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Hello, eHockey fans and players! The wait is over—ECL '25 Winter is here, and the Core division is packed with action and anticipation. In this article, we dive into the teams vying for glory across the four groups, spotlighting their performances from last season, key players to watch, and their prospects for the playoffs. From seasoned contenders to fresh faces making their Core debut, we’ll uncover what makes this season an exciting chapter in ECL Core. This article is intended to provide a detailed and engaging overview of the competition. So, who are the standout stars and dark horses in this competitive mix? Let’s break it down group by group and set the stage for a thrilling season ahead! ECL '25 Winter – Core: Group 1 CapeTown Kings ECL '24: Spring Performance: Quarterfinalists (Core) CapeTown Kings showcased an impressive playoff run last season, reaching the quarterfinals in Core. Their offensive duo, led by Sambleri and Beeoo87, combined for a powerful attack, amazing 58 and 49 points, respectively. The team also boasts solid contributions from Black1Eagle1__. Goalkeeper Moneygunx delivered with an 84.34% save percentage. The Kings look to build on this momentum to secure another strong season. Key Player to Watch: Sambleri Dynamo HC ECL '24: Spring Performance: Winners (Neo) Dominating Neo in Spring, Dynamo HC has now advanced to Core with a strong roster. Their top scorer Dcon2Silly stood out with 50 points in just 12 games, while Harten7 contributed significantly to their offensive firepower. Proving to be a reliable last line of defense. Dynamo HC’s seamless transition from Neo to Core will be one of the narratives to follow this season. Key Player to Watch: Dcon2Silly ERC Ingolstadt ECL '24: Spring Performance: Missed Playoffs (Core) ERC Ingolstadt struggled last season, failing to qualify for the playoffs. However, they still feature standout players like Tunnic1991, who was 2nd in the team in scoring with 18 points. Their goaltender Xd420GaMeR7455 faced challenges but gained valuable experience. If Ingolstadt can tighten their defensive play, they have the potential to climb in the standings. Key Player to Watch: Tunnic1991 Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki ECL '24: Spring Performance: Missed Playoffs (Core) Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki had a tough Spring campaign but remain determined to make their mark. Their standout skater, TheKapoZ, delivered 16 goals and 17 assists despite the team’s struggles. However, they’ll need stronger goaltending, as Larde64 posted a save percentage below 80%. Improvement in net could help them compete for a playoff spot. Key Player to Watch: TheKapoZ Koppibuutti ECL '24: Spring Performance: Round 1 Exit (Core) Koppibuutti had a decent Spring season, qualifying for the playoffs but falling short in the first round. Their offensive duo of Jorkkilainen and ruttopottu impressed with over 40 points each. Goaltender Adelyn10 was a standout, with a remarkable 87.61% save percentage. This balance between offense and defense makes Koppibuutti a strong contender in Group 1. Key Player to Watch: Jorkkilainen Pillipiiparit ECL '24: Spring Performance: Missed Playoffs (Core) Despite missing the playoffs, Pillipiiparit showed glimpses of potential. Skater Nnispe led the team with 31 points, but their overall offensive depth was lacking. Goalie VanhaKorppu faced heavy pressure and posted a save percentage of 81.27%. Pillipiiparit will need to step up both offensively and defensively to have a shot at the playoffs this season. Key Player to Watch: Nnispe Prowlers ECL '24: Spring Performance: Quarterfinalists (Core) Prowlers had a strong Spring season, with their top scorer RHannu leading the charge with an impressive 63 points. Supported by Kvarneen and an airtight defensive system, they made it to the quarterfinals. Goaltender Tizjeflen was one of the league’s best, boasting an 89.29% save percentage. Prowlers enter this season as one of the favorites in Group 1. Key Player to Watch: RHannu RAIDERS HC ECL '24 Spring Performance: Playoff Contenders (Neo) RAIDERS HC performed well in Neo last season, reaching the playoffs. Their transition to Core will be led by Dens1935, who amassed 63 points in 20 games. Goalie Duff_Man2309 was solid in net with an 80.99% save percentage. If they