Elitserien

Current season or competition: 2012–13 Elitserien season
Official Elitserien logo
Formerly	Division I
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	1975
No. of teams	12
Country(ies)	Sweden
Most recent champion(s)	Brynäs IF
TV partner(s)	TV4 Group
Official website	Hockeyligan.se

Elitserien, (also known as the Swedish Elite League or the SEL, as it is often unofficially called in English^[1]) is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden. It is the highest-level ice hockey league in Sweden^[2] and, based on average player salaries in 2006, is ranked as the fourth highest paying professional ice hockey league in the world (behind the National Hockey League, Russian Superleague (now the KHL), and the Czech Extraliga).^[3] As of 2010–11, Elitserien is the world's most evenly matched professional ice hockey league.^[4] As of 2011–12, it's also the most attended league in Europe.^[5]

The first season under the name Elitserien was played in 1975–76. The Swedish ice hockey championships have been played in various forms since 1922.

A large majority of the players in Elitserien, approximately 70% during the 2006–07 season,^[6] constitutes Swedes. According to the Swedish Ice Hockey Association there were 99 foreign players in the teams' rosters, and a total of 127 foreigners registered with the twelve Elitserien teams, at the start of the 2006–07 season.^[7]

History[link]

The Swedish ice hockey championships was awarded for the first time in Swedish history in 1922, only two years after ice hockey was introduced in Sweden by the American film director Raoul Le Mat. IK Göta won the first championships final.^[8]

Elitserien under its current name started on October 5, 1975, in which each team played a total of 36 games.^[9] Originally the league consisted of 10 teams but expanded in 1987 with an additional two teams.

Game[link]

Each Elitserien regulation game is an ice hockey game played between two teams and is 60 minutes long. The game is composed of three 20-minute periods with an intermission of a maximum of 18 minutes between periods.^[10] At the end of the 60-minute regulation time, the team with the most goals wins the game. If a game is tied after regulation time, overtime ensues to force a winner. During the regular season, overtime is a five-minute, four-player on four-player sudden death period, in which the first team to score a goal wins the game. If a game still is tied after the overtime period, a shootout will decide the game. In a shootout, the team that scores the most penalty shots out of three attempts wins the game. If the game is still tied after the first three penalty-shot rounds, a sudden death shootout will decide the game, meaning that the first team to miss a penalty shot (while the other team scores) loses the game.

In the playoffs, an unlimited number of sudden-death 20 minute five-on-five periods occur until one team scores. While a game can theoretically continue forever, only a handful of games have ever surpassed four overtime periods, and none have gone beyond six.^[11]

Elitserien games are played on a hockey rink, which is rectangular ice rink with rounded corners and surrounded by a wall. It measures 30 by 60 meters (98.42 by 196.85 ft), conforming to international standards.^[12]

Teams[link]

Head coaches of all twelve Elitserien teams, photographed in September 2011.

Elitserien originated in 1975 with ten teams, and after expansion in 1987 currently consists of twelve teams. The two lowest ranked teams after the regular season have to play in a regulation series called Kvalserien together with four teams from the second tier league HockeyAllsvenskan. The top two teams of Kvalserien qualify for the next Elitserien season, while the other four are demoted to HockeyAllsvenskan. Theoretically, there is a possibility that two 'new' teams will play in Elitserien at the beginning of each season.

Counting from the start of Elitserien in 1975, Färjestad BK is the most successful team with nine Swedish Championship titles, commonly called SM-guld in Swedish. The second most successful team is Djurgårdens IF with six championship titles.^[13] Counting from 1922, when the first Swedish championships were played, Djurgårdens IF is the most successful team with sixteen championship titles, followed by Brynäs IF with twelve and IK Göta with nine.^[14]

The future of Elitserien has been uncertain, especially its relation to ice hockey in the rest of Europe. 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 Elitserien 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 Elitserien league after the 2009–10 season; they terminated their shareholders' agreements with Hockeyligan, who governs the Elitserien league.^[15][16] However, this never happened, and the plans to unite with other European leagues were officially put down in November 2011.^[17][18]

There has also been extensive discussion about the amount of teams in the Elitserien. Currently the Elitserien league has 12 teams. However, there has been good agreement among hockey experts that the league needs to be expanded by at least two more teams. (The second tier league HockeyAllsvenskan currently has 14 teams.) They mean that, apart from just the economical situation for some of the clubs, the competition from HockeyAllsvenskan has shown that more teams are needed in the top-tier league Elitserien.^[19][20] Hockeyligan has stated that they are looking into ways of improving the Elitserien, including but not limited to an expansion of the league to 14 teams.^[21]

2012–13 season[link]

Luleå•

Skellefteå•

Modo•

Timrå•

Brynäs•

Färjestad•

•AIK

•Linköping

•HV71

Frölunda•

Växjö•

Rögle•

Season structure[link]

The Elitserien season is divided into a regular season from late September through the beginning of March, when teams play against each other in a pre-defined schedule, and a playoffs from March to the beginning of April, which is an elimination tournament where two teams play against each other to win a best-of-seven series in order to advance to the next round. The final remaining team is crowned the Swedish champion, or Svenska mästare in Swedish.

Regular season[link]

The regular season is a round-robin, where each team plays 55 games in an unbalanced schedule. Points are awarded for each game, where three points are awarded for a win, two points for winning in overtime or shootout, one point for losing in overtime or shootout, and zero points for a loss in regulation time. At the end of the regular season, the team that finishes with the most points is crowned the league champion and is awarded a prize sum of 1,000,000 SEK^[22] (approx. 150,000 USD) as a bonus. The eight highest ranked teams by points qualify for the playoffs. The two lowest ranked teams after the regular season have to play in the relegation and promotion series Kvalserien in order to qualify for the next season of Elitserien.

If two or more teams end up tied in points, the seeds are determined by the following tiebreaker format:

1. Best goal difference
2. Most goals scored
3. Head-to-head results between the tied teams

Playoffs[link]

The Elitserien Playoffs is an elimination tournament, where two teams battle to win a best-of-seven series in order to advance to the next round. The first round of the playoffs, or quarterfinals, consists of the first seed choosing which team to play against from the seventh or eighth seed; the second choosing from the remaining two lowest seeded; the third choosing between the remaining two lowest seeded after second's pick; and the fourth playing against the sole remaining team. In the second round, the semifinals, the teams are re-seeded, with the top remaining seed playing against the lowest remaining seed, and the other two remaining teams pairing off. In the third round, the finals, the two remaining teams face each other.

In each series, the higher-ranked team of the two will have home-ice advantage. Four of the seven games are played at this team's home venue — the second and fourth, and, when necessary, the fifth and seventh games — with the other games played at the lower-ranked team's home venue.

Relegation[link]

The two lowest ranked teams after the regular season have to play in a regulation series called Kvalserien together with four teams from the second tier league HockeyAllsvenskan. The top two teams of Kvalserien qualify for the next Elitserien season, while the other four are demoted to HockeyAllsvenskan.

Notable players[link]

The top five point scoring forwards for the 2010–11 season were Joakim Lindström, Mikko Lehtonen, Martin Thörnberg, Byron Ritchie and Niklas Andersson. The top goal scorer was Mikko Lehtonen.^[23] The top three scorers on defence were David Rundblad, Magnus Johansson, and Elias Fälth^[23] and the top three goaltenders (by save percentage) were Mark Owuya, Alexander Salák, and Viktor Fasth.^[23]

Trophies and awards[link]

At the end of the Elitserien playoffs the Swedish Champions are awarded the Le Mat Trophy. There is only one trophy that is awarded to players based on their statistics during the regular season; the Håkan Loob Trophy for the goal-scoring leader.

One of the most prestigious individual awards is Guldhjälmen, which is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player; the voting is conducted by the players in Elitserien. Guldpucken is awarded annually to the ice hockey player of the year in Sweden. It is not necessarily awarded to a player in Elitserien; season 2005–06 the award was given to Kenny Jönsson in the Swedish second highest ice hockey league HockeyAllsvenskan. The award Årets Rookie (Rookie of the Year) is awarded annually by Svenska Spel and Svenska Hockeyligan to the best rookie player in Elitserien.^[24][25]

Television and radio[link]

Elitserien games are aired nationally in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, by Canal+. One game from each round is selected and shown on Canal+ Sport 1, and simulcasted in 1080i high definition on Canal+ Sport HD. The selected game is also aired on Mobile TV, available to Telenor customers in Sweden with 3G phones.^[26] All 330 regular season games are available on pay-per-view,^[27] via cable and satellite for Canal+ customers, and also available via Canal+'s streaming Internet TV. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout Elitserien games were being broadcasted in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet.

Sveriges Radio (SR) is the official radio broadcaster of Elitserien.^[28] Each round is covered by Sportextra in SR P4 with reports from all arenas, all games are available in their entirety on SR's internet radio and to mobile phones via 3G.^[29]

Previous winners[link]

Previous Elitserien regular season winners[link]

Previous Elitserien playoff winners (Swedish Champions)[link]

Video games[link]

Teams from the league are playable in the video games Elitserien 95 for Sega Mega Drive, Elitserien 96 for Sega Mega Drive and Elitserien 2001 for PC. They also appear in EA Sports' NHL series since NHL 2004.

See also[link]

• List of ice hockey leagues in Sweden

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Swedish Ice Hockey Association
• Elitserien official site - In English
• Official statistics - Official standings and statistics from the Swedish Ice Hockey Association
• EliteProspects - Elitserien news in English

Anton Hedman
Born	(1986-05-15) 15 May 1986 (age 26) Stockholm
Position	Winger
Shoots	Left
SEL team Former teams	Luleå Hockey Ontario Hockey League Sudbury Wolves Owen Sound Attack Guelph Storm HockeyAllsvenskan VIK Västerås HK Almtuna IS Hammarby IF Hockey Växjö Lakers Hockey Luleå Hockey
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	255th overall, 2004 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2010–present

Anton Hedman (born 15 May 1986) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player (winger), currently playing for Luleå Hockey of the Elitserien (SEL).^[1] He was drafted as 255th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. His youth team was Tranebergs IF.

References[link]

• Anton Hedman's career stats at Eliteprospects.com

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Kim Hirschovits (born May 9, 1982) is a professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the New York Rangers as their sixth-round pick, #194 overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 183 lbs.

Early life[link]

Hirschovits, who is Jewish,^[1] was born in Helsinki, Finland.

Career[link]

Hirschovits started his playing career with HIFK in the 2000–01 season, but his career took off in the 2005–06 season when he scored 40 points. Hirschovits then created controversy by signing with HIFK's local rival Jokerit following in the footsteps of coach Doug Shedden. Hirschovits's career includes a brief visit to North America in 2002, when he played six games with the Chicago Steel of the USHL.

International play[link]

Hirschovits made his international debut on Team Finland on the Euro Hockey Tour's Moscow tournament in December 2006.

Career statistics[link]

Trivia[link]

• Recorded six assists in an SM-liiga game (January 9, 2007), a club record. The league record, seven assists, dates back to 1982 and is held by Matti Forss.
• Wore #4 at HIFK, #44 at Jokerit.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Kim Hirschovits's official website

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Jacob Markström
Born	(1990-01-31) January 31, 1990 (age 22) Gävle, Sweden
Height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	Florida Panthers Brynäs IF (SEL)
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	31st overall, 2008 Florida Panthers
Playing career	2008–present

Jacob Markström (born January 31, 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League.

