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The National League (NL) is a professional
ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice h ...
league in Switzerland and is the top tier of the
Swiss Swiss may refer to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina * Swiss, West Virginia *Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses * Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports *Swiss Internatio ...
league system. Prior to the 2017–18 season, the league was known as National League A. During the 2018–19 season, the league had an average of 6,949 spectators per game which is the highest among European leagues (ahead of the KHL with 6,397 and the
DEL Del, or nabla, is an operator used in mathematics (particularly in vector calculus) as a vector differential operator, usually represented by the nabla symbol ∇. When applied to a function defined on a one-dimensional domain, it denotes ...
with 6,215). The capital city's club
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
has been ranked first of all European clubs for 18 seasons and had an average attendance of 16,290 after the regular season. The
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
are another club in the top ten of European ice hockey attendance, ranking seventh with 9,694 spectators.


Season structure

During the regular season, each of the 14 teams play 52 games. The top eight teams after the
regular season In an organized sports league, a typical season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session: for example, in Major League Baseball the season lasts approximately from the last week of March to the last week of Se ...
qualify for the
playoffs The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...
to determine the Swiss champion in best-of-seven series. The bottom four teams in the standings play a
relegation In sports leagues, promotion and relegation is a process where teams are transferred between multiple divisions based on their performance for the completed season. Leagues that use promotion and relegation systems are often called open leagues. ...
tournament, called playouts, in which each team retains their regular season points and play an additional six matches. Following those matches, the two bottom ranked teams will play each other in a best-of-seven series, with the loser then playing the winner of the
Swiss League The Swiss League is the second tier of the main professional ice hockey league in Switzerland, behind the National League. The winners of the league each season plays a best-of-seven series against the bottom team of the NL, and if they win, the ...
playoffs in a best-of-seven series for a spot in the successive NL season.


Current teams


Import players

The current
gentlemen's agreement A gentlemen's agreement, or gentleman's agreement, is an informal and legally non-binding agreement between two or more parties. It is typically oral, but it may be written or simply understood as part of an unspoken agreement by convention or t ...
allows teams to dress a maximum of six non-Swiss players for each game. There is no official rule as it would be against Swiss laws to limit foreign workers in a given enterprise. This agreement is not directly related to Swiss citizenship as players with different nationalities but with Swiss player-licenses are considered Swiss players, thus they do not count as import players. Current examples of this scenario are Deniss Smirnovs and Eliot Berthon with Genève-Servette HC and Floran Douay and Ronalds Ķēniņš with Lausanne HC. They all play with Swiss player-licenses as they have spent a good majority of their childhoods playing hockey with junior teams in Switzerland yet they do not possess Swiss citizenships. Such players would not be able to play in the NL if it was not for their Swiss player-licenses as they would not be considered good enough to use an import player spot on any team. Those spots are usually reserved for players who have had good
NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...
careers or players with great stats and performances in the AHL, SHL, KHL or
Liiga The SM-liiga (marketed as just Liiga from 2013 on), (Finnish for ''League'') colloquially called the Finnish Elite League in English or FM-ligan in Swedish, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. It is one of the six founding leagu ...
. The subject of import players has been and still is a huge subject of debates among team owners and GMs. Some of them wish to allow more import players per game in order to reduce the salaries of star Swiss players and the others want to keep that limit lower to allow more Swiss players to play on special units and have top roles on their teams.


Media coverage

NL games are only available in Switzerland and MySports is the league's official broadcaster, airing all regular season and playoffs games. MySports pays CHF 35 million per year to broadcast NL games and selected SL games. Games are available with German, French and Italian commentaries. Starting with the 2022/23 season, one game will be broadcast live and for free every week on local TVs on Sunday night with a puck drop set to 8pm. The SRG SSR airs regular season games highlights after each round and two selected games per playoff night in all three languages. Additionally, talk-shows are broadcast live on all 3 channels after each game night, featuring former Swiss players like Gil Montandon, Marco Bührer or Mark Streit.