adapt quickly to the higher level of competition, RAIDERS HC could surprise many. Key Player to Watch: Dens1935 Taskubilis ECL '24: Spring Performance: Round 2 Exit (Core) Taskubilis showed resilience last season, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Their core players, including Jalitmane10, delivered consistent performances. Goaltender Pinson91 provided stability with a 77.99% save percentage. With their balanced approach, Taskubilis is expected to be a playoff contender once again. Key Player to Watch: Jalitmane10 Newcomers to Watch SCRUBS Newcomers SCRUBS bring a mix of talent and experience to the Core division. Lokterpengar leads the offense with an impressive 30 points in 8 games during ECL 11 Neo, supported by IGurrAI with 39 points from last season in Core. Defensively, HerrLarsson80 adds physicality, while Darkfox_fire_bal offers offensive versatility. In goal, Nobigdeals and gremlingswe will aim to improve their consistency. SCRUBS’ offensive depth makes them a potential dark horse this season. Key Player to Watch: Lokterpengar The Ghillie Gang The Ghillie Gang enters the ECL Core as a largely inexperienced team, with most of the roster making their competitive debut. Goalie Janucek brings the only notable experience from previous Core seasons, providing some stability. While little is known about the team’s overall potential, their debut season will focus on building chemistry and finding their footing in the division. Key Player to Watch: Janucek Predicted Standings (AI generated) Prowlers CapeTown Kings Taskubilis Dynamo Hc Koppibuutti RAIDERS HC The Ghillie Gang Hiljainen Pikkukaupunki SCRUBS Pillipiiparit ERC Ingolstadt ECL '25 Winter – Core: Group 2 ARMEIJAN KURI ARMEIJAN KURI enters the Core division with a highly skilled and experienced roster. The team is spearheaded by MutainenMalik, who delivered a phenomenal 54 points in 18 games last season, leading the offense with his scoring and playmaking abilities. Supporting him are and Wirtaazkin47, who contributed and 46 points respectively, forming a dynamic offensive trio capable of dominating games. Defensively, SUONEKASKOSTAJA_ and wertigosetti19 add stability. ARMEIJAN KURI’s blend of offensive firepower and defensive reliability makes them a formidable opponent this season. Key Player to Watch: MutainenMalik NAM3LESS ECL '24: Spring Performance: Mid-table finish (Core) NAM3LESS had a competitive but inconsistent Spring campaign. Their standout forward, jimmiNOhands, recorded an impressive 56 points, supported by altsu23 with 46 points. Goalie saberLionZero posted a respectable 83.85% save percentage, ensuring the team remained competitive in most games. This season, they’ll aim to translate their offensive firepower into more consistent results. Key Player to Watch: jimmiNOhands HC Lisko ECL '24: Spring Performance: Struggled (Core) HC Lisko endured a challenging season, with their top scorer Laspar contributing 29 points. Despite their struggles, they have potential in their core. Goalie tolbati was a bright spot, with an 82.12% save percentage. Improvement in both offense and defense is essential for Lisko to remain competitive in Group 2. Key Player to Watch: Laspar KOST Wolves ECL '24: Winter Performance: Promoted (Neo) KOST Wolves are new to Core after a strong Neo season. Led by MaroulCZE with 55 points. Goalie Gorkis24CZ has the skills to be a game-changer with a 80.7% save percentage. Their challenge will be adapting to the higher level of competition in Core. Key Player to Watch: MaroulCZE Jurvan Liekki ECL '24: Winter Performance: Mid-table finish (Core) Jurvan Liekki is a resilient team, led by Aap3li-00 with 54 points and heeb__ close behind with 52. Their strong offensive core makes them a playoff contender. Goalie adez1601 provides solid back-end support, with an 83.46% save percentage. If they tighten their defense, Liekki can climb the standings. Key Player to Watch: Aap3li-00 HC Ohiveto ECL '24 Winter Performance: Promoted (Neo) HC Ohiveto’s promotion comes on the back of a solid Neo campaign. hefezuk85 dominated offensively with 83 points, while LeMagnifique2 and Hawkes_ added depth. Their goalie kasuri1 was phenomenal, with an outstanding 89.23% save percentage. Ohiveto has the potential to surprise many in Group 2. Key Player to Watch: hefezuk85 Wildcats eSport I ECL '24 Spring Performance: Mid-table finish (Core) Wildcats eSport had a steady but unremarkable campaign, with Julien92i4760 leading the charge with 38 points. They rely heavily on multimillar88 and Batou-76R for scoring. Key Player to Watch: Julien92i4760 Nordic Nosebleed ECL '24 Winter Performance: Playoff Contenders (Core) Nordic Nosebleed had a strong season, with Sayatu14 racking up 55 points. With consistent performances from jcarlton89, they are expected to be one of the top teams in Group 2. Key Player to Watch: Sayatu14 Nurnberg Nidhoggr ECL '24 Spring Performance: Mid-table finish (Core) Nurnberg Nidhoggr is a defensively solid team, with ITA-Pizzabaecker leading the offense with 30 points. They’ll need more contributions from their supporting cast to compete for a playoff spot.. Key Player to Watch: ITA-Pizzabaecker New Teams to Watch Reckless Panthers: The Panthers step into the ECL Core with a mix of seasoned Core players and promising talent. Notable additions include forward Palawatsch, whose standout performance in the Spring season with HC Lugano Academy produced 38 points in just 12 games, and Schuster060796, an all-round forward with a proven record of 46 points across 20 games. On the defensive side, XBeast_of_MercyX brings solid two-way play and experience from Huskies eSports, while goalie just-boopi provides a reliable presence in net after a strong season with Crazy Capricorns. Key Player to Watch: Palawatsch Maitojuna Maitojuna enters the ECL Core as a fresh addition, bringing a mix of untested players and a few with prior ECL experience. The backbone of their roster comes from Aake Kallialan Laituri, with standout performances from forward Minaolenmakke, who tallied 36 points in 20 games during the Spring season, showcasing a knack for finishing and playmaking. The team's goaltending duo, proffa82 and Jurkkaa, both had solid showings last season, posting save percentages of 85.93% and 84.18% respectively, ensuring a dependable last line of defense. While many on the roster are ECL newcomers, their mix of energy and adaptability may make them a wildcard in the competition. Key Player to Watch: Minaolenmakke Salaseura Salaseura makes its debut in ECL Core, bringing a roster that blends experienced players from Neo-level success and fresh talent venturing into their first ECL campaign. The team's strength lies in its offensive depth, with standout forwards like velmu2 and old_33 leading the charge. Velmu2 notched an impressive 38 points in 14 games last season, while old_33 contributed 34 points, proving their ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. On the defensive end, Salaseura can count on solid goaltending from Aivokuollut__, who recorded an impressive 86.73% save percentage and a 1.86 GAA in the Spring Neo season. With such consistency in net and a potent offense, Salaseura looks poised to make a competitive entry into the Core division. Key Player to Watch: Velmu2 AI Predicted Standings ARMEIJAN KURI NAM3LESS Nurnberg Nidhoggr KOST Wolves Nordic Nosebleed Maitojuna Wildcats esport I Hc Ohiveto HC Lisko Salaseura, Reckless Panthers Jurvan Liekki ECL '25 Winter – Core: Group 3 Silver Sword Griffins ECL '24: Spring Performance: Quarterfinal Exit (Core) Silver Sword Griffins (SSG) enter this season as a solid playoff contender. LATMinx led the charge last season with 40 points, while SchoolBoyZFN and martinssilins provided essential secondary scoring. Their goalie gacorigavecit17 was reliable with an 83.93% save percentage. With a balanced roster, they have the tools to challenge for a top spot in Group 2. Key Player to Watch: LATMinx PANIC ON ICE ECL '24: Spring Core Performance: Round 1 Exit (Core) Panic On Ice showcased strong offensive depth last season, led by TemeF1Nx (who has now left the team) with 57 points, moikka11 with 54, and TVNIILO9494 contributing 50. Their balanced playstyle and disciplined defense make them a tough opponent. sMiiga has replaced FlaaZii in the net. He comes from a solid performance in the pro team Mustaa Kultaa where he was backup 24 winter. he has on his side Jam66_Bo who looks to be counted as backup under 25 spring, ensuring consistency. With their offensive firepower and reliable goaltending, Panic On Ice is a strong playoff contender. Key Player to Watch: moikka11 Turun Gasellit ECL '24: Spring Performance: Mid-table finish (Lite) After a respectable Lite season, Turun