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    ECL 12 Season Information

    Hello NHLGamers, 

    This article will be a bit detail-heavy and if you're new to the ECL this article will most likely not answer all of your questions. The intention of this article is to bring clarity to the upcoming ECL 12 season; When will it be played? When can I sign up? Who is qualified for what level?

     

    ECL_12_Season_Information.jpg

     

    Due to the introduction of our new Core division and the restructuring of other divisions coming with that this season, we are now launching signups exceptionally early in order to ensure proper time for qualifiers that need to take place before the regular season starts. That is also why the signups will be concluded in two various groups, as instructed below:

    • Sign-up period 1: 23.3-7.4, applies to
      • ECL Elite
      • ECL Pro
      • ECL Lite
      • ECL Pro Qualifier
      • ECL Lite Qualifier
         
    • Sign-up period 2: 23.3-19.4, applies to
      • ECL Core
      • ECL Neo

    When the signup window for ECL Elite, Pro, Lite and the Qualifiers has shut, we will be ready to start the preseason qualifiers in order to determine who will land at which level and to ensure the maximum competitiveness of each division. Here's a layout of the season schedule starting with the Qualifiers:

    • ECL Pro & ECL Lite Qualifiers 14.4-29.4
       
    • Regular Season Kick-Off Dates:
      • ECL Neo 25.4
      • ECL Core 2.5
      • ECL Lite 9.5
      • ECL Pro 20.5
      • ECL Elite 24.5
         
    • Playoff Dates:
      • ECL Neo 30.5-4.7.
      • ECL Core 6.6-16.7
      • ECL Lite 13.6-18.7
      • ECL Pro 28.6-28.7
      • ECL Elite 5.7-31.7.
         

    All dates are preliminary, but according to current plans. We realize that a lot of the season will be played during the beautiful summer months, so we ask that teams take this into account and make sure there are enough players on the roster to complete the season successfully. There will be a midsummer break from June 24th to the 27th during which no games will be scheduled.

    In ECL 12, Neo will continue acting as the entry level into competitive virtual hockey and with that, will continue at the pace of two gamedays each week. Our other divisions will run at the pace of three weekly gamedays with Elite also hosting three broadcasts weekly.

    ECL_12_Gamedays.png

    • Gamedays:
      • ECL Neo
        • Wednesday
        • Sunday
      • ECL Core
        • Tuesday
        • Thursday
        • Sunday
      • ECL Lite
        • Tuesday
        • Wednesday
        • Sunday
      • ECL Pro
        • Monday
        • Tuesday
        • Thursday
      • ECL Elite
        • Monday
        • Wednesday
        • Thursday

     

    ECL 12 divisions framework:

     

    ECL_8_Elite_logo_350x350.png

    ECL Elite: 16 teams

    • Sign up: ECL Elite eligible teams
    • Regular season: One group
    • Playoffs:
      • 8 teams
      • Best-of-7
    • Gamedays:
      • Monday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
    • Prize pool: TBA
       
    Quote

    ECL_8_Elite_logo_350x350.png ECL Elite Eligible Teams

    1. FILADELPHIA
    2. hREDS
    3. HAVU Gaming
    4. JYP Jyväskylä
    5. Färjestad BK
    6. Northern Ascendancy
    7. Vesa Pompa
    8. Roots Gaming
    9. SJ Gaming
    10. KOVA Esports
    11. SAWO ESPORTS
    12. YMCA Esports
    13. Enigma
    14. GOONS
    15. Tunnel Vision
    16. ZSC Esports

     

     

    ECL_8_Pro_logo_350x350.png

    ECL Pro: 32 teams

    • Sign up: ECL Pro eligible teams
      • Open spots will be decided based on Qualifiers
    • Regular season: Two groups
    • Playoffs:
      • 16 teams
      • Best-of-7
    • Gamedays:
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Thursday
         
    Quote

    ECL_8_Pro_logo_350x350.png ECL Pro Eligible Teams

    1. Gotham Knights
    2. Team LEISURE
    3. Conquer Gaming
    4. Dark Horse
    5. Vaxjö Lakers
    6. Djurgarden Hockey
    7. Rookie Mistakes
    8. RCTIC
    9. Inter Iceland
    10. Herlev Eagles
    11. Pata Hellalla
    12. Blackdawgs
    13. Nordic Stars
    14. Frosty Kiekko-Vantaa
    15. Company of Geeks
    16. Sack Brothers
    17. Finnish Roosters
    18. RPEAT ESPORTS
    19. Leksands IF
    20. Kiekko-Espoo Esports
    21. Sulkavan Sudet
    22. HV71
    23. Exerceo
    24. Bjorkloven Esports
    25. Hotbox
    26. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 1
    27. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 2
    28. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 3
    29. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 4
    30. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 5
    31. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 6
    32. PRO QUALIFIER WINNER 7