Past champions

*2022 - EV Zug 4-3
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*2021 - EV Zug 3-0 Genève-Servette HC *2020 – ''no winner'' *2019 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
4-1 EV Zug *2018 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
4-3
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*2017 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
4-2 EV Zug *2016 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
4-1
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*2015 – HC Davos 4-1
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*2014 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
4-0 Kloten Flyers *2013 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
4-2 Fribourg-Gottéron *2012 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
4-3
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*2011 – HC Davos 4-2 Kloten Flyers *2010 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
4-3 Genève-Servette HC *2009 – HC Davos 4-3 Kloten Flyers *2008 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
4-2 Genève-Servette HC *2007 – HC Davos 4-3
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*2006 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
4-1 HC Davos *2005 – HC Davos 4-1
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*2004 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
3-2
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*2003 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
4-2 HC Davos *2002 – HC Davos 4-0
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*2001 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*2000 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*1999 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*1998 – EV Zug *1997 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1996 – EHC Kloten *1995 – EHC Kloten *1994 – EHC Kloten *1993 – EHC Kloten *1992 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1991 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1990 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*1989 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1988 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*1987 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*1986 –
HC Lugano Hockey Club Lugano, often abbreviated to HC Lugano or HCL, is a professional ice hockey club based in Lugano, Switzerland. The team competes in the National League (NL) and has won seven Swiss championships. History The founding of HC Lugano to ...
*1985 – HC Davos *1984 – HC Davos *1983 –
EHC Biel EHC Biel-Bienne is a professional ice hockey club based in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland and plays in the National League (NL). Since the city of Biel is completely bilingual, alongside the German name EHC Biel (Abbr: EHCB) the te ...
*1982 – EHC Arosa *1981 –
EHC Biel EHC Biel-Bienne is a professional ice hockey club based in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland and plays in the National League (NL). Since the city of Biel is completely bilingual, alongside the German name EHC Biel (Abbr: EHCB) the te ...
*1980 – EHC Arosa *1979 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1978 –
EHC Biel EHC Biel-Bienne is a professional ice hockey club based in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland and plays in the National League (NL). Since the city of Biel is completely bilingual, alongside the German name EHC Biel (Abbr: EHCB) the te ...
*1977 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1976 – SC Langnau *1975 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1974 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1973 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1972 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1971 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1970 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1969 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1968 – HC La Chaux-de-Fonds *1967 – EHC Kloten *1966 – Grasshopper-Club Zürich *1965 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1964 – HC Villars *1963 – HC Villars *1962 – EHC Visp *1961 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*1960 – HC Davos *1959 –
SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern (''Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the most ...
*1958 – HC Davos *1957 – EHC Arosa *1956 – EHC Arosa *1955 – EHC Arosa *1954 – EHC Arosa *1953 – EHC Arosa *1952 – EHC Arosa *1951 – EHC Arosa *1950 – HC Davos *1949 –
ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions) are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL) ...
*1948 – HC Davos *1947 – HC Davos *1946 – HC Davos *1945 – HC Davos *1944 – HC Davos *1943 – HC Davos *1942 – HC Davos *1941 – HC Davos *1940 – ''no winner'' *1939 – HC Davos *1938 – HC Davos Swiss National Championship Serie A (1909–1937) * 1909: HC Bellerive Vevey * 1910: HC La Villa Lausanne * 1911: Club des patineurs de Lausanne * 1912: HC Les Avants * 1913: HC Les Avants * 1914: ''not played'' * 1915: ''not played'' * 1916: HC Bern * 1917: HC Bern * 1918: HC Bern * 1919: HC Bellerive Vevey * 1920: HC Bellerive Vevey * 1921: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1922: EHC St. Moritz * 1923: EHC St. Moritz * 1924: HC Château-d'Œx * 1925: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1926: HC Davos * 1927: HC Davos * 1928: EHC St. Moritz * 1929: HC Davos * 1930: HC Davos * 1931: HC Davos * 1932: HC Davos * 1933: HC Davos * 1934: HC Davos * 1935: HC Davos * 1936: Zürcher SC * 1937: HC Davos Swiss International Championship Serie A (1916–1933) * 1916: Akademischer EHC Zürich * 1917: HC Les Avants * 1918: HC Bellerive Vevey * 1919: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1920: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1921: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1922: HC Château-d'Œx * 1923: EHC St. Moritz * 1924: HC Château-d'Œx * 1925: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1926: ''no winner'' * 1927: HC Davos * 1928: HC Rosey-Gstaad * 1929: HC Davos * 1930: HC Davos * 1931: HC Davos * 1932: HC Davos * 1933: Grasshopper-Club Zürich


Titles by club


See also

*
Swiss League The Swiss League is the second tier of the main professional ice hockey league in Switzerland, behind the National League. The winners of the league each season plays a best-of-seven series against the bottom team of the NL, and if they win, the ...
* PostFinance Top Scorer


References


External links

*
National League, official website
*
National League, official website

Puck.ch
Results of Swiss Ice Hockey – i
EnglishFrenchGerman
an
Italian

An Analysis Of The Swiss NLA

All-time standings 1909–2008
{{DEFAULTSORT:National League A Professional ice hockey leagues in Switzerland Top tier ice hockey leagues in Europe