German Minor-Pro/ Semi-pro Ice Hockey

[pantherfan 0]

They are on the list, right where you suggested :P

Take into account that most leagues run with 30% good teams 30% poor teams and the rest are somewhere in the middle, so choosing the right team can be just as important as the right league in many cases. Speak to as many players/teams as you can and get a feel for everything and hopfully that will make your decision easier.

[tonguesOUT4life 17]

how is sweden compared to swiss league and del?

[dw91 0]

I'm also interested in Austria, its more affordable than switzerland as far as cost of living. Idk how it compares to germany though. I do like how many outdoor rinks there are in Tirol especially, thats kind of cool.

[adam14 182]

how is sweden compared to swiss league and del?

very few top swiss players can be successful in the swedish league, Martin Pluss being the only one in my min that stands out. swedish hockey is better to watch.

[Gongshow11 1]

I'm also interested in Austria, its more affordable than switzerland as far as cost of living. Idk how it compares to germany though. I do like how many outdoor rinks there are in Tirol especially, thats kind of cool.

Austria is still a very good league with great pay. A lot of you guys posting here have dreams to play in Europe, and I hope you all succeed. But from personal experience, it's tougher than you think. Without an EU passport you are already -1. Then after that if you havent played minor pro AA liek echl, chl, ihl, or even in some countries SPHL, -1. If you haven't played NCAA D1 or Major Jr, -1. After that if you meet any of those criteria (besides EU passport), if a team has interest in you, then they must pay for your transfer card of $2000 USD per import, on top of insurance, work visa, and flights/accomodations, which for some people can be a hassle, whereas a guy maybe not as good as you asking for much less and an EU passport will have a leg up on you, especially in this economy.

Now if money isn't a huge issue for you, france 2 aka the third level is good, germany-4 aka regionalliga, serbia, czech-2...all these if you dont meet any of the above criteria. Last summer I prayed for a euro gig and nothing, and i mean nothing worked and this was from NCAA d3...granted i had bad stats i still couldnt even get on a team if i offered to pay the transfer fee. So i played a yr at single A in the US pro, after doing well at AA first before being released. The league I played in was not the best league but now i have some offers...money isnt huge but enough, and at this point in my career i dont care, I just want to move up.

[dw91 0]

Thanks for all the feedback on here guys, I'm just doing a little research, and MSH has given me more info than i thought I would get. Playing in Europe is just a curiousity to me at this point, I will be playing my first year of ACHA D2 hockey this year, so it is a long shot, of course, but I figure it can't hurt to be educated on it. I'm minoring in German in college, hence the interest in the German-speaking countries. It's something I'd do just for the experience after college. Thank you again for all your anecdotes and advice, looking forward to hearing more.

[Gongshow11 1]

what school? in illinois or no...i love chicago

[dw91 0]

Bradley University, in Peoria, Illinois. Yes, they have a hockey team, although evidently no one on campus has heard about it. Hopefully that changes.