DEL2 hockey: player level, contracts and tryouts

League position and verified status

DEL2 is Germany’s second national professional senior level below PENNY DEL. The official 2026/27 framework confirms 14 participating clubs.

2026/27 competition format

The double round robin contains 52 regular-season rounds. The season starts on 18 September 2026 and the regular season ends on 7 March 2027. Pre-playoffs, playoffs and playdowns follow on the published calendar.

Clubs and choosing a target

Do not send the same message to every club. Check the current roster, authorised sporting contact, location and whether the team needs the player’s position. A league page narrows the market; it does not prove a vacancy.

Could your profile fit DEL2?

EHA's starting check is a comparison of evidence, not a points cutoff or a guaranteed route. Compare your recent competition and role with current players in the official DEL2 player directory. A roster shows who plays; it does not establish who is recruiting.

• Current level and role: identify the league, season, position, usage and how your production was achieved.
• Repeatable actions: show decisions under pressure, skating pace, off-puck work and role-specific responsibilities in a recent full game.
• Availability: state contract status, any release needed and the date you can actually join.
• Recruitment fit: a club must have a need for your position and role. A training invitation, assessment and contract are different stages.

If the evidence does not support DEL2 now, an initial check can identify missing materials or another level to investigate. See the German hockey guide and the DEL2–Maxa liga comparison above.

Roster and foreign-player rules

The public framework confirms the competition format, but it does not establish one simple foreign-player rule that should be applied without checking the current DEL2 regulations and the player’s status. The club must confirm eligibility and roster treatment in writing.

Recruitment timing and tryouts

There is no single public recruiting window for imports. Many decisions are made before the season, while in-season openings are targeted. Approach clubs for a defined position and do not pay for travel without a written invitation and terms.

Contract, pay and housing

There is no official universal salary table for every club. Put gross/net pay, payment dates, bonuses, housing, deposit, utilities, food, travel, equipment, insurance, injury, trial period, termination and return travel in writing.

Residence and right to work

EU/EEA and third-country citizens face different immigration and employment procedures. Germany’s official federal portal has a specific route for professional athletes. For 2026 it requires the athlete to be at least 16, work for a German club or sporting institution participating in competitive sport, receive at least €50,700 gross per year, and have the required confirmation from the national governing body in agreement with the German Olympic Sports Confederation.

IIHF transfer, registration and insurance

A move between national associations follows the current IIHF regulations. An ITC does not replace domestic registration, a contract, insurance or immigration permission. Confirm who starts the transfer and pays every fee before travel.

Player application package

Prepare passport and any second citizenship; birth year, position, shot, height and weight; current team and verified statistics; Elite Prospects or federation profile; role-based highlights and a recent full game; contract status, release and exact availability.