Machine-translated from Hungarian.
Following a year of preparatory training, the second-tier ice hockey league, the Andersen League, is set to begin.
The reorganised second-tier ice hockey league is set to kick off with nine teams taking part; its title sponsor is Andersen Hungary, one of the leading players in the Hungarian consultancy market. The Andersen League comprises teams from the lower division of the U21 championship and teams from the former OB II league.
Teams entered in the Andersen League: Dél-Budai HC Farkasok, DAB-ASP, FTC-Telekom, Goodwill Pharma Szegedi Vízmű, Lehel HC, MAC Ikonok, Sportországi Cápák, UNI GYŐR ETO HC, Worm Angels. The league features young talents and experienced players, former internationals and Erste Liga champions, so we can look forward to some exciting and interesting matches.
“Some U21 teams are competing in the Andersen League alongside the lower division of the U21 league, and our former OB II teams are also competing there. Each team operates under different circumstances, so some will field former Erste Liga players, whilst others will field U21 squads. In principle, this is a U25 league, but to enhance competitiveness, players over the age of 25 may also take part; clubs will make use of this option to varying degrees,” – said Attila Somogyi, head of the association’s competition office and manager of the Andersen League.
The regular season runs from 8 October to 25 February, followed by the play-offs, in which the top eight teams qualify. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are played as best-of-two series, whilst the final is a best-of-three series.
“I am convinced that, for the long-term development of Hungarian ice hockey, we absolutely need a solid foundation – a second division that maintains high professional standards – just as is the case in many other team sports. These elements must build on one another: you cannot build a castle by constructing only the top level – the tower – with nothing beneath it. It is nothing short of a miracle that the overall standard of Hungarian ice hockey has not suffered seriously over the past ten years, despite the lack of a proper second division. “With the support of the Andersen League, we would like to change this,” said Károly Radnai, managing partner of the main sponsor, Andersen, who previously held the position of vice-chairman of the MOL League.
Andersen is a US-based group of firms providing tax and legal services; its Hungarian subsidiary serves its clients with a team of nearly 100 staff. Andersen Hungary has been supporting the work of the MJSZ and the development of Hungarian ice hockey in various ways for over 10 years.
First-round fixtures: 8 October, Saturday 7.00 pm Lehel HC v Goodwill Pharma Szegedi Vízmű 7.00 pm FTC-Telekom v Dél-Budai HC Farkasok 7.00 pm Sportországi Cápák v DAB-ASP 9 October, Sunday 17.30 Worm Angels v UNI Győr ETO HC Day off: MAC Ikonok
Source: jegkorongszovetseg.hu