2014–15 Asia League Ice Hockey Season Review
The 2014–15 season marked the 12th installment of Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH), a premier professional ice hockey league featuring clubs from China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. Spanning from 6 September 2014 to 24 March 2015, this season was characterized by league expansion and intense competition across the regular season and playoffs.
A notable development this year was the inclusion of HC Sakhalin, a new team that joined the league to expand its international footprint. With nine teams competing, the season provided a diverse landscape of talent and regional rivalries.
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Key Facts
- Season Duration: 6 September 2014 – 24 March 2015
- Regular Season Champions: Anyang Halla
- Playoff Champions: Tohoku Free Blades
- Top Scorer: Hiroki Ueno (80 points)
- Total Participating Teams: 9
Participating Teams and League History
The league's composition in 2014–15 showcased a mix of long-standing members and newer additions. Teams like the Nippon Paper Cranes and Anyang Halla have been pillars of the league since its early years in 2003.
| Club | City/Area | Joined ALIH |
|---|---|---|
| Nippon Paper Cranes | Kushiro | 2003 |
| Anyang Halla | Anyang | 2003 |
| Nikko Ice Bucks | Nikkō | 2003 |
| Oji Eagles | Tomakomai | 2003 |
| High1 | Chuncheon | 2005 |
| China Dragon | Shanghai | 2007 |
| Tohoku Free Blades | Hachinohe | 2009 |
| Daemyung Sangmu | Seoul | 2013 |
| HC Sakhalin | Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk | 2014 |
Regular Season Performance
The regular season saw Anyang Halla dominate the standings, finishing in first place with 99 points. They displayed remarkable consistency over 48 games, securing 29 wins. Close behind were HC Sakhalin and the Tohoku Free Blades, both finishing with 91 points, though Sakhalin took the second spot due to their superior record.
Individual excellence was highlighted by Hiroki Ueno, who emerged as the season's top scorer, accumulating a total of 80 points (40 goals and 40 assists).
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Regular Season Standings
| Rank | Team | GP | W | Pts | GF–GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anyang Halla | 48 | 29 | 99 | 182–111 |
| 2 | HC Sakhalin | 48 | 26 | 91 | 180–129 |
| 3 | Tohoku Free Blades | 48 | 27 | 91 | 188–131 |
| 4 | Oji Eagles | 48 | 21 | 83 | 156–138 |
| 5 | High1 | 48 | 22 | 76 | 164–154 |
| 6 | Nippon Paper Cranes | 48 | 15 | 69 | 160–157 |
| 7 | Daemyung Sangmu | 48 | 14 | 58 | 155–199 |
| 8 | Nikko Ice Bucks | 48 | 15 | 58 | 150–184 |
| 9 | China Dragon | 48 | 5 | 23 | 116–248 |
Playoff Results and Championship
The postseason structure began with a Quarterfinal pre-qualification round, where the fourth and fifth-placed teams—Oji Eagles and High1—competed in a best-of-three series. High1 advanced after defeating the Oji Eagles 2–1.
In the Semifinals, the top seeds faced off. Anyang Halla secured their place in the finals by defeating High1 3–0, while the Tohoku Free Blades overcame HC Sakhalin with a 3–1 series victory.
The season culminated in a high-stakes Finals series between Anyang Halla and the Tohoku Free Blades. In a decisive performance, the Tohoku Free Blades claimed the championship, winning the series 3–2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2014–15 Asia League Ice Hockey championship?
The Tohoku Free Blades won the playoff championship for the 2014–15 season.
Which team finished first in the regular season?
Anyang Halla finished at the top of the regular season standings with 99 points.
Who was the top scorer of the season?
Hiroki Ueno was the top scorer, recording a total of 80 points.
How many teams participated in the 2014–15 season?
A total of nine teams participated in the season, including the newly added HC Sakhalin.
Which countries were represented in the league?
The league included teams from China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea.