition anymore.
If a league no longer has a clear sporting benchmark, it may also lack a team against which the other clubs can orient themselves and measure their performance.
Salzburg and KAC are no longer benchmarks
For many years, Salzburg, as serial champions, and KAC, as record champions, fulfilled this role.
The fact that both clubs have to make do with more modest means in the transfer market due to limited financial resources further complicates the situation.
The rising prices in the player market in recent years do not make it easier to improve the squad qualitatively.
The Incentive to Succeed Exists
In any case, the incentive to succeed in the Champions Hockey League is there.
On the one hand, the premier competition offers an international stage where players can recommend themselves for higher challenges. It also provides a change from everyday league life and can trigger a turnaround when things aren't going well in the domestic championship.
However, it can also be perceived as a burden. Not just athletically: the early September dates are not exactly popular with fans and teams. Above all, though, the CHL presents clubs with financial challenges.
Travel across Europe, additional games, and sometimes modest spectator interest can weigh on the financial balance sheet. Long away trips are particularly costly, such as Salzburg had to contend with this season with three guest appearances in Sweden.
CHL Future Uncertain
That is also why the future of the Champions Hockey League is repeatedly discussed. The current contract with marketer Infront expires in 2028.
An offer at significantly lower terms – a reported 50 percent reduction compared to the current contract – was rejected by the CHL.
"If the CHL is laid to rest, then there will be no European club competition for a long time," a Swiss club official is quoted by the "NZZ".
Loss for the ICE?
This would not only be a loss for European club ice hockey, but also for the ICE.
Because without regular international comparison, an important opportunity to check one's own performance outside the domestic league would be lost.
This season's results do not definitively prove that the ICE has lost touch with Europe's top leagues. However, they are a clear warning. Anyone who claims three starting places must also provide sporting arguments for it.
Should the premier competition actually disappear, the ICE would not be stronger for it. It would merely become more difficult to verify its quality in international comparison.
