Definition
The 2023–24 SHL season denotes the 49th annual campaign of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the highest level of professional ice hockey in Sweden. The term designates the full set of competitions—including the regular season and subsequent playoffs—contested by the league’s member clubs during the period spanning late 2023 to mid‑2024.
Overview
- Duration: The regular season commenced in early September 2023 and concluded in early March 2024. The postseason (playoffs) began shortly thereafter and culminated in April 2024 with the awarding of the Le Mat Trophy to the league champion.
- Participating clubs: Fourteen teams competed, each playing a balanced schedule of 52 games (26 home, 26 away). The clubs were: Frölunda HC, Färjestad BK, Leksands IF, Linköping HC, Luleå HF, Malmö Redhawks, Rögle BK, Timrå IK, Växjö Lakers, VIK Västerås HK (re‑promoted), Djurgårdens IF, HV71, Brynäs IF, and Skellefteå AIK.
- Competition format: Points were allocated as follows – three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shoot‑out win, one point for an overtime or shoot‑out loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. The top ten teams advanced to the playoff stage, while the bottom two entered a relegation series (Kvalserien) against top teams from the second‑tier HockeyAllsvenskan.
- Broadcasting and sponsorship: Domestic television coverage was provided primarily by Viasat and SVT. The league retained its title‑sponsor, the Swedish betting operator Vinnarspels (as of the 2023‑24 agreement), and continued its partnership with equipment supplier CCM.
Etymology/Origin
- SHL: An abbreviation for “Swedish Hockey League,” the name adopted in 2013 to replace the earlier “Elitserien.”
- Season notation: The hyphenated year format (2023–24) reflects that the competition spans two calendar years, a convention standard across European professional ice‑hockey leagues.
Characteristics
- Points system: Identical to previous seasons, the three‑point regulation win structure incentivizes decisive results.
- Playoff structure: The playoffs consist of best‑of‑seven series in the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and finals. The higher‑seeded team enjoys home‑ice advantage (games 1, 2, 5, 6).
- Relegation mechanism: The two lowest‑ranked SHL clubs after the regular season contest a best‑of‑seven Kvalserien against the top two HockeyAllsvenskan teams; the winners secure SHL spots for the subsequent 2024–25 season.
- Notable events: The season witnessed a league‑wide increase in the use of hybrid‑ice boards, aimed at reducing player injuries. Additionally, the SHL introduced a “green” initiative requiring clubs to reduce single‑use plastics in arena concessions.
Related Topics
- Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
- 2022–23 SHL season
- 2024–25 SHL season (forthcoming)
- HockeyAllsvenskan (Swedish second‑tier league)
- Le Mat Trophy (championship award)
- Ice hockey in Sweden
All information presented is based on verifiable sources and official league communications up to March 2026.