Gasellit have moved up to Core. pohjarzinho were their standout performer with over 40 points. Despite their offensive strengths, their goalie SirRaitanen struggled with a 74.15% save percentage. Improved defensive play will be essential for success in Core. Key Player to Watch: pohjarzinho HC Last Resort ECL '24: Spring Performance: Mid-table finish (Core) HC Last Resort faced challenges last season but has signed Tolliikkii from Refuse Too Lose where he scored 76 points in 26 games. Their goalie Vxxlle-_-showed potential with an 81.48% save percentage. If their defense improves, Last Resort could surprise many in this competitive group. Key Player to Watch: Tolliikki Pulp Odyssey ECL '24: Spring Performance: Playoff Contenders (Core) Pulp Odyssey had a strong Spring season, led by Valosaari92, who tallied 23 points. They also benefited from balanced contributions from Kemboi92. Goalie IrJe2023 was a standout, with an 83.63% save percentage. This season, Pulp Odyssey is expected to continue their push for playoff success Key Player to Watch: Valosaari92 BACKCHECK BOYS ECL '24: Spring Performance: Promoted (Neo) BACKCHECK BOYS had a stellar run in Neo, earning promotion to Core. Ydstie99 led the way with 43 points, while hedstrom_1999 provided key secondary scoring. Their goalie Davvem26 delivered a solid 81.82% save percentage. As newcomers, they’ll aim to establish themselves early in Core competition. Key Player to Watch: Ydstie99 Brunker Bulldogs ECL '24: Spring Performance: Struggled (Core) Brunker Bulldogs faced a challenging season, finishing near the bottom of the table. Despite the struggles, Ederby74 was a bright spot with 40 points. Goalie Igelkottskonung recorded an 81.22% save percentage but faced heavy workloads. They’ll need a collective improvement to climb the standings this season. Key Player to Watch: Ederby74 New Teams to Watch Kurbads Warriors: Formerly known as the Latvian Warriors, Kurbads Warriors return to the Core division with a familiar core of players and a mix of fresh ambitions. The team is built around its offensive centerpiece, Kekava, who was a dominant force in the Winter Core season, amassing an impressive 59 points in 18 games, showcasing both goal-scoring prowess and playmaking ability. On the defensive side, the team benefits from the experience of ZeJukums, who contributed 23 points last season with the Silver Sword Griffins, bringing valuable Core-level experience to the squad. In goal, scorps_13 leads the charge with a solid 83.62% save percentage and a GAA of 2.38, providing stability between the pipes. Key Player to Watch: Kekava KELAGOLDCARD HC KELAGOLDCARD HC steps into the Core division with a mix of returning players and newcomers eager to make an impression. The standout among the roster is Romurallimies, who had a strong performance in the Lite division last season, tallying 37 points in 18 games with the BushWhackers. His goal-scoring and clutch play, highlighted by six game-winning goals, will be a key asset for the team. With several players making their ECL debut and others returning after a break, the team’s chemistry and adaptability will play a significant role in their success. Goalie K3mpny begins his first ECL campaign, bringing intrigue to the team's defensive setup. Key Player to Watch: Romurallimies RODIS Enters the Core division as a fresh contender with a roster comprising both debutants and returning players. While many players, including goalie Pekkakaukalo23 and forward marjala7, are stepping onto the ECL stage for the first time, the team also features experienced individuals such as Pallomasi24 and Puuhastelija24, who bring valuable insight from past campaigns. The team's success will depend on how quickly the roster can gel and adapt to the competitive demands of the Core division. With a mix of fresh talent and seasoned players, RODIS is poised to be an unpredictable opponent. Key Player to Watch: Kortsupipo66 MIESKISSAT Enters the Core division as an entirely new team, with all players making their ECL debut. While their lack of experience at this level presents a challenge, it also brings unpredictability and fresh energy to the competition. Led by goalie MikkeH and a roster full of first-time participants, the team’s success will hinge on their ability to quickly adapt to the demands of the Core division. With enthusiasm and the opportunity