Liiga vs DEL

How would you compare/contrast Liiga and DEL?

These two leagues are quite similar in that they are both extremely high caliber leagues who draw the best national players as well as international imports to their rosters. In Champions league play, you'll see quality matches between clubs in each of these leagues.

DEL and Liiga are two leagues our team has scouted for a while. We've had a number of players who've played in these leagues so they've provided added perspective on how the levels are similar and differ.

Liiga

Liiga is the top ice hockey league in Finland.

DEL

The Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) is Germany's top-tier professional ice hockey league, known for its high level of play and strong fan base.

Location: Finland

Location: Germany

Skill Level in Liiga

Liiga is the highest professional hockey league in Finland. Founded in 1975, the league has 15 clubs that span from the South near Helsinki all the way up to the Arctic Circle. It's considered by many to be one of the stronger leagues in Europe.

Skill Level in DEL

Founded in 1994, the DEL is Germany’s premier ice hockey league, featuring 14 teams. It attracts both domestic and international players, offering a highly competitive environment.

Player Perspective: Liiga

"Liiga is the perfect league to play in, especially as an import from North America who enjoys the physical play paired with skill. I'd agree that Liiga's caliber is up there with a number of the top leagues in Europe based on my experience also playing in Germany and Austria. The fans hear love their hockey.

Player Perspective: DEL

"Playing in the DEL in Germany was my favorite league to play in overseas as an import. The level of play was high, plus the fanbases at most arenas make the environment second to none."

Number of Teams in Liiga: 15

Number of Teams in DEL: 14

Caliber of Players and Imports in Liiga

Skill level of Liiga players is extremely high, with only the best Finnish players moving up to the highest league. For imports, teams expect players in Europe with strong resumes and players from North America with high-end ECHL/AHL experience on their resumes. Some even have NHL games played. This shows the strength of the league.

Caliber of Players and Imports in DEL

The level of players in DEL is high. In years past, DEL clubs have held their own in exhibition games versus NHL clubs. Rosters are made up of a blend of German nationals and a select number of international imports who range from ex-AHL/NHL players and top level European players. This added strength of imports throughout the league definitely contributes to the high skill level combined with strong German players.