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The ECL '26: Spring season is right around the corner, but let's have a final look at our Winter season with our individual player awards of the Elite division! The winners were voted by captains and staff members. Player of The Season The Player of The Season award is awarded to a player who has excelled above the competition in their own position. Winner: @Patzlaf Defender of The Season The Defender of The Season award is awarded to a player who has excelled above the competition in their defenseman position. Winner: @FlyerKungen Goalie of The Season The Goalie of The Season award is awarded to a player who has excelled above the competition in their goaltender position. Winner: @Stammer70 Rookie of The Season The Rookie Of The Season award is awarded to a player in their rookie ECL Pro season, who has excelled above the competition regardless of position. Winner: @dippen04 Two-Way Forward of The Season The Two-Way Forward of the season is awarded to a forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. Winner: @Patzlaf Transfer of The Season The Transfer of the Season award is given to a player who after a mid-season transfer is considered to have been the most impactful player for their new team. Winner: @Jemmuuu Comeback Player of The Season The Comeback Player of the Season award is given to a player who after one or more seasons away from ECL Elite competition makes the most impactful comeback to the highest level. Winner: @Patzlaf

There’s something about a new ECL season that just hits differently, a new chance to make a name for yourself; it is indeed the best time of the season. The Pro division is back, and once again, it’s packed with storylines and familiar teams that we’ve seen before, and others are just starting their journey together. Every team comes in with something to prove. For some, it’s about finally taking that next step towards the Elite division. For others, it’s redemption after falling short. And then there are those just trying to show they belong at this level. In this article, we’re tak a closer look at a few teams ahead of the season, some key roster changes, and the early signs from preseason to get a feel for how things might play out. As always, there will be surprises. The only question is: who’s ready to take their moment? And as always, remember that these are only one person's opinions.   Title Contenders Reality Check  They're back! After many seasons, Reality Check have made a comeback, and through the Pro division qualifiers, they've claimed their spot in the Pro division, and are immediately looking to be the best that the Pro division has to offer. After gathering most of their old squad back, they've found some new blood and will surely be the team to watch this season. It’s the kind of return that instantly grabs attention. There’s history here, there’s chemistry already built in, and now it’s been reinforced with fresh pieces that could elevate them even further. The big question isn’t whether they can compete, it’s whether they can hit top form quickly enough to dominate from the start. If everything clicks, this could be a team that doesn’t just aim for the top but sets the standard for everyone else. Player To Watch: @cTunkeilija   Golden Buffalos  The almighty Golden Buffalos are back in the Pro division after a somewhat "rough" season in Elite. After a lot of soul-searching, their captain has once again managed to lure Elite champions to play in Pro; some pull he has. With these signings, the Buffalos immediately put themself at the top of the power rankings in the Pro division. Now, as the Buffalos look to take their talent back to Elite, we'll wait eagerly for what they have to offer. Even after a down year by their standards, this is still a team that carries serious weight. The ability to bring in proven Elite-level players speaks volumes about both their ambition and reputation. On paper, they might be the most stacked roster in the division, but expectations come with pressure. Anything less than dominance will feel like underachievement. If they find their rhythm early, they could run through the league. If not, things could get surprisingly tense. Player To Watch: @Patzlaf Unique  After coming so close not once, but twice, missing out on the Elite division, Unique is back in the Pro division and hope to accomplish their goal of promotion. After a tough finals loss to POGGERS last season, and then in the Elite qualifiers to Unwanted, they're back, hungrier than ever to show the community that they don't belong in the Pro division anymore. There’s a real sense of unfinished business surrounding this team. Falling short twice in a row like that either breaks you or fuels you, and everything points to Unique coming back more driven than ever. They’ve already shown they can go toe-to-toe with the best, but now it’s about getting over that final hurdle. If they can channel that frustration into consistency, they won’t just be contenders, they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs. Player To Watch: Nordzman ( @LE1PAKONE)   Starstrucked  Starstrucked came to the Pro division through the qualifiers, and they bulldozed themselves to become one of the favourites. Brimming with offensive talent, Starstrucked issues will be similar to those of Greatest last season. Can a team with immense individual talent work together to accomplish a common goal? Only time will tell! They'll make a deep run without a doubt, and if they can keep the puck out of their own net, they will be a force to be reckoned with. There’s no denying the raw firepower on this roster. On their day, they can outscore anyone and make it look easy. But as we’ve seen time and time again, talent alone doesn’t guarantee success at this level. The real test will be structure, buying into a system, staying disciplined, and trusting each other when games get tight. If they figure that out, they’re not just a fun team to watch; they’re a legitimate threat to win it all. Player To Watch: @vilppijoona Playoff Bound NOSTREESPORTS  Their performance last season was a positive outcome after a short hiatus, and they had a great regular season. After the departure of @1mmu9 & @Borjendahlen their new signings @LeiskaViis7 & @Pensasmies have big shoes to fill if they want to advance past round 1 of the playoffs. With the season already underway, they have a short time to get their ducks in a row for the season opener, but all eyes will be on their captain @Bot_hene to see what he has managed to cook with the little time he has. There’s a bit of uncertainty around this team right now. Losing key players is never easy, especially when they were central to last season’s success. The replacements have potential, but stepping into those roles comes with pressure. Early games could be telling us if they find chemistry quickly or struggle to adjust. If the new pieces click and the leadership holds things together, they could surprise people again. If not, they might find themselves stuck just short of where they want to be. Player To Watch: @LeiskaViis7   Otukset  The mainstay of Pro now for a few seasons, they always seem to be on the cusp of Elite, but last season was a much more difficult one than the past ones. They barely made the playoffs and made it tough on the 1st seed Finnish Roosters, taking them to game 7 before crumbling. Now a new season and the same guys still together, what makes Otukset great is how they can challenge even the best of teams yet fall short when the going gets tough, which Otukset team will we see this season? It almost feels like we say the same thing about Otukset every season, and yet it keeps being true. They have the ability to push top teams to the limit, but closing out those big moments has been the missing piece. The continuity in their roster is a strength, but it also means the pressure is on to finally evolve. Are they the team that nearly pulls off upsets, or the one that actually finishes the job this time? That answer will define their season. Player To Watch: @juhkis96   Carpe Diem  Carpe Diem surprised a lot of teams last season with how they played the game, a lot of skill and great defense, as they finished second in their group a lot of whispers were going around about how that was possible, they seemed to be in over their heads and heading into the playoffs where they were taken down by a lackluster Aspyre team that ultimately were too hard to handle for the Finnish team. Heading into the new season, they want to take that next step in their game; however, all that matters is how good you can perform when the games get tough, so do they have what it takes to raise their level? Last season proved they belong in the conversation, but it also raised expectations. It’s one thing to surprise teams, it’s another to back it up when everyone is ready for you. Their structure and defensive play give them a solid foundation, but playoff hockey demands another level. If they can find that extra edge when it matters most, they could move from “playoff bound” to genuine contender territory. Player To Watch: @Bipes_bip0rus No-Man's Land Brynäs IF E-Sports  For a while, Brynäs seemed to be trending as a team that always makes the playoffs, but after last season, they seemed to be missing that spark. With a few roster changes, Brynäs hope to make a change in their game, and we'll see if that pays off in the mid-season report, but now all eyes are on their core to step up. This season will shape their future, so be on the lookout for major changes if things don't go as they had hoped. This feels like a bit of a crossroads season for Brynäs. The expectations aren’t as clear as before, and that consistency they once relied on is now in question. The changes they’ve made could either refresh the team or create more instability, and early performances will likely set the tone. If their core players step up, they can steady the ship. If not, this could be the start of a bigger rebuild than expected. Player To Watch: @Vibholm_10 Turun Gasellit With the way Turun Gasellit plays, they surprised a lot of teams on offense, scoring an average north of 3 goals per game last season, which paved the way for their playoff debut in Pro, but that was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances and ended just falling short. With the new season brimming, Turun Gasellit have something not a lot of teams seem to have: chemistry. They've played together for a long time, and they play like it too. Everybody is on the same page, and that goes a long way in the ECL. That kind of chemistry is hard to build and even harder to break down. You can see it in how they move the puck, how they read each other’s plays; it gives