View source for Deutsche Eishockey Liga

{{Infobox Sports league
| title          = Deutsche Eishockey Liga
| current_season = 2023–24 DEL season
| logo           = DEL-logo.png
| pixels         = 250px
| caption        =
| Formerly       = [[Eishockey-Bundesliga]]
| sport          = Ice hockey
| founded        = 1994
| ceo            =
| teams          = 15
| country        = Germany
| champion       = [[Eisbären Berlin]]
| most_champs    = [[Eisbären Berlin]] (10)
| folded         =
| TV             = Servus TV
| website        = [http://www.del.org/ www.del.org]
| related_comps  = [[DEL2]]<br>[[Oberliga]]
}}

The '''Deutsche Eishockey Liga''' (''German Ice Hockey League'', shortname DEL) is a [[Germany|German]] professional ice hockey league that was founded in 1994. It was formed as a replacement for the [[Ice hockey Bundesliga]] and is now known as '''DEL - Die 1. Bundesliga'''. Unlike the old Bundesliga, the DEL is not under the administration of the German Ice Hockey Federation. The DEL currently has the highest number of American and Canadian players outside of North America.

[[File:Deutsche Eishockey Liga Logo 1994.png|thumb|150px|Former DEL logo (1994–1996). The first two seasons were sponsored by Krombacher Brewery]]
[[File:Deutsche Eishockey Liga Logo 1997.png|thumb|150px|Former DEL logo (1997–2001)]]
[[File:Deutsche Eishockey Liga Logo 2000.png|thumb|150px|Former DEL logo (2001–2011)]]
==History==
The [[Ice hockey Bundesliga|Eishockey-Bundesliga]] (English:Federal Ice Hockey League) was formed in 1957 as the elite hockey competition in the Federal Republic of Germany, replacing the Oberliga in this position. It was in turn replaced by the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), which now also carries the name 1st Bundesliga in its logo.

The DEL was founded in the 1994–95 season, consisting of teams from the Eishockey-Bundesliga's 1st and 2nd divisions. The condition of these earlier leagues had become intolerable. Many 1st and 2nd division teams were heavily in debt. The 2nd division attracted few sponsors and spectators. As a result, many clubs were forced to fold or withdraw to the lower leagues. Fans and corporate sponsors focused on the 1st Bundesliga teams, forcing the elite teams to invest heavily in players to avoid relegation. This increased budgets 25 percent over the previous two years.

In the final Bundesliga season, 1993–94, only 11 teams wanted to play in the 2nd Bundesliga. Furthermore, two teams folded during and after the season. Ice hockey's reputation in Germany was heavily tarnished. This made it difficult to attract serious sponsorship. In January 1994, 20 out of the remaining 21 1st and 2nd Bundesliga teams voted for creating a new entity, the DEL.

Upon founding, the "DEL Betriebsgesellschaft mbH" was the first German professional sports league managed by an organization whose members where incorporated as well. The goal behind the DEL was to create a league, based on the model of the North American NHL, in which teams could play consistently without relegation concerns and create a stable league. Clubs in the DEL were required to conform to rules, which were designed to ensure long-term viability. Twelve clubs from the old 1st Bundesliga, and six from the 2nd Bundesliga came together as founding members. The new league immediately attracted corporate sponsorship with the Krombacher Brewery, which was prominently featured on the new league logo.

The hope of avoiding the troubles of the old Bundesliga by stricter financial controls did not materialize. During DEL's initial season, on December 18, 1994, the Bundesliga's final champion, the renamed EC Hedos München, folded. This was controversial, as DEL's president Franz Hofherr had approved their license and certified their finances. Hofherr was Mad Dogs former president and it was alleged that he must have known about their desperate financial situation.

The Bosman ruling, a 1995 decision of the European Court of Justice regarding the movement of labor in soccer, had profound influence on the league. The old Bundesliga had national character with German clubs competing for the German title using mostly German players. After the ruling European Union players were excluded from the "foreign" player quota. In the 1995–96 season following the decision, the DEL teams employed 97 EU players. This lowered costs significantly, enabling smaller teams to compete more effectively. However, frequent player moves were not viewed positively by the fans, resulting in smaller attendance numbers.

