2023–24 Asia League Ice Hockey Season: HL Anyang Clinches Eighth Championship
The 2023–24 Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH) season marked its 21st year of operation, delivering a high-stakes campaign that culminated in a dominant performance by HL Anyang. Spanning from 16 September 2023 to 6 April 2024, the season saw intense competition among five participating teams as they battled for regional supremacy on the ice.
Following the departure of the East Hokkaido Cranes in July 2023 due to unresolved salary issues, the league structure underwent significant changes. With fewer teams in the lineup, the playoff format was streamlined, allowing only the top two teams from the regular season to qualify for the post-season tournament.
Key Facts
- League Champions: HL Anyang (their 8th title)
- Playoff Runner-up: Red Eagles Hokkaido
- Regular Season MVP: Lee Chong-min (HL Anyang)
- Playoffs MVP: Shin Sang-woo (HL Anyang)
- Top Scorer: Kim Sang-wook (HL Anyang) with 48 points
- Total Games Played: 80
Participating Teams and Venues
The season featured five dedicated clubs representing various cities across Asia. Each team brought a unique home-ice advantage, playing in arenas with capacities ranging from approximately 1,200 to 3,500 spectators.
| Team | City/Town | Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL Anyang | Anyang | Anyang Ice Arena | 1,284 |
| Red Eagles Hokkaido | Tomakomai | Hakucho Arena | 3,015 |
| Nikkō Ice Bucks | Nikkō | Nikkō Kirifuri Ice Arena | 1,608 |
| Tohoku Free Blades | Hachinohe | Flat Hachinohe | 3,500 |
| Yokohama Grits | Yokohama | KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center | 2,500 |
Regular Season Standings
The regular season concluded on 24 March 2024, with HL Anyang securing their seventh regular season championship. They finished with 71 points, leading the pack ahead of the Red Eagles Hokkaido.
Regular Season Results Summary
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HL Anyang | 32 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 126 | 81 | +45 | 71 | |
| 2 | Red Eagles Hokkaido | 32 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 124 | 78 | +46 | 65 | |
| 3 | Tohoku Free Blades | 32 | 14 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 101 | 107 | −6 | 48 | |
| 4 | Nikkō Ice Bucks | 32 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 99 | 118 | −19 | 43 | |
| 5 | Yokohama Grits | 32 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 26 | 78 | 144 | −66 | 13 |
The Playoffs and Finals
As the only two teams to qualify for the playoffs, HL Anyang and Red Eagles Hokkaido faced off in a best-of-five series. The series followed a 2–2–1–1–1 format, with the regular season runner-up hosting the first two games.
The championship battle was a thrilling affair. After a grueling 3OT (three overtime) victory for HL Anyang in the first game, the series moved back and forth. Ultimately, HL Anyang secured the title with a 3–1 series victory, clinching their eighth championship on 6 April 2024.
Finals Match Recap
- Game 1: HL Anyang 5–4 Red Eagles Hokkaido (3OT)
- Game 2: HL Anyang 5–2 Red Eagles Hokkaido
- Game 3: Red Eagles Hokkaido 5–0 HL Anyang
- Game 4: Red Eagles Hokkaido 1–5 HL Anyang
Individual Excellence and Awards
The 2023–24 season highlighted several standout athletes. Kim Sang-wook of HL Anyang led the league in scoring with 48 points, while Seiji Takahashi of the Red Eagles Hokkaido was recognized as the leading scorer for the regular season.
Season Awards
- Regular Season MVP: Lee Chong-min (HL Anyang)
- Playoffs MVP: Shin Sang-woo (HL Anyang)
- Best Goaltender: Yuta Narisawa (Red Eagles Hokkaido)
- Rookie of the Year: Riku Ishida (Tohoku Free Blades)
- Leading Points: Kim Sang-wook (HL Anyang)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023–24 Asia League Ice Hockey championship?
HL Anyang won the championship, marking their eighth title in the league's history.
How many teams participated in the 2023–24 season?
Five teams participated in the season: HL Anyang, Red Eagles Hokkaido, Nikkō Ice Bucks, Tohoku Free Blades, and Yokohama Grits.
Who was the top scorer of the regular season?
Kim Sang-wook from HL Anyang was the top scorer, finishing the regular season with 48 points.
Why did the number of playoff teams decrease this season?
Due to the reduction in the total number of participating teams following the departure of the East Hokkaido Cranes, only the top two teams qualified for the playoffs.
Which goaltender was named the best in the league?
Yuta Narisawa of the Red Eagles Hokkaido was awarded the Best Goaltender title.