ECL '22 Winter Elite Guide - Back to back?

The new Winter-Spring split for the ECL kicks things into high gear for the biggest year of competitive virtual hockey to date. Check out all you need to know about how the action in the European top 16 is going to unfold.

Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt and Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann from Granit Gaming are your ECL '22 Winter Cover Gamers, check out their presentation and interview here.

Season information

To find out about everything that's new with ECL '22, check out our earlier season information article.

Notable dates for the ECL '22: Winter Elite season:

• Regular season: 10.1.-3.2.
• Transfer deadline: 16.1. 23:59 CET
• Quarterfinals (BO7) 14.2.-17.2.
• Semifinals (BO7) 04.3 [LAN] / 21.02 – 24.02 [Not LAN]
• Finals (BO7) 5.3

Default gamedays for the ECL '22: Winter Elite division will be on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with broadcasts on the NHLGamer Twitch at 19:45 CET on every gameday.

The very first broadcast will be on Monday, January 10th at 19:45 CET, and in the booth will be your favourite caster duo Cody @Tougie24 Tougas & Paul @Cyn Anderson! Make sure not to miss the season opener between Färjestad BK and Granit Gaming, followed by the clash of two potential contenders in GOONS vs HAVU Gaming.

You can access the rulebook, schedule, standings, statistics and full rosters from the ECL ‘22: Winter Elite league page.

The prize pool for ECL '22 Winter Elite is going to be 11000 EUR and will be split as visualized below. As you can see, ECL '22 Spring Elite will follow the same split and an additional 11000 EUR will be up for grabs in the grand final. 

Season preview

Welcome to the first ever ECL '22 Winter Elite season. Our new Winter-Spring split brings everything up a notch as we'll be crowning one grand champion to cap off the ECL year. The stakes are higher than ever as this season gives the top 16 teams in Europe the chance to punch their ticket to the grand finals, and earn the biggest share of the 11 000 EUR prize pool. 

Over the past few competitive tournaments here at NHLGamer, it's been a back-and-forth battle between the reigning champion hREDS and Frölunda HC, who managed to win the FCL title to cap off the NHL 21 competitive season. The new NHL 22 game brings an interesting spice to the mix, as by now everyone would have had enough time to get accustomed to the game and apply any needed changes to their strategies and tendencies. One interesting thing to watch out for is who will have adapted in the best way to benefit them this season.

In this preview, we've ranked the teams based on insights from a group of panelists, and will be giving some additional info on what to keep an eye on for each squad. Without further ado, let's get to it:

1.  hREDS

The reigning champions are heading into the season with an unchanged roster and look as strong as ever based on their competitive form as of late in NHL 22. hREDS is a quick moving puck possession team that can and will outplay any other team in the division with their excellent puck movement and creative plays. Each of their skaters possess that X-Factor and it seems like newest recruit Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen has finally found a squad to really thrive with. The big, bad REDS are definitely one of the clear contenders this season and measured in raw skill could very possibly be the best team out there. However, it'll be interesting to see how they will be able to transition into a more straight forward game if they end up getting shut down at some point of the season. As we know, NHL 22 sometimes will call for players to make the simple, and sometimes boring plays - do they have that side of the game in them?

Player to watch: Filip @Faze91- Azri - Goaltender
The young Swede was a rising star some time ago but has now cemented his place as one of the top netminders in the league. Everything should be set for hREDS to take another title, and if he can up his game yet another level, there's no stopping them.

2.  Frölunda HC

As customary for this team, they haven't played as much as some other outfits during the offseason, in fact significantly less than most of the competition - but it hasn't slowed them down in the past either. This always begs the question, when is it going to catch up to them? It's tough to really question Frölunda with a straight face, as they always seem to prove doubters wrong, which is more than likely going to be the story this year again. Their roster will be unchanged and the chemistry is without a doubt still there, which is a massive factor every year, but especially in a game like NHL 22. On the individual level, it seems like especially Teemu @Teemuyy Polttila has taken a step forward and it'll be interesting to see how that translates to his 6v6 game. All in all, it's easy to say we know what we are going to get from Frölunda HC and that is top tier virtual hockey every night, based on their chemistry and routine. 

Player to watch: Aleksi @loimmu Loimuvirta - Right defenseman
Perhaps the best all-round defenseman to ever play the game. Has several titles under his belt despite being paired up with various - albeit top tier defensemen by his side. Always brings his best game.

3.  GOONS

Last ECL season for GOONS ended against Farjestad BK in the Quarterfinals. In the FCL, GOONS managed to win bronze and they are looking to get into the top 4 places again in the ECL. After the FCL, youngster Arttu @laitineen64(laiitinen) Laitinen came from IQUE where he played his first Elite season. He will join one of best offense trios as he is playing with Kristian @kriketski17(kriketsi17) Veijola and Roope @pikkuroger Bergström. To boost their defense they got Ilmari @iilmarii Töyrylä from JYP and he will bring experience to their own zone as talented Viljo @viba2008 Kähkönen is the youngest player in Elite. In goal they have the most experienced goalie Mika @FinKonna Paasikontu who has played in net in every single season since ECL 1. For example he has played with both hREDS and Frölunda HC. GOONS' next step is to really challenge those two big teams. 

