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 ?eský 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.

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.

Format

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, 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 is also only one assist credited for each goal instead of two since 2006-07, which affects the league statistics.

2007-08 teams

Note: The names of most teams are leased to general sponsors and change frequently.

The playoffs

The top 10 teams at the end of the regular season play in the final play-offs.

Starting from the 2003-04 season, the play-offs has its own general sponsor, with the play-offs' official name being ?eská poji??ovna play-off Tipsport extraligy. The play-offs determine the league championship.

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 Prague
• 2001 HC Vsetín
• 2002 HC Sparta Prague
• 2003 HC Slavia Prague
• 2004 RI OKNA Zlín
• 2005 HC Moeller Pardubice
• 2006 HC Sparta Prague
• 2007 HC Sparta Prague
• 2008 HC Slavia Prague

See also

• Sports attendances

External links

• http://www.hokej.cz
• http://hokej.idnes.cz

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