Greek Ice Hockey Championship
Encyclopedia
Greek Ice hockey Championship is the only level of ice hockey in Greece
. It is operated under the jurisdiction of the Greek Ice Hockey Federation, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation
. There are currently registered 100 players, but it is unsure how many of them are active.
The first official Greek Championship was held in 1989 in the Peace and Friendship Stadium with five teams taking place. It was the first time hockey games were held in a normal size rink. The following year the Championship was held once again in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
In 1990 the first Junior National Team was formed and took part in the World Junior Championship Pool C, held in Yugoslavia. In 1991 the Junior National Team took part in the World Junior Championship, held in Italy.
In 1992 the first ever Men's Greek National Team was formed and took place in the World Championships Pool C held in South Africa. With only two weeks of serious training abroad and the support of the Greeks of South Africa, the National Team won the bronze medal. It was extraordinary for a team to win a medal in their first appearance at the World Championships.
Despite the great achievement, the decline of the sport came in 1993. Economic help was discontinued by the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports and all expenses to keep ice hockey alive were passed over to the players. Practices stopped and many players quit.
Practices started again in 1995 but were limited to once a week. Despite the hard times ice hockey faced, a National Team was formed in 1995 and took part in the World Championships held once again in South Africa. Unfortunately, the problems affected the players and they were unable to defend the bronze medal they had won three years ago. They managed to win one game and tie one in five games.
Although the problems continued to exist, in 1996, the Junior National Team took part in the European Championships. They made one win in five games. In March 1998 the Men's National Team went to the World Championships held in South Africa. They managed to win one game and despite all the problems everyone was amazed at the level of Greek Ice Hockey.
Early 1999 and nothing has changed concerning the funds from the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports. Despite the problems the Hellenic National Team took part in the World Championships Pool D held once again in South Africa. The team managed to win one game.
In 2001 the Moschato Ice Rink closed down. Many players stopped playing and others started practicing in the only ice rink left in Greece. An ice rink way too small to be able to hold a serious ice hockey game.
In 2002 the effort was made to rebuild the league but all efforts fell short.
The only ice rink left in Greece closed down definitely May 2003.
After the closing of the last ice rink the players of the National Team decided to take trips to the Czech Republic for practices and games. Since that decision, 6 trips have been organized. Every 6 months the players of the National team pay their own way and travel to the Czech Republic.
For the past 2 years, the National Team has been trying to convince the IIHF that despite not having a rink, development of the sport is continuing in Greece. The efforts paid off, since the IIHF, after investigation decided to allow the National Team to compete again in International Competition. This is great for Greek Ice Hockey since the National Team competed again in 1999.
In 2006 two ice rinks were built in Greece and the Championship was established again.
, Thessaloniki
and Chalkida
.
Final
Awards:
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It is operated under the jurisdiction of the Greek Ice Hockey Federation, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
. There are currently registered 100 players, but it is unsure how many of them are active.
History
Ice Hockey started in Greece in 1984 by players that returned to Greece from abroad. Soon later five teams were formed, two in Athens, one in Pireus, one in Salonica and one in Chalkida. The first official game was played in 1985 in Athens.The first official Greek Championship was held in 1989 in the Peace and Friendship Stadium with five teams taking place. It was the first time hockey games were held in a normal size rink. The following year the Championship was held once again in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
In 1990 the first Junior National Team was formed and took part in the World Junior Championship Pool C, held in Yugoslavia. In 1991 the Junior National Team took part in the World Junior Championship, held in Italy.
In 1992 the first ever Men's Greek National Team was formed and took place in the World Championships Pool C held in South Africa. With only two weeks of serious training abroad and the support of the Greeks of South Africa, the National Team won the bronze medal. It was extraordinary for a team to win a medal in their first appearance at the World Championships.
Despite the great achievement, the decline of the sport came in 1993. Economic help was discontinued by the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports and all expenses to keep ice hockey alive were passed over to the players. Practices stopped and many players quit.
Practices started again in 1995 but were limited to once a week. Despite the hard times ice hockey faced, a National Team was formed in 1995 and took part in the World Championships held once again in South Africa. Unfortunately, the problems affected the players and they were unable to defend the bronze medal they had won three years ago. They managed to win one game and tie one in five games.
Although the problems continued to exist, in 1996, the Junior National Team took part in the European Championships. They made one win in five games. In March 1998 the Men's National Team went to the World Championships held in South Africa. They managed to win one game and despite all the problems everyone was amazed at the level of Greek Ice Hockey.
Early 1999 and nothing has changed concerning the funds from the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports. Despite the problems the Hellenic National Team took part in the World Championships Pool D held once again in South Africa. The team managed to win one game.
In 2001 the Moschato Ice Rink closed down. Many players stopped playing and others started practicing in the only ice rink left in Greece. An ice rink way too small to be able to hold a serious ice hockey game.
In 2002 the effort was made to rebuild the league but all efforts fell short.