Following an agreement with the DEB the league renamed itself as "DEL - Die 1. Bundesliga" in the 1999–2000 season, while reintroducing relegation and promotion to/from the 2nd Ice Hockey Bundesliga.

The 2004–05 season was significant due to the NHL lockout. 26 NHL players came to play the season in the DEL, including Jamie Langenbrunner, Erik Cole, Stéphane Robidas, Doug Weight, Mike York and several German national team players -- Jochen Hecht, Olaf Kölzig, and Marco Sturm.

==Teams==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
! Team
! City/Area
! Founded
! Arena
! Capacity
|-
| '''[[Augsburger Panther]]'''
| [[Augsburg]]
| align=center | 1878
| [[Curt Frenzel Stadium]]
| align=center | 7,774
|-
| '''[[Eisbären Berlin]]'''
| [[Berlin]]
| align=center | 1954
| [[Mercedes-Benz Arena (Berlin)|Mercedes-Benz Arena]]
| align=center | 14,200
|-
| '''[[Düsseldorfer EG]]'''
| [[Düsseldorf]]
| align=center | 1935
| [[ISS Dome]]
| align=center | 13,400
|-
| '''[[Fischtown Pinguins]]'''
| [[Bremerhaven]]
| align=center | 1974
| [[Eisarena Bremerhaven]]
| align=center | 4,254
|-
| '''[[ERC Ingolstadt]]'''
| [[Ingolstadt]]
| align=center | 1964
| [[Saturn Arena]]
| align=center | 4,815
|-
| '''[[Iserlohn Roosters]]'''
| [[Iserlohn]]
| align=center | 1959
| [[Eissporthalle Iserlohn]]
| align=center | 4,967
|-
| '''[[Kölner Haie]]'''
| [[Cologne]]
| align=center | 1972
| [[Lanxess Arena]]
| align=center | 18,500
|-
| '''[[Krefeld Pinguine]]'''
| [[Krefeld]]
| align=center | 1936
| [[König Palast]]
| align=center | 9,000
|-
| '''[[Adler Mannheim]]'''
| [[Mannheim]]
| align=center | 1938
| [[SAP Arena]]
| align=center | 13,600
|-
| '''[[EHC München|EHC Red Bull München]]'''
| [[Munich]]
| align=center | 1998
| [[Olympia Eishalle]]
| align=center | 6,136
|-
| '''[[Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers]]'''
| [[Nuremberg]]
| align=center | 1980
| [[Nuremberg Arena|Arena Nürnberger Versicherung]]
| align=center | 9,400
|-
| '''[[Schwenninger Wild Wings]]'''
| [[Villingen-Schwenningen|Schwenningen]]
| align=center | 1904
| [[Helios Arena]]
| align=center | 6,215
|-
| '''[[Straubing Tigers]]'''
| [[Straubing]]
| align=center | 1948
| [[Eisstadion am Pulverturm]]
| align=center | 6,000
|-
| '''[[EHC Wolfsburg|Grizzlys Wolfsburg]]'''
| [[Wolfsburg]]
| align=center | 1975
| [[Eisarena Wolfsburg]]
| align=center | 4,660
|-
|}