    ECL_8_Lite_logo_350x350.png

    ECL Lite: 64 teams

    • Sign up: ECL Lite eligible teams
      • Open spots will be decided based on the Qualifiers
    • Regular season: 4 Groups of 16 teams
    • Playoffs:
      • 32 teams
      • Best-of-7
    • Gamedays:
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Sunday
         
    Quote

    ECL_8_Lite_logo_350x350.png ECL Lite Eligible Teams

    1. ECDC Memmingen eSports
    2. Beast Hockey
    3. Nearbird Fighters
    4. Lekstugan HC
    5. Golden Nights
    6. Old Farts
    7. NOVA
    8. TeQuila SunRise
    9. Hokurit
    10. Northern Legacy eSports
    11. Birka Vikings
    12. Tic Tac Toes
    13. Syndrome
    14. Central Hockey Canucks
    15. Pahat Pommittajat
    16. TTK
    17. Powerhouse HC
    18. ASM Hockey
    19. Juggernauts
    20. Taavetin Starat
    21. AfroDunk
    22. Grilli Tulille
    23. Nordic Nosebleed
    24. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 1
    25. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 2
    26. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 3
    27. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 4
    28. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 5
    29. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 6
    30. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 7
    31. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 8
    32. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 9
    33. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 10
    34. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 11
    35. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 12
    36. PRO QUALIFIER LOSER 13
    37. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 1
    38. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 2
    39. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 3
    40. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 4
    41. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 5
    42. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 6
    43. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 7
    44. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 8
    45. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 9
    46. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 10
    47. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 11
    48. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 12
    49. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 13
    50. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 14
    51. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 15
    52. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 16
    53. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 17
    54. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 18
    55. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 19
    56. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 20
    57. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 21
    58. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 22
    59. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 23
    60. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 24
    61. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 25
    62. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 26
    63. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 27
    64. LITE QUALIFIER WINNER 28


    ECL_Core_logo_350x350.png

    ECL Core: 128 teams

    • Sign up: Without restrictions (but capped at 128)
    • Regular season: 8 groups of 16
    • Playoffs:
      • TBD
      • Best-of-7
    • Gamedays:
      • Tuesday
      • Thursday
      • Sunday

     

    ECL_Neo_logo_350x350.png

    ECL Neo: 32+ teams

    • Sign up: Without restrictions
    • Regular season: TBD
    • Playoffs:
      • TBD
      • Best-of-5
    • Gamedays:
      • Wednesday
      • Sunday


    Then, the information you've all been eagerly waiting for - here are the teams that will be eligible for the ECL 12 Pro and Lite Qualifiers:

    Pro Qualifier teams:

    Quote

    ECL_8_Pro_logo_350x350.png ECL Pro Qualifier Eligible Teams

    1. Grenoble BDL Esport
    2. Sjukstugan
    3. Ringette HC
    4. BoxinElite
    5. Oton Letkutemppu
    6. Sinister
    7. Södertälje SK
    8. Perttilan Kommandot
    9. Kaupallinen Yhteistyo
    10. Ducktales BK
    11. UNI Gaming
    12. TIKI TALK
    13. noRex Gaming
    14. We Kings
    15. Alliance HT
    16. Orebro eHockey
    17. WILDCARD 1
    18. WILDCARD 2
    19. WILDCARD 3
    20. WILDCARD 4

     

    Lite Qualifier teams:

