CZECH REPUBLIC: Extraliga

The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. The name of the league is leased a general sponsor and changes frequently. In 1999-00, it was known as the Staropramen Extraliga; for 2001-01 and 2001-02 seasons, it was called the Český Telecom Extraliga; from 2003-04 to 2005-06, it was known as the Tipsport Extraliga; for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, it was known as the O2 Extraliga. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.

The Czech Extraliga is rooted in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. The Czech Extraliga was spun off in 1993 following the administrative break-up of Czechoslovakia. A lot of Extraliga players leave every year on transfers to the North American NHL and Eurasian league, the KHL. There are currently 57 Czech ice hockey players based in the National Hockey League, making Czechs the third largest nationality represented in the league, after Canadians and Americans.

14 teams compete in the league. The top 10 teams at the end of the regular season advance to the final play-offs. After the regular season (52 rounds), the teams that finished 7th to 10th will play a pre-quarter final playoff series (best-of-five) to determine who will join the top six into the quarter finals (best-of-seven).

Since the 2006-07 season, three points has been be awarded for a win in regular time, and two points for an overtime victory, while the defeated team in overtime gets one point. If necessary, penalty shots are used to decide games after overtime.

There was also only one assist credited for each goal instead of two since 2006-07, which affected the league statistics, so the rule was cancelled in the 2008-2009 season. Two assists are counted now.

The four lowest ranked teams (11 - 14) after the regular season play in a play out group (12 rounds, all regular-season matches are counted into the ranking). The last placed team after the play out group plays with a winner of 1. národní hokejová liga play off serie (best-of-seven). The winner of this serie will play in the Extraliga next season. The loser will play 1. národní hokejová liga.

CHAMPIONS:

* 1994 HC Olomouc
* 1995 HC Dadák Vsetín
* 1996 HC Petra Vsetín
* 1997 HC Petra Vsetín
* 1998 HC Slovnaft Vsetín
* 1999 HC Slovnaft Vsetín
* 2000 HC Sparta Praha
* 2001 HC Vsetín
* 2002 HC Sparta Praha
* 2003 HC Slavia Praha
* 2004 RI OKNA Zlín
* 2005 HC Moeller Pardubice
* 2006 HC Sparta Praha
* 2007 HC Sparta Praha
* 2008 HC Slavia Praha
* 2009 HC Energie Karlovy Vary