Bosnian League starts without champion

18 Jan 2012 | Vicko Ivanković

Third edition of Bosnia League began without champion HK Bosna choosing to play just the new international Total TV Hockey League

Bosnian hockey league started for third consecutive season. First season was played in 2010 with three teams (HK Bosna, HK Stari Grad and HK Alfa). The first winner was HK Stari Grad. Second season was played during first three months of year 2011. HK Ilidža 2010 joined three existing clubs and after very exciting season HK Bosna became winner for the first time.

In new season league went through changes. The plan was to reorganize league in way that clubs are the owners of the league; something similar to NHL. That means that league is not organized by national federation. Reigning champion HK Bosna didn't want to accept this change so they decided not to take part in new season. Remaining three teams started new season with new jerseys, new logos and some new players.

HK Ilidža 2010, the reigning national cup winner, got new nickname - Ajkule (Sharks). In the roster they have almost all players who played last season and two players who came from HK Bosna - Aleksandar Knežević and Andrew Braxton Canfield. Top scorers from last season are the club's best players - Dino Čordalija and Mirzet Hodžić.

HK Stari Grad Vukovi (Wolves) were first league champions. Last season they missed playoffs in last game and this season they expect better result. Their best player and scorer is Canadian Anthony London. They also haven't changed their roster; only additions are Will Richard and Dino Dželkić from HK Bosna.

HK Alfa Medbjedi (Bears) are last season finalists. They went through big changes in roster; they lost the league's best scorer last season - Ross MacLean. They also added few players from HK Bosna; Armen Velić, Din Gašević, Dino Pašović and Dubravko Posavec.

The format isn't determined yet but it's expected that each team will play 12 games in regular season. League rules are modified; games are played in two periods that last for 20 minutes without stopping clock. There is no icing and open ice contact is forbidden. All games are played in only regular sized ice rink in country - in Zetra ice hall II in capital Sarajevo. Competition started on January 9th with game between Sharks and Bears. Sharks won the game 2-1 in the shootout. Two days later another game was played. This time Sharks lost against Wolves with 6-2.

HK Bosna that folded this league decide to organize another competition. I cooperation with Macedonian hockey federation (MHF) they formed international league called Total TV League, from the main sponsor, which includes 4 clubs: HK Skopje (Macedonia), Iraklis (Greece), Red Star (Bulgaria) and HK Bosna (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Schedule isn't confirmed yet but it's sure that league will be tournament type. Two tournaments will be played in Skopje and two in Sarajevo. First game was played on January 14th in Skopje in newly built ice hall which is part of sport complex Boris Trajkovski. Home team HK Skopje played against Greek club Iraklis from Thessaloniki and lost 5-4. There is possibility that three more clubs join this league; one from Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia.