New Zealand Ice Hockey League

New Zealand Ice Hockey League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023 NZIHL season
SportIce hockey
Founded2005 (19 years ago) (2005)
CEOAndreas Kaisser
PresidentAndy Mills
No. of teams6
Country New Zealand
ConfederationNZIHF
Most recent
champion(s)
SkyCity Stampede
(8th title)
Most titlesSkyCity Stampede
(8 titles)
TV partner(s)YouTube
Official websitewww.nzihl.com

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.