Playing career[link]

Markström signed a two-year contract with the Brynäs IF senior team on May 12, 2008.^[1] He had previously been playing for the Brynäs IF junior team. The following month, after solid performances in the Elitserien and internationally for Sweden in the Under 18 and World Junior tournaments, he was selected 31st overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft as the first choice of the Florida Panthers.

In 2009–10 Jacob Markström led the Elitserien in the save percentage (SVS%) and goals against average (GAA) statistics, with 92.72% and 2.01 respectively.^[2] On June 1, 2010, it was announced that Panthers GM and Markström had agreed to terms on an entry level contract.^[3]

On January 23, 2011, Markström made his NHL debut when he replaced starter Scott Clemmensen at the start of the second period to post a loss against the New Jersey Devils.^[4] Upon his debut, he became the youngest goaltender to ever play for the Panthers.

Markström was sent back to the Florida Panthers affiliate team the Rochester Americans. The team directives argued that Markström needed to get used to hockey in North America since players had different shooting tendencies. Jacob Markström struggled during his first season in the AHL and also injured his knee. After surgery in South Florida, Markström worked to get back in the game, hoping to have a real shot at the NHL level.

With Tomas Vokoun leaving the Florida Panthers roster, Markström attended the Panthers' September 2011 training camp to compete for a starting or back-up position with fellow goaltenders Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen – getting the back-up role when Clemmensen was injured.^[5] On October 22, Jacob got his first NHL win when he played in the third period against the New York Islanders and made 18 saves on 18 shots.^[6]

International career[link]

Medal record
Competitor for  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze	2010 Germany
World Junior Championships
Silver	2009 Ottawa
Bronze	2010 Saskatoon

Markström has represented Sweden three times in junior tournaments. He backstopped the Swedes to a fourth place finish in the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2008. The next year, he was placed on the Swedish World Juniors team and led all goalies with a 94.6% save percentage and finished second with a 1.61 GAA.^[7] Those impressive stats let him to earn Best Player honours at the goaltender position in 2009; his team also took home the silver medal. He again represented Sweden at the WJCs in 2010 and could not quite match his previous year's performance as Sweden earned a bronze medal. Markström did post a respectable 92.72% save percentage and a 2.21 GAA, both good enough for second place amongst goalies in the prestigious tournament.^[8]

In his first major tournament at a senior level, the 2010 World Championships, Markström played three games and recorded a shutout against Switzerland.^[9]

Awards[link]

• IIHF Best Player Award at the goaltender position at the World Juniors in 2009.
• Awarded Elitserien Rookie of the Year in 2010.

Career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

References:^{[10][11][12] [13] [14]}

Post season[link]

References:^{[15][16] [17] [18]}

International statistics[link]

References:^{[19] [20] [21] [22]}

Year	Team	Comp	Result		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2008	Sweden	U18	4th		6	4	2	0	355	18	1	3.04	.862
2009	Sweden	WJC			5	4	1	0	298	8	1	1.61	.943
2010	Sweden	WJC			5	4	1	0	298	11	0	2.21	.927
2010	Sweden	WC			3	3	0	0	180	4	1	1.33	.944

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jacob Markström's career stats at Eliteprospects.com
• Jacob Markström – player profile and career stats at European Hockey.Net
• Jacob Markström's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Jacob Markstrom's NHL player profile

Daniel Rydmark
Born	(1970-02-23) February 23, 1970 (age 42) Västerås, SWE
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Färjestads BK Malmö IF Phoenix Roadrunners VIK Västerås HK
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	123rd overall, 1989 Los Angeles
Playing career	1988–2004

Daniel Rydmark (born February 23, 1970 in Västerås, Sweden) is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played during his career for VIK Västerås HK, Färjestads BK, Malmö IF Redhawks and Phoenix Roadrunners. He won three Swedish Championships during his career. One with Färjestads in 1988 and two with Malmö in 1992 and 1994 . He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, as the 123rd pick overall. He never played with the Kings, but he played eleven games with Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL in 1995.

External links[link]

• Daniel Rydmark's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2007)

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