to grow, MIESKISSAT is a true wildcard in this season's competition. Key Player to Watch: BoomeriGaimeri AI Predicted Standings Silver Sword Griffins PANIC ON ICE Pulp Odyssey KELAGOLDCARD HC HC Last Resort BACKCHECK BOYS MIESKISSAT Turun Gasellit Kurbads Warriors Brunker Bulldogs RODIS The battle for playoff spots will be fierce, with several teams poised to surprise. Let the games begin! ECL '25 Winter – Core: Group 4 Preview SKYFALL ECL '22 Winter Performance: Solid Mid-table Finish (Core) SKYFALL is led by their offensive powerhouse stu_rulez, who tallied an impressive 69 points last season the team played. Supported by Koutsinaattori, this team boasts a strong offensive. SKYFALL’s depth makes them a strong playoff contender. Key Player to Watch: stu_rulez Rusty X ECL '24 Spring Performance: Relegated (Lite to Core) Rusty X arrives in Core after a weak season in Lite. Kasterly_ was a top scorer with 20 points, but the team needs consistent contributions from its supporting cast. Rusty X will look to build on their momentum. Key Player to Watch: Kasterly_ EHC Olten eSports ECL '24: Spring Performance: Struggled (Lite) EHC Olten had a tough time last season, with Stevekoeck standing out offensively with 45 points. Goalie House_Pro was dependable, with a 74.74% save percentage. The team needs to improve its defensive play to be competitive in Core. Key Player to Watch: Stevekoeck Karmadillos ECL '23: Winter Performance: Mid-table (Lite) Karmadillos bring balance to their lineup, highlighted by stimperi’s offensive contributions (46 points) for HC Palosaari last ecl but they need some strong goaltending from VilppiSami. They’ll rely on experience to navigate the challenges of Core. Key Player to Watch: stimperi The Solution ECL '24: Spring Performance: Struggled (Lite) The Solution will depend on Platy666 and Staggelito to lead the scoring, but their defensive record remains a concern. Goalie Liimp_92 will need to perform at his peak for the team to climb the standings. Key Player to Watch: Platy666 EV Duisburg ECL '24: Spring Performance: Competitive (Core) EV Duisburg impressed last season with GreatOne139 leading their attack (28 points) and goalie MarvinJVfL1848 showcasing stellar performances, with an 88.47% save percentage. This team is well-positioned to secure a playoff spot. Key Player to Watch: GreatOne139 Dompa HC ECL '24: Winter Performance: Relegated (Lite) Dompa HC’s Relegated comes after a week Lite season, where L-sk1y-L led the offense with 49 points. Goalie. Their success depends on how they adapt to Core competition. Key Player to Watch: L-sk1y-L Lutunilkat ECL '24: Spring Performance: Playoff Contenders (Core) Lutunilkat’s offense revolves around Pyssyh (58 points) and lutuniemi (56 points). Goalie Hiatala_ supports their campaign with an impressive 85.79% save percentage. Lutunilkat has the depth and talent to be a top team in Group 4. Key Player to Watch: Pyssyh New Teams to Watch Tikitaka Tikitaka enters the Core division with a mix of players returning to the ECL and a few newcomers eager to make their mark. The standout in the roster is TansKungen, who delivered an impressive 32 points in 20 games for Carpe Diem in Lite last season, showcasing his ability to lead the offense. Niccoers adds further scoring depth, coming off a strong Neo campaign with 27 points in 14 games. In goal, HakkisBro will make his ECL debut, anchoring a team that will need strong defensive performances to complement their offensive talent. With a mix of proven scorers and returning players, Tikitaka is poised to be a competitive addition to the Core division. Key Player to Watch: TansKungen Wida Academy Wida Academy steps into the Core division with a roster blending ECL experience and fresh talent. Forward karwa22 stands out as the team’s offensive leader, with an impressive 24 points in 14 games during the Spring Core season. He’ll be supported by Jonzei, a consistent contributor who tallied 19 points in just nine games in Neo. On the defensive side, eeppo88 brings Core-level experience, adding stability and two-way capability. In goal, ju_lle makes his ECL debut, anchoring the team as they adapt to the challenges of Core competition. With its mix of scoring talent and returning players, Wida Academy has the potential to make a competitive impact in its first Core season. Key Player to Watch: karwa22 Sopranos