Liiga vs DEL2

How would you compare/contrast Liiga and DEL2?

Liiga sits at a level slightly above DEL2, but DEL2 is a high quality league in it's own right.

We scout numerous games in both of these levels each season and have players who have played in each league as imports.

Liiga

Liiga is the top ice hockey league in Finland.

DEL2

DEL2 is the second-tier professional ice hockey league in Germany, acting as a bridge between the Oberliga and the DEL.

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 DEL2

DEL2 serves as Germany’s second-tier league, featuring 14 teams. It provides a vital pathway for players and teams aspiring to compete at the DEL level.

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: DEL2

"Playing in DEL2 was instrumental in my growth, providing the right level of competition." – Felix Schütz

Number of Teams in Liiga: 15

Number of Teams in DEL2: 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 DEL2

The level of play in DEL2 is solid and it's a strong 2nd league. Look at most imports on team rosters here and you'll find some great playing resumes. Most teams are comprised of quality German players and a number of top import veterans to really bolster their rosters.