DEG descends: emotional reactions and the future of ice hockey team!
DEG descends: emotional reactions and the future of ice hockey team!
Düsseldorfer eG (DEG) had to accept the bitter descent from the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) on March 8, 2025. Despite a convincing 3-0 victory against the Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg, the team did not collect enough points to survive in the remote duel with the direct rival Augsburg. Augsburg secured the decisive point with a 3: 2 against Iserlohn, which forces the DEG into the DEL2, and the defeat seals the end of a difficult season for the traditional club.
Manager Niki Mondt took responsibility for relegation and is already planning for the DEL2. The emotional reaction after the final whistle was clearly noticeable: players and fans were visibly affected, some even shed tears while whistles were pushing through the arena. Mondt criticized the team's compilation and made it clear that he did not see coach Steven Reinprecht as the culprit for the missed season.
The challenges in the lower house
In an interview, Mondt expressed the will to bring DEG back into the DEL as soon as possible. However, he admits that the challenges are considerable. The association currently has no player under contract, while the existing sponsorship contracts only apply to the DEL. Another problem is the high costs of the large arena, which are considered too rigid for the DEL2.A look at the Krefeld penguins shows how difficult it can be. After relegation in 2022, the team had immense problems to establish themselves again in the DEL. The concerns about competitive conditions in ice hockey are not new; The relegation has been discussed for years. The regulation was introduced for the 2020/21 season, but was initially suspended due to Corona, which led to a certain confusion in the competition.
criticism of the relegation requirements
The critics of the relegation, including votes from Krefeld, are again demanding a suspension of the relegation. They argue that the effects of corona pandemic are still noticeable, with quarantine measures, emergency cadres and irregular game plans. Therefore, you see the current competition as unfair. On the other hand, there are the interests of the second division that does not want to lose their master again without relegation from the DEL.
The descent of the DEG is part of a larger picture of German ice hockey, in which the transition between the leagues is increasingly controversial. The German Ice Hockey League 2 (DEL2) is considered the second highest league in German ice hockey and has established itself in 2013 since its foundation by the ice hockey game company mbH (ESBG). It not only offers exciting games, but also a high number of spectators, with an average of 3,154 spectators per game in the 2023/24 season and a consolidation of its role as the most visited second ice hockey league in Europe.
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