Sopranos make their return to the Core division with a roster featuring experienced Core-level players and a few new faces. Leading the team is kalle244, a proven offensive powerhouse who recorded an impressive 56 points in 22 games with North Sawo Lions. Supporting him is bnkoXD, who delivered 39 points in the Spring Core season, showcasing his scoring ability and clutch performances. The team’s depth is further strengthened by Heatley91 and asaastamo, both contributing consistently with over 25 points each last season. In goal, Redhawk1765 steps into his first ECL campaign, adding an element of uncertainty to their defensive setup. With a mix of high-caliber forwards and experienced Core veterans, the Sopranos are well-positioned to make a strong comeback this season. Key Player to Watch: kalle244 AI Predicted Standings SKYFALL Lutunilkat Sopranos Tikitaka Karmadillos EV Duisburg Wida Academy Rusty X EHC Olten eSports Dompa HC The Solution We want your clips! Did you make an incredible play or have a funny blooper? Share your best moments on social media using the hashtag #ECL25Clips and get a chance to be featured in our broadcasts. Social media Please tag @SportsGamerGG and use the hashtag #ECL25Winter when posting on social media. You can also use the hashtags #KouvolanLakritsi #eHockey. Also note that when editing your team info, you can add your social media accounts to your team information. The same goes for your player card. Season schedule Regular Season duration: 17.11-19.12.2024 Estimated finals date: Below is the estimated date for the Finals (BO7) to be approximately played. We reserve the right to changes in schedule. ECL Core Finals 31.1.-1.2.2025 Good luck to all the teams as they hit the virtual ice. Have fun and let the games begin!

Hello, eHockey fans and players! It's finally the moment we've been waiting for: The start of the ECL '25 Winter regular season! In this article, let's take a look at 12 interesting teams and/or biggest favorites to win it all. Who are potential candidates to fight for an ECL Pro promotion this season? And of course, let's pick some of the players to watch closer from every group in the middle division of our five tiers of the European Championship League, ECL Lite. Group 1 Puck Over Glass Last season this team couldn't make their way into the Lite playoffs. Now it looks like they have something good brewing because they won the ECL '25: Pre-Season - Lite & Core tournament with an explosive performance! First, they topped their group with a solid 12-0-0-2 record but after that, they swept themselves all the way to victory winning every series 2-0, two of their players being top two in playoff points. That's already a very impressive progression compared to last season! Surely they are full of confidence because of this so it definitely would not be a shock to see these guys make a deep playoff run this season! Player to watch: Hydeee_24 MoDo Hockey After not getting into Pro through the Qualifier even though they came close, a lot depends on how they recover from that disappointment. They are still capable of achieving a good result in Lite like they did last season by going to the top 8 and being one win away from the semifinals. They have an organized and fairly physical playbook, in the Pro Qualifier, they recorded the most hits by far compared to others. Player to watch: MrXbox79 DEG eSports There is always an extra factor of interest towards teams affiliated with traditional ice hockey clubs. However, this team has also proven that they can play organized and well-structured team play. They had a nice playoff run last season in Lite going into the quarterfinals and losing there against the team that went to the finals. After that they got knocked out from the ECL Pro Qualifier in Stage 1 only with a small margin, since if their one overtime loss had turned into a win it would've been enough to make it into Stage 2. Being that close surely only gives them more hunger to achieve a Pro spot for the Spring season! Player to watch: MEAZZA1704 Group 2 Project X It has been a few seasons since we last saw this team, back in ECL '23: Spring - Pro. Now they are back led by their captain, one of the most recognizable names in ECL Lite this season - 2023 IIHF eWorld Champion JesseL2002. But there are actually a few players who represented Project X's previous