The only ice rink left in Greece closed down definitely May 2003.
After the closing of the last ice rink the players of the National Team decided to take trips to the Czech Republic for practices and games. Since that decision, 6 trips have been organized. Every 6 months the players of the National team pay their own way and travel to the Czech Republic.
For the past 2 years, the National Team has been trying to convince the IIHF that despite not having a rink, development of the sport is continuing in Greece. The efforts paid off, since the IIHF, after investigation decided to allow the National Team to compete again in International Competition. This is great for Greek Ice Hockey since the National Team competed again in 1999.
In 2006 two ice rinks were built in Greece and the Championship was established again.
Teams
The Greek Ice Hockey Championship consists of 5 teams based in AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
and Chalkida
Current teams
- Iptamenoi Athens (2007-2008 Champions)
- Albatros HC
- PAOKPAOKThe Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans , abbreviated P.A.O.K. , is a Macedonian sports club in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club is home to several teams, including football, basketball, volleyball, handball, water polo, swimming, wrestling, hockey and weightlifting. P.A.O.K. was...
- MadKows
- Avantes HC
- Aris Saloniki
- Iraklis Saloniki
- Warriors Athens
Format
In the Regular Season all 7 teams play twice against each other and the top 4 qualify for the Final Four which is held in Ano Liossia Olympic Hall which is located in Ano Liossia, AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
Regular season
| Pl. | GP | W | L | T | GF-GA | Pts | |
| 1. | Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptameni Pagodromi Athinai is an ice hockey team in Athens, Greece. They play in the Greek Ice Hockey Championship.-History:The club was founded in 1984, and joined the newly-started Greek Championship in 1989. They finished as runner-up, losing to Aris Saloniki, in the 1989, 1990, and 1991... |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 70:9 | 15 |
| 2. | PAOK Saloniki | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 45:18 | 12 |
| 3. | Albatros Athen | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 16:43 | 9 |
| 4. | Lefka Gerakia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 28:63 | 6 |
| 5. | Avantes HC Chalkis | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 28:63 | 3 |
| 6. | Tarandos Moschatou | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13:55 | 0 |
Playoffs
Semifinal:- Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai - Lefka Gerakia 16:1, 15:0
- Albatros Athen - PAOK Saloniki 12:4, 4:8, 1:0
Final
- Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai - Albatros Athen 6:3, 9:5
Regular season
| Pl. | GP | W | L | T | GF-GA | Pts | |
| 1. | Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptameni Pagodromi Athinai is an ice hockey team in Athens, Greece. They play in the Greek Ice Hockey Championship.-History:The club was founded in 1984, and joined the newly-started Greek Championship in 1989. They finished as runner-up, losing to Aris Saloniki, in the 1989, 1990, and 1991... |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 80:4 | 18 |
| 2. | PAOK Saloniki | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 64:15 | 15 |
| 3. | Avantes HC Chalkis | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 36:26 | 12 |
| 4. | Albatros Athen | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 43:29 | 9 |
| 5. | Lefka Gerakia | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 29:46 | 6 |
| 6. | Tarandos Moschatou | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 15:51 | 3 |
| 7. | Ermis HC | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2:98 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Pl. | GP | W | L | T | GF-GA | Pts | |
| 1. | align="left" | ptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai] | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18:1 | 9 |
| 2. | PAOK Saloniki | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 18:11 | 6 |
| 3. | Avantes HC Chalkis | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10:15 | 3 |
| 4. | Albatros Athen | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6:25 | 0 |
Awards:
- George Kalyvas (Iptamenoi Pagodromoi): MVP of Championship
- George Fiotakis (Iptamenoi Pagodromoi): Best Goalie
- Dimitris Kalyvas (Iptamenoi Pagodromoi): Top Scorer
- Nikos Papadopoulos (PAOK): Best Defenseman
- George Adamidis (PAOK): Fair play award
Champions
- 1989 : Aris Saloniki
- 1990 : Aris Saloniki
- 1991 : Aris Saloniki
- 1992 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 1993 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 2000 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 2008 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 2009 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 2010 : Iptameni HC Athens
- 2011 : Aris Saloniki (Iptameni HC Athens was not permitted to participate in the Championship)
Titles by team
| Titles | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptamenoi Pagodromoi Athinai Iptameni Pagodromi Athinai is an ice hockey team in Athens, Greece. They play in the Greek Ice Hockey Championship.-History:The club was founded in 1984, and joined the newly-started Greek Championship in 1989. They finished as runner-up, losing to Aris Saloniki, in the 1989, 1990, and 1991... |
1993, 1994, 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| 3 | Aris Saloniki Penguins Aris Saloniki Penguins Aris Saloniki Penguins was an ice hockey team in Thessaloniki, Greece. They played in the Greek Ice Hockey Championship.-History:The club was founded in 1989. They won the inaugural Greek championship in 1989, and continued their dominance, winning the 1990, 1991, and 1992 Greek championships... |
1990, 1991, 1992, 2011 |
