Dresdener Eislöwen triumphantly joins the Deutsche Eishockey Liga with great enthusiasm
The city of Dresden is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in its ice hockey history, as the Dresden Ice Lions (Dresdner Eislöwen) prepare for their first-ever season in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). The team, representing the Saxony region and the city of Dresden, will make their debut on January 10 at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, with a capacity of 4,412 spectators.
The Ice Lions have made some strategic moves to bolster their roster, signing prominent, long-serving DEL veterans like Julius Hudacek, Austin Ortega, and Trevor Parkes. Parkes and his teammate Drew LeBlanc, who have been granted German passports after many years in the country, will bring valuable experience to the team.
The team has also secured the services of experienced coach Niklas Sundblad, who is expected to guide the Ice Lions through their inaugural DEL season.
The Dresden Ice Lions' season opener will also mark the new East Derby, as they take on defending champion Eisbären Berlin. The excitement surrounding the Ice Lions' first-ever promotion to the DEL should be exploited, as the league's economic expansion is reaching its limits.
Meanwhile, the relegation of eight-time champion DEG threatens to lose attention and viewers. However, the Kölner Haie, arch-rival of DEG, are saddened by the relegation and hope that a location like Düsseldorf, with its rich tradition and strong fan base, can return quickly.
DEL CEO Gernot Tripcke mentioned that Germany has been underserved in the DEL era, especially after 1997. He also stated that there is a huge buzz around the Dresden Ice Lions, and the catchment area and attention are immense. Eisbären sports director Stéphane Richer expressed that it's a shame that the DEG, a big brand in German hockey, is no longer in the DEL.
The Ice Lions' home arena, the WM Arena in Düsseldorf, which will host the 2027 World Championships, has a capacity of over 13,000 and has shown good attendance. It's worth noting that a winter game in a football stadium is being organized for the second year in a row.
Frankfurt's sporting director Jan Barta believes that the Dresden Ice Lions should not be underestimated. As the newcomer to the DEL, the Ice Lions are the first East German club to play in the league in nearly 30 years.
The DEL is unlikely to break last season's record of 3.3 million spectators, but the addition of the Dresden Ice Lions is sure to bring a fresh wave of enthusiasm to the league. With their solid budget of 8.5 million euros and a dedicated fan base, the Ice Lions are poised to make a significant impact in the DEL.