roster. One of them is Torvelajr__ who has a very realistic chance to be one of the top if not the best goalies of this division. This team definitely has experience, individual skills, and probably also some kind of reunion spirit. If they get a smooth and consistent flow going through the season, they surely have a great chance for the championship. Player to watch: JesseL2002 KohKae Esports KohKae earned a straight promotion to Lite by being champions of ECL '24: Spring - Core. It's always fascinating to follow champion teams and see if they can continue the success from the lower division when moving up a tier. Obviously, it's hard to think of a better foundation for a new season than winning the previous one - especially when the team's roster has stayed almost identical. khassu-- - who had a clutch performance in their championship run being #1 in playoffs of both GAA (1.19) and save% (90.31) - stays as their starting goalie. Can he keep up that form? KohKae's defensive pair stays the same: Eashl_kalle and LihaPoni90, who both were top-scoring defensemen of the Core playoffs last season. Player to watch: khassu-- HC Pustertal eSports HC Pustertal, consisting mostly of Finnish players, represents the Italian hockey club as their official eSports squad. Hullued - who was an Elite goalie in Renascor last season, including one playoff series played - seems to play center now, but this isn't new business for him. Hullued has played roughly 50% of his career as a skater and 50% as a goalie in many different tiers and leagues and he seems to be like a Swiss army knife; any position and performance is solid. Pustertal's current goalie Kibk_RuZaKuZa had a great last season in Lite with Mights so it will be interesting to see if we will see the same kind of work between the pipes again. The also versatile Ollizhki27 is the definition of an experienced player. He has played ECL ever since ECL Season 1 in 2015, including ECL Pro and also different national leagues. Player to watch: Hullued Eisbaeren Lauf Gaming This club from Germany made its ECL debut already in ECL 12 and has been playing in different divisions since then. Most recently they played a few seasons in Pro and even though they never managed to make their way into playoffs there, I believe that experience playing against tough Pro opponents will be very useful in Lite. wobfighter saved 87.27% of the shots he faced in the Pro Qualifiers, which sounds decent considering they lost half of their games. I see him as a potential candidate for the top goalie of the Lite season. Eisbaren's expected top point scorer is none other than KenuFHR, who is a dangerous and sneaky forward if the opponent leaves him unguarded. My minimum prediction would be to see this team in the top 16. Player to watch: KenuFHR Group 3 Hopfensmoothie HC Hopfensmoothie HC is a Swiss team with some players who have Elite and Pro experience, such as originaL-SnuS from the top Central European team The Black Jacks / ZSC Lions. This is actually the former team for many other players on this HHC roster. Just like SnuS was for TBJ, he is also the captain of this HHC team and has been the leader on ice by being their top scorer both in the regular season and the playoffs last season in ECL Lite. I_Alex28_I was also one of their key players in the playoffs by scoring 12 points in 15 games played. He also made an impressive 44 points in 12 games played recently in the Lite & Core Pre-Season, where Hopfensmoothie showed that their members are still in strong form by finishing #1in their group with a 9-3-1-1 record. Hopfensmoothie made their way to the Lite quarterfinals last season and thus were entitled to take part in the Pro qualifier and surely could've been able to make a good result there. The team, however, decided to stay in Lite. They are definitely one of the teams capable of winning the championship this season. Player to watch: originaL-SnuS Sunne IK Esport Sunne IK is another team that missed the Lite playoffs last season but seems to have been leveling up their game exponentially. Their record was a very solid 11-1-1-1 in the Pre-Season, where they were also the top-scoring team with 96 goals, which is not a surprising number when looking at regular season and playoffs top scorers that are both full of Sunne guys. The big question is: Is Sunne able to keep that firepower since two of