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- No team from the National League and Switzerland will be relegated next season.
- For the following season (2021/22), both leagues could be increased to 13 teams.
- Starting next season, 52 rounds (previously 50) will also be played and so-called pre-playoffs will take place.
- The “question from abroad” and the start date of the new season are still open.
In the 2020/21 season there will be no relegations in the two main Swiss ice hockey leagues. This was determined Monday at the league assembly of all clubs on the Bern ice rink. The league ranking is also removed.
Since the winners in the Swiss League and MySports should not be denied promotion at the same time, the top two divisions could increase to 13 teams in the next two seasons (2021/22). However, teachers would also have to meet certain financial requirements.
Charity rounds and pre-playoffs
Starting next season, 52 rounds (previously 50) will be played. Each club plays one more home game. The two additional “Solidarity Rounds” will take place on November 1 and February 14. League manager Denis Vaucher explains: “These rounds should give fans, sponsors and television partners something from the playoffs.”
The playoffs will also be adjusted. The top 6 teams are directly in the quarterfinals, places 7-10 after the qualifying bout in the pre-playoffs for the remaining two playoff spots: in a best-of-3 series, 7th meets 10th and 8th to 9th Additional games should dampen the lack of income a bit.
Foreigners question not yet resolved
Regarding possible transfers, the clubs also agreed to a “gentlemen’s agreement”: Players who had a valid contract with a National League or Swiss team as of May 1, 2020 are not allowed until the next meeting of The league on June 17 will be contacted or committed to another club.
Not until the next league meeting too Foreigners’ question regarding the NHL exit clause needs clarification: Players moving to North America may be replaced by an additional alien. This would not be a burden on the foreign contingent.
The fundamental question of when and how the new season will start due to the crown pandemic is also open. In particular, the “Solidarity Rounds” are based on the assumption that the championship can start in September as planned or in October at the latest.