Player to watch: Kristian @kriketski17 Veijola - Center/Right Wing 
Knows how to put up points but great in the defensive zone as well. Captain and now with two younger guys next to him on offense, he needs to take leadership on and off the ice.

4.  HAVU Gaming

It was a tough 2021 for the former champions and continuous contenders. HAVU Gaming ended up having some turnover and losing their edge momentarily, but have still managed to stay within striking distance of the ultimate top. Despite not perhaps looking quite as good as the well-oiled machine they once were, the black and green are still a force to be reckoned with and especially the comeback of superstar defenseman Wille @willekunq Juntunen is going to be a massive factor in their success. For HAVU Gaming, the biggest challenge is going to find a way to incorporate their new left winger Juho @RutonMosse(Juigelson) Kinnunen into their game in an effective way. The younger Kinnunen brother has a lot of skill and is definitely good enough to play at this level, but will he be the right fit for HAVU?

Player to watch: Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha - Right wing
HAVU will be relying on their captain a lot this season and FlyerKungen will really need to step up his game in some situations. He's shown it before, but can he do it again and again when counted upon?

5.  Granit Gaming

Granit Gaming formed after the last ECL season ended and they've grown into the next Swedish superteam, with some Czech spice in the form of Adam @dzouvi Mensik at center. We're talking about a group of individuals with a tremendous skill level, but they haven't quite yet managed to show that teamplay factor that a true contender team has. Granit is one of the newest outfits in the Elite division alongside the new Conquer Gaming roster with the difference of being a lot more experienced, especially at the level. Their strength will lie in the offensive zone and the ability to stay on the puck, with two of the most elite defensemen in the league in Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann and Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt. One thing that could be worrisome is their goaltending situation - currently it looks like Edvin @Thunborg5 Thunborg is their sole netminder, and despite being able to perform in a big way in decisive moments, his average SV% in Elite lies around 76, which leaves some room for improvement. 

Player to watch: Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann - Right defenseman
The ECL 12 Defenseman of the year AND Transfer of the year returns after his dominant outing. It'll be interesting to see if there's still some potential left in the bank to up his game, and will he be able to improve also on the defensive aspects of it. Definitely one of the most skilled defensemen in the league.

6.  SAWO ESPORTS (Former Tunnel Vision)

SAWO ESPORTS’ defense is the same as it was in the last ECL and FCL with Tomi @tombo_02(tomboo-_-) Laitinen and Veeti @Wenger(re_Wenger) Paloneva but their offense has had some big changes. Jere @jxrska Laukka's comeback is important for SAWO and if he continues where he left off in Pro he can be one of top goal scorers in this league. YMCA Esports and SAWO had some player changes between them as Eemil @Sokkelo__ Soikkeli went to YMCA and Aleksi @MozjaTG (Mozjayh) Kähkönen came back in return. Like jxrska, also the last piece of the puzzle Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen didn’t get to participate in the last ECL but was allowed play again in the FCL where he represented IQUE and from there he came to SAWO. This group has a lot of potential and one of their biggest strengths is chemistry. Friendships from off the ice can bump their whole game a lot. If their development keeps going, SAWO can battle for top 4 places. 

Player to watch: Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen - Right wing
His first season in Elite showed already that he can be a really good asset at the highest level as well. Because of his one season absence, there must be some hunger for more. A really skilled player and has the potential to become one of the best players in Europe right away this season. 

10.  YMCA Esports
After their 4-1 Quarterfinals loss to HAVU Gaming in ECL 12 YMCA Esports are looking for a playoff spot again. Joona @jm98II Muona and Antti @Anhel_Kuru Kuru have been playing together now for a couple of seasons. For this season they get Eemil @Sokkelo__ Soikkeli from Tunnel Vision as the final piece to the puzzle on offense. Julius @Exel56 Rissanen has also played two seasons in YMCA Esports and his defense pair will be Timi @Rimpe Rimpeläinen who had his last outing in ECL 11 for Gotham Knights. A lot of things have to get improved For YMCA to repeat a playoff appearance, but we'll have to wait and see.  

Player to watch: Joona @jm98II Muona - Left winger
Got his game developed a lot last season and as a result he scored 10 more goals than in ECL 11. We'll see if he can continue trending upwards this season, which would be a big help for his team. Can be a real highlight machine at his best.

11.  ZSC Esports

After their first Elite season, ZSC Esports did make only one change to their roster but the new player Alex @IDangledYouOut Wagner is a familiar face because he played for ZSC Esports in ECL 10 and 11. The Swiss teams strength is definitely the fact that they have had the same core for a long time. In defense they have a good balance between offense and defense. Reto @Haldeem Haldemann is great in the defensive zone as the other defender Max @Toneee9 Tonitz was the top scorer for his team in ECL 12. Forwards  have to get more offense going because last season they were the second lowest team in scoring. 