===Former teams===
{{col-begin||20em}}
* [[BSC Preussen|BSC Preussen Berlin]]<br><small>later ''BSchC Preussen'', dissolved 2005<br>refounded as ''Eissport & Schlittschuh Club 2007 Berlin''</small>
* [[Frankfurt Lions]] <br><small>dissolved 5 July 2010 due to bankruptcy</small><ref>{{cite web | url=http://frankfurt-lions-gmbh.de/pages/news/topnews.php | title=Frankfurt Lions akzeptieren Entscheidung der DEL | publisher=frankfurt-lions-gmbh.de | language=German | accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref></small>
* [[Füchse Duisburg]]
* [[Lausitzer Füchse|ESG Füchse Sachsen Weißwasser/Chemnitz]]<br><small>now Lausitzer Füchse</small>
* [[Hamburg Freezers]] <br><small>ceased operations 24 May 2016</small><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hamburg-freezers.de/html/News_8bfa3900-6cd7-4284-8da9-a8c9be7a5e80.html | title=Hamburg Freezers beantragen keine DEL-Lizenz für die Saison 2016/17 | publisher=hamburg-freezers.de | language=German | date=2016-05-24 | accessdate=2016-05-24}}</ref></small><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hamburg-freezers.de/html/News_d60195c1-94e5-4cc1-89a0-a11ec20b3d25.html | title=Hamburg Freezers werden keine DEL-Lizenz für die saison 2016/17 beantragen | publisher=hamburg-freezers.de | language=German | date=2016-05-18 | accessdate=2016-05-24}}</ref></small>
* [[Hannover Indians|EC Hannover]]<br><small>now Hannover Indians</small>
* [[Hannover Scorpions]]
* [[Kassel Huskies]]<br><small>dissolved 27 August 2010 due to bankruptcy</small><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.huskies-online.de/aktuell/presse/presse.cfm?suche=1754 | title=OLG Köln besiegelt DEL-Aus, Team siegt trotzdem noch einmal | publisher=www.huskies-online.de | language=German | date=2010-08-27 | accessdate=2010-09-01}}</ref></small>
* [[ESV Kaufbeuren|Kaufbeurer Adler]]
* [[Landshut Cannibals|EV Landshut]]
* [[Maddogs München]]<br><small>dissolved 1994 due to bankruptcy</small>
* [[Essen Mosquitoes|Moskitos Essen]]
* [[Munich Barons]]<br><small>relocated in 2002 to become Hamburg Freezers</small>
* [[Ratinger Löwen|EC Ratingen "Die Löwen"]]<br><small>relocated in 1997 to become Revierlöwen Oberhausen</small>
* [[Revierlöwen Oberhausen]]
* [[Starbulls Rosenheim]]
* [[SC Riessersee]]
* [[EHC Freiburg|Wölfe Freiburg]]
{{col-end}}

==League regulations==
The DEL is an independently run league, fully owned and operated by its 14 member teams. Each team must fulfill the ''DEL's'' basic requirements to remain in the league:
* A written application for membership;
* "On ice qualification" for new teams (championship in the 2nd Bundesliga);
* A stadium that meets DEL standards;
* Financial qualification;
* Formation of an ordinary company (the DEL consists of franchises);
* Development program for young players; and
* Purchase of a license (currently, the licensing fee is set at € 800,000.00)

The DEL can only admit one 2nd Bundesliga team per season to the league, unless the league strength falls below fourteen, in which case two clubs can be admitted. Since the 2006–07 season, no DEL team can be automatically relegated, a team can only lose its league status through non-compliance with the leagues regulations (see above).

From the 2008–09 season on, each DEL club will only be allowed to have ten non-EEC players under contract.

The ''ESBG'' guarantees to admit any DEL team wishing to step down to the lower 2nd Bundesliga or Oberliga. The team, however, has to purchase a license (licensing fees for the 2nd Bundesliga are currently set at € 100,000.00).

To regulate the relationship between the DEL, the ''DEB'' and the ''ESBG'' (2nd Bundesliga), a so called ''Kooperationsvertrag'' exists. This ''cooperation contract'' was signed in December 2005., and is valid until 2011. This contract ended years of dispute between the three organizations over competencies and financial issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.del.org/fileadmin/content/downloads/vorstellung_kooperationsvertrag.pdf |format=PDF | title=Kooperationsvertrages | language=German | publisher=DEL |accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.del.org/index.php?id=39 | title=Fragen zur DEL | language=German | publisher=DEL |accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref>

In November 2007, the DEL announced another change in policy. The league expanded to allow 16 teams beginning in the 2008–09 season, resulting in direct promotion for the [[2nd Bundesliga]] league champions, should they fulfill all requirements and be interested in joining the DEL. Should this not be the case, or a current DEL team resigns from the league, a selection process would determine the club, or clubs, who would be eligible to join in order required to archive 16 teams. ''(Note: Füchse Duisburg resigned before the 2009-2010 season and was not replaced until the following season.)''

Additionally, a new format for the game schedule will limit the number of regular season games to 52 for each team. This is achieved by each team playing four games against eleven others and two games against the remaining four. To determine which teams play which, the final standings of the previous season are used.

