The New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) is New Zealand's top-level ice hockey league. Established in 2005 by Guenther Birgel, the NZIHL is sanctioned by New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation (a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation). The NZIHL is an amateur league with players not paid to play. The NZIHL champion is awarded the Birgel Cup. The NZIHL is currently contested by six teams from three affiliated regions, including three teams from the North Island and three teams from the South Island. The most successful team in NZIHL history is the SkyCity Stampede, who have claimed eight NZIHL championships. The current champion, from 2023, is the SkyCity Stampede.

History

The New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) was formed in 2005 to develop the sport of ice hockey in New Zealand by Guenther Birgel, and to give the top players in the country regular competitive hockey to improve the skill level of the game domestically and make New Zealand more competitive on the international stage. The league was setup with restrictions on import players (players born outside of New Zealand and Australia) to assist in the promotion of local players to help achieve its founding goals. Scheduling for NZIHL would fit into the Northern Hemisphere's ice hockey offseason, to enable a small amount of quality import players to help grow the sport and teach local players. The league was founded with four teams that included the Canterbury Red Devils, West Auckland Admirals, Southern Stampede and South Auckland Swarm.

The first ever game of the NZIHL in the inaugural 2005 season, was played on 3 June 2005 at Paradice Botany Downs, Auckland. The game saw hosts, West Auckland Admirals, defeat the visiting Canterbury Red Devils 5–2, with all goals coming in the third period after blank first and second periods.

The maiden season ran for four rounds and twelve games followed by a best of three finals series in Dunedin. Southern Stampede finished top of the regular season standings, claiming the league premiership. The Stampede were joined by the Admirals in the finals series. Southern Stampede were crowned NZIHL champions and lifted the maiden NZIHL Trophy with a 2–0 clean sweep of the finals series. Simon Glass, from the Stampede, finished as the league's first top points scorer with 14 points and took out the league MVP award. Steven Reid, also of the Stampede, was named Finals MVP.

Prior to 2007 season, the South Auckland Swarm changed its name to the Botany Swarm in order to differentiate themselves with a more unique name from the West Auckland Admirals. Previously there had been confusion around the similar names. Botany was chosen as the Swarm's home rink is located in the Auckland suburb of Botany Downs.

In 2008, the league expanded for the first time and added a fifth team. The Dunedin Thunder joined the league as a second team from Otago, creating the first South Island derby in the league along with the Southern Stampede. The Stampede relocated to Queenstown leaving the Thunder to build its supporter base in Dunedin.

For the 2010 season, the league announced a change to the NZIHL championship trophy. The NZIHL trophy was retired and the league introduced the Birgel Cup to be handed to the league champion who wins the NZIHL Finals.

新西兰冰球联赛(NZIHL)是新西兰最高级别的冰球锦标赛。该联赛成立于2005年,由六支来自不同城市的球队参加。这些球队包括奥克兰冰魂队、坎特伯雷红鹿队、达尼丁雷鸟队、皇后镇山猫队、韦斯特港蓝鲸队和斯卡帕斯顿猛龙队。

NZIHL每年夏季举行,通常从6月开始,持续到8月。比赛地点遍布新西兰各地的冰球场馆,为球迷们提供了观赏高水平冰球比赛的机会。

这项锦标赛吸引了来自世界各地的优秀冰球运动员参加。球队之间的竞争激烈,比赛节奏快速,技术高超。观众们可以欣赏到精彩的进球、刺激的对抗以及令人惊叹的扑救。

NZIHL不仅是一项竞技体育赛事,也是一个聚集冰球爱好者的社区。球迷们可以在比赛中为自己支持的球队加油助威,与其他球迷分享激情和喜悦。此外,联赛还为年轻球员提供了锻炼和展示才华的机会,为新西兰冰球的发展做出了重要贡献。

无论是对冰球运动感兴趣的人还是想要体验一场激动人心的比赛的观众,NZIHL都是一个不容错过的冰球盛事。这是一个展示技巧、速度和团队合作的机会,同时也是一个聚集冰球爱好者的社交活动。