Player to watch: Reto @Haldeem Haldemann - Right defenseman 
Has taken big steps forward along his long career. One of the biggest reasons that ZSC made Elite back in ECL 11.

12.  Roots Gaming

In the offseason BoxinElite signed under Roots Gaming and will represent them in future tournaments. It wasn't the only good thing that happened to them because they got a chance to qualify for Elite from Pro and Roots didn’t let it slip out of their hands as they won Visu Gaming in the finals 3-1. The offense is the same old for Roots but defensively they've had changes after last ECL. Before the FCL they got Jonas @LE1PAKONE(NordZman_) Nordman from Rusty Blades and promising Niko @vVoDee Vottonen from Bjorkloven. We will see if playing under an organisation will give them an extra boost but at least the Elite qualifiers showed that they belong among the best 6v6 teams in Europe. 

Player to watch: Linus @Limu95 Christiansson - Center 
Much alike the entire team, he has really elevated his level of play over the past couple of seasons. If development continues could be one of the best forwards in Elite. 

13.  Djurgarden Hockey

The ECL 12 Pro Champions will be taking their first strides on the Elite ice with the hopes of solidifying their spot among the European top 16. Captain Björn @Jungledonk Lindberg has managed to gather a solid squad that really does teamplay better than anything. They are a really strong unit and can utilize that in any area of the ice, in any game situation. They do have options up front but are most likely going to start out with Amadeus @amadee21 Carlsson, William @Mumsi- Lindblad and Philip @Strumpan87 Ström as their go-to-guys. They will however not be shy to change things up and have some great reserve in Joacim @LordStanley46_ Wilhelmsson if need be.

Player to watch: Valtteri @Sorsa103 Mulari - Goaltender
Sorsa will be making his rookie appearance on the Elite ice, despite his young age, he has slowly made an ascent towards the very top of the goltending talent pool. There's still some way to go, but this could be his real breakout season.

14.   Northern Ascendancy

Northern Ascendancy has played many seasons in Elite but almost every season their journey has ended in the regular season or in the first round of playoffs. Fredrik @maharajah2014(sparkaronnberg) Mickelsson-Holm played for the crabs defense already last season, but his partner Juhani @Tanski87Tanskanen came to Northern Ascendancy from Rusty Blades in the offseason. In offense they have captain Connor @MartindalexC Martindale who has played almost every season for Northern Ascendancy since ECL 1. The offense got two Finnish players as Jimi @SadaPoika Leskinen and Aleksi @ADETIKKI(dillynger) Kinnunen came to finish up the roster. Goalie Ville @Supreex Korhonen has to be one of best goalies again this season and their experienced guys needs to step up big for them to have a shot at the playoffs again this season. 

Player to watch: Ville @Supreex Korhonen - Goaltender 
No doubt one of the best goalies in Europe. Many top teams would want this guy in their net, but he is tough to lure away from the crabbos. 

15.  HV71

One of the new Swedish teams at the highest level with a great hunger to prove that they do belong among the very best. The meaning of captain Daniel @Demski_ Gadd to this team cannot be understated, but as seen in the ECL 12 Pro playoffs, the addition of Robin @Rubituss Söderqvist has given them some much needed support on the leadership front. However, with the exception of these two, their roster is very green at the Elite level. This means that 4/6 players on their starting roster are rookies, which of course makes for a very interesting story to follow. It's looking like Putte @Putteekiing Unasin and Martin @Zupancic_King424 (Zuppe_29) Zupancic will be their defensemen for the season, while Rubituss and Demski will be joined by new recruit Tuukka @Tukexi (MATILAISKA_) Matilainen on their right flank. Much alike many other Swedish teams, teamplay is the key factor for HV71, but the fact that they are relying on very many players to take a successful step up to the next level puts some clouds on the horizon.

Player to watch: Daniel @Demski_ Gadd - Center
The captain returns to the Elite division for the first time since ECL 8, where he played for one season with Bucketeers (now Färjestad BK). He is the true heart and soul of the team and without a doubt will determine the course of their season.

16.  Conquer Gaming

Conquer gaming or former KOVA Esports had a wild offseason to say the least. After last ECL and FCL both their defense and offense have changed almost completely. Juho @juhkis96 Katajamaa, Matias @theMaddias Kilpinen and Valtteri @Kaikkien Janoisten Sankari (Kihan64) Yli-Olli came from Otukset who were the biggest dark horse in the FCL. Eren @Kucherov86(jalkkin-) Yalcin came from Rusty Blades where he played last FCL. There is no denying that their Otukset trio has a good chemistry but it’s interesting to see how their only players left from the original team Axel @MonkeyHeadAF Falck and Valtteri @Vire30 Vireaho will adapt to playing with them and Jalkkin-. Conquer has potential in their squad but the first season with new players will be tough and it’s looking like a relegation battle for them.

Player to watch: Valtteri @Vire30 Vireaho - Center  
The experienced forward will face his biggest challenge in his career in keeping Conquer in Elite. This season, there's a lot more on his shoulders than only offensive production.