The DEL would also reintroduce promotion once more. The first- and second-lowest ranked teams will play a best-of-seven series to determine which team faces the 2nd Bundesliga champion for a place in the league. There is, however, an ongoing dispute about those games as second division teams may only have five foreign players on contract, and therefore face a handicap in comparison to the DEL teams with twelve import players each.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeyweb.de/artikel.php?a=32407 | title=DEL: Neuer Modus mit Auf- und Abstieg | language=German | publisher=Hockeyweb.de | date=2007-11-21 | accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref> For now, the ''ESBG'' has declared that no team from the 2nd Bundesliga would take part in these matches and therefore no promotion/relegation with the DEL will take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/eishockey/startseite/artikel/376298 | title=DEL: Kein Auf- und Abstieg | language=German | publisher=kicker.de | date=2008-03-14 | accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref>

==DEL seasons==
===Past champions===

<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;">
* [[2023–24 DEL season|2023–24]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2022–23 DEL season|2022–23]] [[EHC München]]
* [[2021–22 DEL season|2021–22]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2020–21 DEL season|2020–21]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2019–20 DEL season|2019–20]] [[EHC München]] (RS)
* [[2018–19 DEL season|2018–19]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[2017–18 DEL season|2017–18]] [[EHC München]]
* [[2016–17 DEL season|2016–17]] [[EHC München]]
* [[2015–16 DEL season|2015–16]] [[EHC München]]
* [[2014–15 DEL season|2014–15]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[2013–14 DEL season|2013–14]] [[ERC Ingolstadt]]
* [[2012–13 DEL season|2012–13]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2011–12 DEL season|2011–12]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2010–11 DEL season|2010–11]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2009–10 DEL season|2009–10]] [[Hannover Scorpions]]
* [[2008–09 DEL season|2008–09]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2007–08 DEL season|2007–08]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2006–07 DEL season|2006–07]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[2005–06 DEL season|2005–06]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2004–05 DEL season|2004–05]] [[Eisbären Berlin]]
* [[2003–04 DEL season|2003–04]] [[Frankfurt Lions]]
* [[2002–03 DEL season|2002–03]] [[Krefeld Pinguine]]
* [[2001–02 DEL season|2001–02]] [[Kölner Haie]]
* [[2000–01 DEL season|2000–01]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[1999–2000 DEL season|1999–00]] [[Munich Barons]]
* [[1998–99 DEL season|1998–99]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[1997–98 DEL season|1997–98]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[1996–97 DEL season|1996–97]] [[Adler Mannheim]]
* [[1995–96 DEL season|1995–96]] [[Düsseldorfer EG]]
* [[1994–95 DEL season|1994–95]] [[Kölner Haie]]
</div>