    Quote

    ECL_8_Lite_logo_350x350.png ECL Lite Qualifier Eligible Teams

    1. Armada Hockey
    2. Hammarby Hockey
    3. Murohoki
    4. Almtuna ESPORT
    5. RoKi Esports
    6. Dynastia
    7. IK Oskarshamn
    8. Illumination
    9. Northern Falcons
    10. TuTo Esports
    11. Oulunsalo HT
    12. Rogle BK
    13. Remparts de Tours Esport
    14. Spirit
    15. MUKIMIEHET
    16. GIFU Hockey
    17. Calzone HC
    18. TAKAVUOSIEN TEKIJAT
    19. Lulea Hockey
    20. Handu Pumpulla
    21. Baby Goons
    22. Black Sharks
    23. Rusty Bulls
    24. PunaKala
    25. The Black Jacks
    26. Night Shift Hockey
    27. The Last Line
    28. Finnish Hockey Legends
    29. Hockey iNC
    30. StickLifters
    31. Northern Dust
    32. Clowns On Ice
    33. Thunder United
    34. EISFORCE HOCKEY
    35. Le Club Chat Noir
    36. Bare Knuckles Hockey
    37. Helter Skelter
    38. Vasteras IK
    39. Verket
    40. Lassen Lampaat
    41. No Name
    42. Burning Goats
    43. United Front
    44. TEAM MODO
    45. Virtuoso
    46. KohKae Esports
    47. Lutunilkat
    48. Sopranos
    49. Saucer Hockey
    50. VANHAT KYLJYKSET
    51. KSE Teutons
    52. Seinajoki Noms
    53. Pinaattikone
    54. Vemppaosasto
    55. UKnighted HC
    56. Herforder Ice Dragons
    57. 5th Line Heroes
    58. FILA DE LA HC
    59. SCB eSports
    60. Dynamo Dragons*
    61. WILDCARD 1
    62. WILDCARD 2
    63. WILDCARD 3
    64. WILDCARD 4

    * League Administration has decided to disqualify ECL 11 Neo finalist Goosebumps as a result of multiple instances of rule circumvention. In addition to what we announced previously, the suspended captain was found guilty of participating in the Neo Finals.

     

    Note about the ECL 12 Lite Qualification Tournament:

    During the preparation of the new ECL 12 season, we noticed that the transition qualifier that we previously introduced for the ECL 12 Lite season had a small error. We failed to take the Wildcard teams into consideration in our math for the qualifiers which would have lead to an 68 team Lite division.

    We will still use the previously announced system we mentioned in our structure article, but we will be making a small adjustment: The playoff line will be moved from above the 7th seed to above the 6th seed. This means that the top 5 teams out of each qualifying group has a chance to continue to play for the ECL Lite promotion, while the 6th-8th ranked teams in each group will solidify their spot in the Core division.

    We apologize for the miscalculation while creating the new system, but we still believe that having a chance to fight for the ECL Lite promotion as a 5th ranked team in your individual group still gives you a very fair chance to make it.


    Below you'll find an updated image of the ECL 12 Lite Qualification tournament. We have also updated the original news story with the corrected information.

    ECL_12_Lite_Qualifier_Structure_Fixed.jp

     

     

    Gauging interest for an ECL Warm-up tournament

    Due to the combination of sign-ups, qualifiers and the staggered start of the different divisions, some teams might find themselves waiting for the season start longer than they would want. This is why we are gauging the interest towards a short ECL Warm-up tournament where teams get their chance to get some games in as they prepare for the upcoming season. If you think this would be something your team would be interested in - please leave a comment below!

    Edit: Due to technical reasons, the sign-up start has been moved to March 23rd.

    Edit 2: The order of the Pro Qualifier teams has been fixed for clarity on the seeding order, as per the original Division and Promotion Structure documentation.




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    This feel like politics. It doesnt make sense but there are probably unknown factors at stake that I will never understand. Can NHLGamer at least provide a good explanation for wives/GFs when we cancel the summer vacation? :D

     

     

    Edited by J-Foppa
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    The teams that win or lose in the Lite qualifiers - do they automatically signup for Lite or Core after the qualifiers or do they sign up in advance for both Lite and Core?

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    As @J-Foppa says above, there are lots of factors at play when deciding on the timelines of leagues and tournaments. ECL is the biggest NHL esports league in the world and we do our best to give players of all levels an enjoyable experience. This is why we've put an enormous effort into the divisional system, rulebook and broadcasting. The audience and players (ideally) only see the success of our work we put in and not the hundreds or thousands of hours that perhaps could have resulted in something amazing, but didn't bear fruit. 

    We've been asked for communication on leagues and tournaments earlier ahead of time and this is feedback that we take seriously and something that also makes our own lives easier. Our original plan was to run the FCL and SCL in the gap that all Finns and Swedes have been experiencing after the ECL 11 season, simultaneously with the GCL, WECL etc. Unfortunately that plan didn't pan out. We were unable to guarantee the FCL and SCL at the capacity that the players have come to expect, so we made the decision together with our prospective partners to aim for the end of the NHL 21 lifecycle with regard to the  Finnish and Swedish Championships, in other words after ECL 12. Our goal for NHL 22 is to change this order into ECL 13 - FCL/GCL/SCL - ECL 14.