them an edge that doesn’t always show up on paper. The challenge now is turning that into consistent results against stronger, more prepared opponents. If they can combine that chemistry with a bit more resilience in key moments, they could quietly climb higher than many expect. Player To Watch: @pohjarzinho   Grim Reapers HC  The Central European team can't seem to string together wins. After last season, the Grim Reapers' disappointing season, finishing in 9th place, the primarily French team has changed names and rebranded, and hoped for a spark. The truth will still be the same; the talent isn't there. If they can break the stigma of being a rollercoaster team and put up a few win streaks, they might just be on the right side of the playoff line come playoffs. Right now, it’s hard to ignore the pattern. There are flashes of competitiveness, but they’ve struggled to turn that into anything sustained. The rebrand might bring a fresh mindset, but ultimately, it comes down to performances on the ice. If they can find even a bit of consistency, they could stay in the playoff conversation longer than expected. But if the same issues persist, it’s likely to be another frustrating season hovering just below the cutoff. Player To Watch: @Berty     Relegation Fallen Rangers  There’s no easy way to put it, this looks like it could be a long, difficult season for Fallen Rangers. The Czech/Slovak side comes into the Spring season without much momentum, and on paper, they’re up against teams that simply look more polished, more experienced, and more consistent across the board. That said, the one thing working in their favor might be unpredictability. Teams at this level tend to prepare for structured, familiar playstyles, and Fallen Rangers could catch a few opponents off guard if they lean into their own identity and play without hesitation. Early in the season, especially, that kind of wildcard factor can steal points where you wouldn’t expect it. Still, over the course of a full season, it’s hard to rely on surprise alone. Consistency, discipline, and depth usually decide who stays up, and right now, those are big question marks. Unless something clicks quickly or they find a way to grind out results, the fight to avoid relegation could turn into an uphill battle. They don’t need to be perfect, but they will need to find something solid to build on, and fast, if they want to avoid a return to the Lite division. Player To Watch: @Kiso69   HC Malvi Same story for the Finns, it's going to be tough to beat veterans in Pro and get those crucial points needed to stay alive, but never underestimate a team that has no expectations. If they want to stay in the Pro division, it will require resilience and a lot of luck; we'll see where that gets them. There’s a certain freedom that comes with being overlooked. With no real pressure on their shoulders, the Finns can play their own game and potentially catch more established teams off guard, especially early in the season. That said, experience usually wins out in the long run, and the Pro division is unforgiving when it comes to small mistakes. Player To Watch: @gettera4   REMINDER: We are looking for writers. If you're interested - read more here.  

In an effort to boost our editorial coverage outside the realm of division-specific ECL content, we've enlisted NHL.com/sv writer, and long-time ECL player, Hampus Duvefelt (l-Furyan-l) to provide a series of special columns for SportsGamer.GG throughout the NHL 26 cycle. This is the second edition. THE BUSINESS OF WINNING Winning has been on my mind lately. I don't say that to make it out like I am some kind of mentality monster; that my sole nourishment is winning and that I wake up every day ready to feast on the flesh of my enemies. Sure, I like winning. In fact, I love it. It's the reason I compete here at SportsGamer. But it is not the be-all and end-all of everything. At least not outside of this game that we all play and love (or hate?). Even so, winning has been on my mind. Or rather, the stories we tell ourselves (and others) about what constitutes a winner. The narratives we create. Being involved in hockey media – and consuming an unhealthy amount of it even when off the clock – I see it every day. "Oh, you just can't win with this guy" or "This guy is a born winner, this is the type of player you acquire if you want to go for it". It's everywhere. Everyone has their own narrative around a specific player, more often than not shaped by the opinion of others. It came into focus for me recently when watching the Olympics and following the aftermath of the final between USA and Canada. I saw Connor Hellebuyck, a player the majority of media and fans had decided couldn't get it done when it mattered, play out of his mind during the finals in one of the best goaltending performances I'd ever seen. I saw Auston Matthews, a player many had written off due to his failings in the playoffs in the NHL, captain a squad to a gold medal on the biggest stage in the world. And I saw Connor McDavid, possibly the greatest hockey player of all time when all is said and done, come up short. Again. The short reprieve McDavid received when he led Canada to the 4 Nations title last year was suddenly gone and again the narrative was "this guy can't get it done when it matters the most". Matthew Tkachuk is another interesting example. Titles