===All-time standings===
33 clubs have played in the DEL since founding, with 14 currently playing. The 1994 standing represents the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Club
! No.
! [[1993–94 ice hockey Bundesliga season|94]]
! [[1994–95 DEL season|95]]
! [[1995–96 DEL season|96]]
! [[1996–97 DEL season|97]]
! [[1997–98 DEL season|98]]
! [[1998–99 DEL season|99]]
! [[1999–2000 DEL season|00]]
! [[2000–01 DEL season|01]]
! [[2001–02 DEL season|02]]
! [[2002–03 DEL season|03]]
! [[2003–04 DEL season|04]]
! [[2004–05 DEL season|05]]
! [[2005–06 DEL season|06]]
! [[2006–07 DEL season|07]]
! [[2007–08 DEL season|08]]
! [[2008–09 DEL season|09]]
! [[2009–10 DEL season|10]]
! [[2010–11 DEL season|11]]
! [[2011–12 DEL season|12]]
! [[2012–13 DEL season|13]]
! [[2013–14 DEL season|14]]
! [[2014–15 DEL season|15]]
! [[2015–16 DEL season|16]]
! [[2016–17 DEL season|17]]
! [[2017–18 DEL season|18]]
! [[2018–19 DEL season|19]]
! [[2019–20 DEL season|20]]<sup>7</sup>
! [[2020–21 DEL season|21]]<sup>8</sup>
! [[2021–22 DEL season|22]]
! [[2022–23 DEL season|23]]
! [[2023–24 DEL season|24]]
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Eisbären Berlin]]
| 28
| 1BL
| 17
| 17
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| 13
| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#dfffdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 3
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 4
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 8
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| ''4''
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 3
| style="background:#ffffbf"| '''1'''
| 11
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Fischtown Pinguins]]
| 5
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#efcfff"| 7
| ''6''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Straubing Tigers]]
| 15
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 12
| 14
| 13
| 13
| 13
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| 12
| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| 13
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| ''3''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[EHC Red Bull München|EHC München]]<sup>5</sup>
| 11
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| 11
| 12
| style="background:#efcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| '''''1'''''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Grizzlys Wolfsburg]]
| 15
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 13
| 
| 
| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 10
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 4
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 12
| ''9''
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Schwenninger Wild Wings]]
| 18
| 1BL
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#efcfff"| 5
| 10
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| 10
| 11
| 12
| 16
| 14
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
| 
| 13
| 14
| 14
| 12
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 14
| ''14''
| 10
| 14
| 12
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Adler Mannheim]]
| 28
| 1BL
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 4
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 6
| 10
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#ffffbf"|'''1'''
| ''2''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| '''1'''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[ERC Ingolstadt]]
| 19
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 9
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| ''7''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#efcfff"| 7
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Kölner Haie]]
| 28
| 1BL
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 6
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 6
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| 15
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 5
| 11
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| ''11''
| 12
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Nürnberg Ice Tigers]]
| 27
| 2BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 12
| style="background:#efcfff"| 11
| 15
| style="background:#efcfff"| 12
| style="background:#dfdfdf"|'''1'''
| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 13
| style="background:#efcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 10
|''8''
| 13
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Düsseldorfer EG]] <sup>6</sup>
| 26
| 1BL
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| 
| 
| 11
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| 10
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 9
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 14
| 14
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| 11
| 11
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| ''5''
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 11
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Löwen Frankfurt]]
| 
| 
| 
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|
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| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 12
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Iserlohn Roosters]] <sup>1</sup>
| 21
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 15
| 12
| 9
| 12
| 11
| 11
| 11
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| 11
| 11
| 12
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 10
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| 13
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| 13
| ''13''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 12
| 13
| 13
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Augsburger Panther]]
| 27
| 2BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 12
| 11
| style="background:#efcfff"| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| 14
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| 11
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 12
| 13
| 12
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 8
| 14
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| 11
| 12
| 12
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| ''10''
| 11
| 11
| 14
| style="background:#ffbbbb"|14
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[SC Bietigheim Steelers|Bietigheim Steelers]]
| 1
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 13
| style="background:#ffbbbb"|15
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Krefeld Pinguine]]
| 28
| 1BL
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 11
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 6
| 10
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 11
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 13
| 14
| 14
| 11
| ''12''
| 14
| style="background:#ffbbbb"| 15
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Hamburg Freezers]] <sup>2</sup>
|14
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 3
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| 14
| 11
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#dfffdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 4
| 11
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Frankfurt Lions]]
|16
| 2BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 10
| 11
| 13
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 5
| style="background:#dfffdf"| '''1'''
| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#efcfff"| 9
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 2
|
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Hannover Scorpions]]
|17
|
| 
| 
| 14
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 11
| 9
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| 10
| 10
| 13
| 12
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#ffffbf"| 4
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| 14
| 11
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Kassel Huskies]]
|14
| 2BL
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 9
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 9
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 5
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 7
| 11
| 14
| 13
| 
| 
| 14
| 15
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Füchse Duisburg|EV Duisburg]]
|4
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 14
| 14
| 15
| 16
|
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[EHC Freiburg|Wölfe Freiburg]]
|1
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 14
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Revierlöwen Oberhausen]]
|5
| 
|
| 
| 
| style="background:#efcfff"| 14
| 14
| 14
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| 13
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Essen Mosquitoes|Moskitos Essen]]
|3
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 15
| 16
| 14
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[BSC Preussen|Preussen Berlin]]
|8
| 1BL
| style="background:#dfffdf"|'''1'''
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 2
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 5
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| 13
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 8
| 15
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Munich Barons]] <sup>2</sup> <sup>3</sup>
|3
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 3
| style="background:#dfffdf"|'''1'''
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Starbulls Rosenheim]] <sup>1</sup>
|6
| 1BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 8
| style="background:#efcfff"| 13
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| 15
| 12
| 12
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
|
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[EV Landshut|Landshut Cannibals]] <sup>3</sup>
|5
| 1BL
| style="background:#dfdfdf"| 2
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 4
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 7
| style="background:#dfffdf"| 6
| style="background:#cfcfff"| 6
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Ratinger Löwen]]
|3
| 1BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 16
| style="background:#efcfff"| 10
| 16
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[ESV Kaufbeuren]]
|3
| 1BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 11
| style="background:#efcfff"| 15
| 13
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[SC Riessersee]]
|1
|
| 
| style="background:#efcfff"| 14
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Hannover Indians]]
|2
| 2BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 14
| style="background:#efcfff"| 16
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Lausitzer Füchse]]
|2
| 2BL
| style="background:#efcfff"| 15
| 18
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
|
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|- align="center"
|align="left"| [[Maddogs München]] <sup>4</sup>
|1
| 1BL
| style="background:#ffbbbb" |18
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
|}
<br>
{|class="wikitable"
! Color code !! Result
|- style="background:#ffffbf"
| Gold ||  Play-off champion
|- style="background:#dfdfdf"
| Silver || Play-off finalist
|- style="background:#dfffdf"
| Green || Semi-finalist
|- style="background:#cfcfff"
| Blue || 1st round
|- style="background:#efcfff"
| Purple || Preliminary round
|- style="background:#ffffff"
| White ||Did not qualify for play-offs
|-style="background:#ffbbbb"
| Red || Relegated to DEL2 or folded mid-season
|- style="background:#ffffff"
|'''Bold''' || Regular season champion
|- style="background:#ffffff"
|''Italics'' || Play-offs not conducted
|- style="background:#ffffff"
| No. || Number of seasons in league (as of 2020–21)
|}

* <sup>1</sup> In 2001, the ''[[Star Bulls Rosenheim]]'' sold their DEL licence to the ''[[Iserlohn Roosters]]''.
* <sup>2</sup> In 2002, the ''[[München Barons]]'' relocated to become the ''[[Hamburg Freezers]]''.
* <sup>3</sup> In 1999, the ''[[Landshut Cannibals]]'' sold their DEL licence to the ''[[München Barons]]''.
* <sup>4</sup> In 1995, the ''[[Mad Dogs München]]'' folded during the regular season.
* <sup>5</sup> In 2012, the ''[[EHC München]]'' changed their name to ''[[EHC Red Bull München]]''.
* <sup>6</sup> In 2012, the ''[[DEG Metro Stars]]'' changed their name to ''[[Düsseldorfer EG]]''.
* In the 1995 and 1996 season, 16 clubs were qualified for the play-offs.
* In the 1998 season, 14 clubs were qualified for the play-offs.
* <sup>7</sup> The 2020 season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the cancellation of the play-offs. The teams are listed by their placement in the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.del.org/news/deutsche-eishockey-liga-beendet-saison-vorzeitig/11283|title=Deutsche Eishockey Liga beendet Saison vorzeitig|website=del.org|language=de|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-date=13 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313011239/https://www.del.org/news/deutsche-eishockey-liga-beendet-saison-vorzeitig/11283|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* <sup>8</sup> The 2021 playoffs were conducted under a reduced format, with no preliminary round and only eight playoff teams.

==See also==
* [[List of German champions|German champions]]
* [[2nd Bundesliga]]
* [[Oberliga]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* Meltzer, Bill. [http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=280022 "Three European Champs, Three Different Paths to the Top" at NHL.com] Retrieved 08-18-06.
* [http://www.del.org/ Official DEL website] (in German)
* [http://www.deb-online.de/ Official Website of the German Ice Hockey-Federation - DEB]
* [http://www.myspace.com/deutschereishockeybund/ Official DEB-MySpace-Website]
* [http://www.hockeyarenas.net/ Hockeyarenas - DEL Arenas]
* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/del1997.html Internet Hockey Database - standings and statistics]
* [http://www.hockeyarchives.info/ Hockey Archives - International ice hockey website with tables and results (in French)]

{{Euro Leagues}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Ice hockey leagues]]