    While it on the surface level can look like very little has happened since the end of the ECL 11 season, a lot of time has gone into reflecting on the previous seasons, improving our routines, introducing new policies, planning ahead and working on securing long-term partnerships that enable us to plan a year ahead rather than 3 months. Honestly, in my opinion that's the only way we can keep developing our ecosystem and creating the best leagues and tournaments in the world.

    Your feedback is welcome, as always - I just ask you to try to keep in mind that the planning of these leagues and tournaments nowadays is slightly more complicated than drawing a rectangle into the calendar. The demand for high prize pools, more broadcasts and high quality content is always rising and in this case that has meant more preparation than ever.

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    45 minutes ago, rapitzin said:

    The teams that win or lose in the Lite qualifiers - do they automatically signup for Lite or Core after the qualifiers or do they sign up in advance for both Lite and Core?

    Correct, they will sign up for the one division and be moved based on the result of the qualifier. More details to follow when the sign-ups go live.

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    I think almost every team wants to play some sort of tournament before ECL 12. Hopefully this warm-up tournament has some kinda division or level system! For example elite and pro teams plays together etc..

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    17 minutes ago, Tuukka.R said:

    I think almost every team wants to play some sort of tournament before ECL 12. Hopefully this warm-up tournament has some kinda division or level system! For example elite and pro teams plays together etc..

    Thanks for the feedback. We would be interested in hearing the wishes on the type of warm-up tournament that everyone would want - should it be a total wild west or elite + pro, lite + core + neo type of system, or what would you like to see? We have to keep in mind that the teams playing in the qualifiers might have a harder time participating - and perhaps they should not, as they have up to 3 weeks of qualifying games to play either way(?).

     

    Edit: It would probably make most sense to put Pro and Elite together as they start their season later and have the opportunity to play the warm-up tournament longer than the other divisions.

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    2 hours ago, Zip player said:

    Sign-up period 1: 22.3-7.4, applies to

    • ECL Elite
      Regular Season Kick-Off Dates:
    • ECL Elite 24.5

      Okaay Ok GIF by MOODMAN

    The long break between signups and kick off is due to the information about participating teams being vital for being able to determine the available spots that the qualifiers are played for. Our goal is also to cover the finals of each division in the order of Neo - Core - Lite - Pro & Elite as per previous year feedback that the season should end with the Elite finals coverage, also giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the Elite (and other) finals instead of playing at the same time. As always, we are open to feedback on this topic for the future seasons.

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    3 tuntia sitten, Tuukka.R kirjoitti:

    I think almost every team wants to play some sort of tournament before ECL 12. Hopefully this warm-up tournament has some kinda division or level system! For example elite and pro teams plays together etc..

    summer cup!

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    A little bit of feedback on all of this:

    - Informing about a qualification series in the middle of ECL 11

    The season (almost) played out fairly but it could have not been a more ill-advised thing to do, mostly because of the fact that it basically alters the pre-requisites of the entire tournament for everyone below Elite

    - Allowing wild card teams in the qualifiers

    This is wrong in my opinion, very wrong. We are going in to the 12th iteration of ECL and we have well established frameworks for the league and it must be disheartening for teams in Lite (#10-13) to be denied a fighting chance in favor for wildcards. In other words, the communitys (admins and NHLGamer staff included) perception of a team weighs heavier than last seasons results. Of course you can base it on individual stats, previous team stats from previous tournaments and such, but the data is most likely outdated and there are far more factors that weigh in to be able to make a fair judgement of a teams "skill". But this is my personal opinion, everyone is of course entitled to their own opinion

    - Scheduling of ECL 12

    As J-Foppa said, there must be some factors unknown to us community members that forces the decision to play out most of the tournament during the summer months. Either way, I think that it would have been better to wait until late August or just get on with it straight away. I have been an advocate for strict schedules for some time, meaning that I think that the rules for re-schedualing are way too relaxed as of now. It will most probably be a mediocre tournament since most teams need to broaden their rosters and schedualing will be pure hell due to people not being available, hence the scheduals can't be followed and we are back to square one

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    • ECL Pro & ECL Lite Qualifiers 12.4-29.4
       
    • Regular Season Kick-Off Dates:
      • ECL Lite 9.5
      • ECL Pro 20.5

     

    Why 2 extra weeks of waiting for pro-teams..? Why no kick-off 3.5?

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    Will current games and records against other teams already in a Lite/Pro spot have an effect on if teams can make the Lite/Pro qualifiers as a wildcard, or will they be chosen solely on the roster and their status?

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    Wasp (if we dont get wildcard position Lite-qual) is interested preparation tournament

    Edited by Moneygunx

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