EHC Klostersee: The way to the Bayernliga is clear

The 2021/22 champions return: EHC Klostersee is allowed to leave the Oberliga Süd and still celebrate with its fans in the Bayernliga again. The DEB has released the association for the national association. Photo: Stefan Rossmann Stefan Rossmann ©

After several weeks of hanging, the cow is – in the truest sense of the word – off the ice. EHC Klostersee will compete in the Bayernliga in the 2023/24 ice hockey season.

Grafing – This "result" has been worked out by all participants in several online meetings and discussions over the past few weeks.

"It's good that the matter has finally been decided and by mutual agreement," said sporting director Dominik Quinlan, who made the "good news public after a reasonable decision" and the "okay" of both associations involved. On Wednesday, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) had now turned to the clubs in an official announcement regarding the interlocking of the Oberliga-Bayernliga.

The classification of the Grafinger Red-Whites was complicated. Staying in the Oberliga Süd, which is one level higher, as the bottom of the table had fallen into their laps due to the voluntary withdrawal of HC Landsberg Riverkings and as a consequence of the cancellation of the playdowns, so to speak, at the green table - especially through the participation of three parties. In addition to the EHC, these were the Bavarian Ice Sports Association (BEV), responsible for the Bayernliga, and the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB), under whose umbrella the Oberliga Süd is organized.

The Klosterseer had applied for admission to the Bavarian upper house due to the lack of an economic basis for another round of play in the third class. The latter had become clear in the past season and, after failed attempts to improve the financial basis for the team, would probably have been even more extreme in the coming round.

While the BEV had quickly sent positive signals regarding an "admission", the DEB initially remained tough on the "dismissal". DEB officials had even flexed their muscles in an interview with an ice hockey magazine beforehand and explained that the EHC would have to be ranked at the bottom of the district league in the event of a voluntary withdrawal.

Understandably, this did not go down well with those responsible in Klostersee. It is all the more relieved that a new start in the league lowlands, as it had already been made seven years ago, is off the table, according to Quinlan. Accordingly, one does not want to lose any more thought about this, since fortunately this scenario did not occur.

According to reports, the BEV was also "not amused" about the DEB's advance, which, due to the valid rules of the game, apparently has the right to admit a higher-class dropout to the Bayernliga by decision of the Ice Hockey Commission – provided that the exit is not due to financial bankruptcy. EHC President Sascha Kaefer made it clear once again: "This is definitely not the case with us. Last season, we were shown that the financially induced gap is simply far too big and that the Oberliga cannot be managed with the budget available to us in the medium term. We tried to change that without success and then drew the consequences."

The EHC is pleased with the development that has now been determined. "Recently, there have been very productive discussions, also with the DEB representatives, who finally saw and accepted our position," said Quinlan, who has already "switched" to the next topic area and is now intensively pushing ahead with season and team planning. "Now it's time to step on the gas and hold talks. After all, the start of summer training is actually already imminent." ele