those top scorers apparently are not playing for this team anymore? After that in playoffs, they continued their good form, losing only three games, out of which two in the BO3 finals against Puck Over Glass. Comparing their current roster to last season's roster, it seems like they have kept their team core pretty patiently but they also made some moves like the signing of benjamint737 who should be a great goalie for Lite level with his Elite and Pro experience. Player to watch: benjamint737 Setelikerho Team with loads of Pro and even some Elite experience, so definitely any team playing against them should expect an opponent who is not shaking in tight situations and has trust in their team play because they are familiar with each other. In fact Jugi9, Tanski87, armoton-kaulin, Kozeec, and Jesse6115 all played previously in Supernatural so I guess this is kind of a rebranded team from that. Player to watch: Kozeec Group 4 Kikkakirja Kikkakirja went through the Pre-Season regular season with an 11-0-1-2 record and after that ran into the semifinals. Their game style actually seems to live up to their name (translation Deke Book/Trick Book) but still not at the cost of defending since only two teams had fewer goals against them compared to Kikkakirja's 28 goals allowed. Their RD Kahvinpapu already has some ECL Pro experience and has been doing a good job as an offensive d-men. Their captain PyroNiko__ also played Pro last season with N0VA, even though he didn't play many games he was efficient in those with over 2 PPG. Player to watch: PyroNiko__ Technical Disaster TED is already starting the 6th ECL season together. Solid Lite team season after season, this time they were also close to making it into Pro through the qualifiers but fell short in the last round. They still have familiar faces from their previous rosters, like key players Kaapo13 and wrlster who have both always been creating good results in Lite individually. It wouldn't be a surprise if Technical Disaster could reach the top of this division sooner or later. Player to watch: Kaapo13 VBO STARS Swedish team VBO STARS got a taste of gold medals a few months ago when they won the championship of SEC 16. While it was not the same exact roster as now, this team might actually be the team with most former Elite players this season in Lite; I-Bror-I, eBasstian, and Kattenj all played in the highest tier not too long ago, but none in the latest season, so will be interesting to see how their experience will carry on for this season in ECL Lite. Player to watch: I-Bror-I SSK Prospects Another Swedish team! One of the three ECL teams of Södertälje SK. Despite their name "Prospects", this team is not just a group of young guns. There are also many experienced players on this team - in fact, I would say players a little bit over the average age of ECL players. This mixed with some of their younger players could have a lot of potential if they find chemistry! Players like Viktorhall and HambergD who have many seasons played in Pro and sveti- could be great leaders in the group even in Elite, as well as experienced r4mme-0 who played Pre-Season for the dominant #1 seed team before signing with SSK. Player to watch: Viktorhall We want your clips! Did you make an incredible play or have a funny blooper? Share your best moments on social media using the hashtag #ECL25Clips and get a chance to be featured in our broadcasts. Social media Please tag @SportsGamerGG and use the hashtag #ECL25Winter when posting on social media. You can also use the hashtags #KouvolanLakritsi #eHockey. Also note that when editing your team info, you can add your social media accounts to your team information. The same goes for your player card. Season schedule Regular Season duration: 17.11-19.12.2024 Estimated finals date: Below is the estimated date for the Finals (BO7) to be approximately played. We reserve the right to changes in schedule. ECL Lite Finals 4.-5.2.2025 Good luck to all the teams as they hit the virtual ice. Have fun and let the games begin! Players mentioned in this article: @Hydeee_24@MrXbox79@Meazza1704@JesseL2002@Torvelajr__@khassu--@Eashl_kalle@LihaPoni90@Hullued@Kibk_RuZaKuZa@Ollizhki@wobfighter@Kenu@benjamint737@Kozeec@Jugi9@Tanski87@armoton-kaulin@Kahvinpapu@PyroNiko@Kaapo13@wrlster@Kattenj@eBasstian@svetidaje@Viktorhall@HambergD@r4mme@Original-SnuS@I_Alex28_I