| Date | R | Home v Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26 17:00 | - |
IF Malmo Redhawks v Skelleftea AIK
|
Postponed |
| 10/26 17:00 | - |
[8] Frolunda HC v IK Oskarshamn
[13] 
|
2-3 |
| 10/26 17:00 | - |
[3] Lulea HF v Leksands IF
[12] 
|
1-4 |
| 10/26 17:00 | - |
[10] Modo Hockey v Farjestad BK
[1] 
|
4-3 |
| 10/24 17:00 | - |
[8] IF Malmo Redhawks v HV71
[14] 
|
2-0 |
| 10/24 17:00 | - |
[6] Vaxjo Lakers HC v Frolunda HC
[5]
|
3-0 |
| 10/24 17:00 | - |
[10] Linkoping HC v Rogle BK
[11] 
|
3-2 |
| 10/21 16:00 | - |
[12] Leksands IF v Vaxjo Lakers HC
[10]
|
1-2 |
| 10/21 16:00 | - |
[1] Farjestad BK v Frolunda HC
[8]
|
1-2 |
| 10/21 16:00 | - |
[3] Skelleftea AIK v Lulea HF
[4]
|
0-1 |
| 10/21 16:00 | - |
[14] IK Oskarshamn v Modo Hockey
[7]
|
7-2 |
| 10/21 13:15 | - |
[12] Rogle BK v Timra IK
[5] 
|
2-1 |
| 10/21 13:15 | - |
[13] HV71 v IF Malmo Redhawks
[10]
|
0-8 |
| 10/21 13:15 | - |
[3] Orebro HK v Linkoping HC
[8]
|
5-2 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[8] IF Malmo Redhawks v Timra IK
[7]
|
3-4 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[11] Rogle BK v Skelleftea AIK
[2]
|
3-6 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[9] Linkoping HC v Frolunda HC
[6]
|
3-0 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[5] Orebro HK v HV71
[13]
|
6-2 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[12] Leksands IF v IK Oskarshamn
[14]
|
1-2 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[3] Lulea HF v Farjestad BK
[1]
|
2-1 |
| 10/19 17:00 | - |
[10] Vaxjo Lakers HC v Modo Hockey
[4]
|
1-0 |
| 10/14 16:00 | - |
[14] IK Oskarshamn v IF Malmo Redhawks
[12]
|
1-4 |
| 10/14 16:00 | - |
[9] Timra IK v Leksands IF
[11]
|
2-1 |
| 10/14 16:00 | - |
[8] Vaxjo Lakers HC v Lulea HF
[6]
|
2-5 |
| 10/14 13:15 | - |
[6] Frolunda HC v HV71
[13]
|
6-4 |
| 10/14 13:15 | - |
[3] Skelleftea AIK v Linkoping HC
[7]
|
3-1 |
| 10/14 13:15 | - |
[1] Farjestad BK v Rogle BK
[10]
|
4-2 |
| 10/14 13:15 | - |
[5] Modo Hockey v Orebro HK
[2]
|
3-1 |
| 10/12 17:00 | - |
[13] HV71 v Rogle BK
[7]
|
4-0 |
| 10/12 17:00 | - |
[11] Linkoping HC v Vaxjo Lakers HC
[6]
|
3-2 |
Brynas IF
Djurgardens IF
Karlskrona HK
Mora IK
AIK
VIK Västerås HK
HC Vita Hästen
Wikipedia - Swedish Hockey League
The Swedish Hockey League (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 (known in English as 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 league consists of 14 teams that compete in a regular season format, followed by playoffs to determine the champion. Each season showcases thrilling matchups, where teams battle for supremacy on the ice, displaying a blend of speed, skill, and strategic gameplay. The SHL is known for its emphasis on developing young talent, with many players progressing to successful careers in the NHL and international competitions.
Fans flock to arenas across the country, creating an electric atmosphere filled with excitement and camaraderie. The SHL also plays a vital role in promoting ice hockey at the grassroots level, inspiring the next generation of players.
With its commitment to excellence and a deep-rooted tradition, the Swedish Hockey League continues to be a beacon of ice hockey in Europe, captivating audiences and fostering a love for the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the sport, the SHL promises unforgettable moments and a celebration of athletic prowess.