just seem to follow him everywhere he goes, winning two Stanley Cups recently and now an Olympic gold medal. Yet it can be argued he, like Matthews, had less of an impact on his team in the tournament than McDavid did. Who is a winner and who is not? Well, before I derail my train of thought here and lose hold of your interest, dear reader, I'd like to posit my argument and my inspiration for writing all this. See, my take is that winners aren't born. They're made. They are made when (really) good players do everything they humanly can to put themselves in a position to succeed again and again, until they do. For some, that is right away. For others, it takes time. Hell, even Sidney Crosby lost a Stanley Cup final before he won it all. It won't happen for everyone. But I would argue that you can't know for sure who "has it" or who "will never have it" until everything is said and done. Case in point; Hellebuyck. His narrative blew up the moment he had a gold medal hung around his neck. Some might say this epiphany of mine is an obvious conclusion, but not everyone will agree. Some will look at a player like Tkachuk and say: "Ah, that guy is a born winner". Was he, though? Did he not first spend six years with the Calgary Flames, never making it past the 2nd round of the playoffs? Did he not lose in his first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup finals and in the 4 Nations finals (albeit injured in both)? If you ask me, Tkachuk wasn't born a winner. He has always appeared to have a winner's mentality, sure, but he had to both fight and stay patient to get across that finish line. Until he made himself a winner. You look at players like McDavid, like Nathan MacKinnon. The way they dedicate every fibre of their being to winning; the nutrition, the practice habits, the mentality. Their grim faces on the bench and in the media, even after winning games. If something doesn't get them closer to a title, they are not interested. And yet, MacKinnon – who famously said "I'm in my 10th year in the league and I haven't won shit" – has "just" the one Stanley Cup win. McDavid has none. They are the best players in the world right now and they eat, live and breathe winning, but they simply cannot do it alone. In hockey, no one can. The same goes for virtual hockey. Because even though we have just six active players for each game, not 20, and we play the full "60" minutes of a game instead of 20 – meaning each individual player is afforded the opportunity to have a bigger impact on the game than in actual hockey – we still cannot do it on our own. Circumstances matter. Teammates matter. Opponents matter. Timing matters. I look at players like Patzlaf and FlyerKungen, who just weeks ago won their first Elite titles since 2021. Or a player like Eki, who last year finished out his ECL career by winning his first Elite title in quite a few years. I've never looked at these players as anything but winners, even though they hadn't been on the winning side of a final for some time. Sure, it helped that they had gotten it done before so the pedigree was there, but to me they are prime examples of (really) good players who did everything they could to put themselves in positions to succeed, again and again. And under the right circumstances and with the right teammates, they finally did. Again. I look at a player like Antoniomannen, who has won everything there is to win on the Swedish side of things, but who – like most Swedish players on the scene – hadn't experienced that same success in the playoffs at the Elite level. But this past season, he and his team put themselves in a position to succeed and I have no doubt that if they continue to do so, they'll eventually be at the top of the mountain. I look at a player like Sokkelo, who just couldn't seem to get into the playoffs at the Elite level. Then, suddenly, he became a bonafide Finnish champion and nearly led his team to an Elite title (!) in his first ever playoff appearance there. In the span of just two playoff runs, he ended up making those who wrote him off early look quite foolish. I look at a player like KingOfApes_, who has won multiple ECL Elite titles in his career but hasn't been back in the thick of things for a while now. I have no doubt he can get back there again, under the right circumstances. At the same time, I understand the narratives aren't going away. People love telling each other stories. If you listen, I mean really listen, to any conversation between two people, it often has a tendency to evolve into each individual telling the other stories from their perspective. Most of the time, that's how we relate to each other as human beings. The story of McDavid "unable to come up big when it matters" will live on until the day he does. The story of Tkachuk being a "born winner" is strong enough to survive the Panthers missing the playoffs this year – and probably a few more years after that, should it happen. But stories and narratives are just that, stories and narratives. They can change. A playoff run, a series, a game, a single moment even, is sometimes enough to change it. Like Hellebuyck changed his. Like Sokkelo changed his. So, if you are a player who has found yourself involved in a story or narrative you didn't chose to be involved in, remember that it is never too late to change it. Because winners aren't born, they're made.