View source for Metal Ligaen

{{Short description|Top Danish men's ice hockey league}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox Sports league
| title          = Metal Ligaen
| current_season = 2024–25 Metal Ligaen season
| last_season    =
| logo           = Metaligaen_logo.png
| pixels         = <!-- use a format of ##px, such as 120px -->
| caption        =
| Formerly       =
| sport          = Ice hockey
| founded        = {{start date and age|1954}}
| fame           =
| motto          =
| inaugural      =
| teams          = 9
| relegation     =
| country        = [[Denmark]]
| venue          =
| champion       = [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]] (7)
| most_champs    = [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning]] (16)
| folded         =
| website        = {{URL|http://metalligaen.dk/}}
| singles        =
| ceo            =
| Director       =
| TV             = [[TV 2 Sport (Denmark)|TV2 Sport]]
| related_comps  = [[Danish Division 1]]<br />[[Danish Cup (ice hockey)|Danish Cup]]
| Founder        =
}}

The '''Superisligaen''', known as the '''Metal Ligaen''' for sponsorship reasons, is the highest-level [[ice hockey]] league in [[Denmark]]. The league consists of 9 professional teams.

Teams from the Superisligaen can participate in the [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]]'s annual [[Champions Hockey League]] (CHL), competing for the European Trophy. Participation is based on the strength of the various leagues in Europe (excluding the European/Asian [[Kontinental Hockey League]]). Going into the [[2022–23 Champions Hockey League|2022–23 CHL season]], the Superisligaen was [[Champions Hockey League#League ranking|ranked the No. 13 league]] in Europe, allowing them to send their top team to compete in the CHL.

== History ==
The Danish ice hockey league has become a springboard for foreign players and a place to start their European careers, before traveling to other bigger leagues such as the [[Swedish Hockey League]] or [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga|DEL]]. The teams rely mostly on foreign talent, but there are still a lot of skilled professional Danish players. Mostly the older Danish players are full-time professional. Most younger players are semi-professional because of the tight economy in Danish hockey, and most of the money is spent on more talented foreign players.

In the past, the league has consisted of as many as 10 teams. Despite the introduction of a salary cap as well as a limit to the number of import players allowed, several teams have struggled financially in recent years. As a result, the [[Herlev Hornets]] and the [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Cobras]] have withdrawn from the league, reducing the number of active teams from ten to eight. Teams from the second-tier league were offered the empty spots, but no team were able to accept the offer, citing financial issues as their main concern.

On 9 January 2015 [[TV 2 Sport (Denmark)|TV2 Sport]] debuted as a new sports channel on Danish TV. Same day, HockeyNight also aired for the first time, with a match between [[Odense Bulldogs]] and [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted]]. Since 2015 TV2 Sport has been the place to watch icehockey and other sports.

On 18 June 2016, it was made clear that the foreign player limit of eight was against EU law and was therefore removed. The 2016–17 season was the first time, since 2009, that a Danish ice hockey team could have an unlimited number of foreign players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.faceoff.dk/i-dag-ryger-udlaendingeloftet/|title=Farvel til udlændingeloftet i dansk ishockey – Faceoff.dk|website=faceoff.dk|access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> The salary cap was created to regulate the league, and was 6 million DKK for the 2016–17 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.faceoff.dk/liga-klubber-faar-tildelt-egenkapital-frem-til-2019-loenloft-stadig-seks-millioner/|title=Liga-klubber får tildelt egenkapital frem til 2019 – lønloft stadig seks millioner – Faceoff.dk|website=faceoff.dk|access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref>

On 3 June 2017, Metal Ligaen was expanded once again, to an historic number of 11 teams. [[Copenhagen Hockey|Hvidovre Fighters]], who had previously left the league in 2013 because of bankruptcy, got their submitted papers approved, making them the 11th team of the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ishockey.dk/pm-hvidovre-godkendt-metal-ligaen-udvides-fra-10-til-11-hold/|title=PM: Hvidovre godkendt! Metal Ligaen udvides fra 10 til 11 hold|work=Danmarks Ishockey Union|access-date=3 June 2017|language=da-DK}}</ref>

== League format ==
The league consists of 9 teams. The latest expansion was in 2014, when [[Gentofte Stars]] joined the league after being relegated in 1999. The league format has changed many times. The current structure was implemented in the 2011–12 season. Often it is changed depending on how many teams are represented in the league. There has never been more than 10 teams in the Danish ice hockey league, making it a fairly small league compared to other leagues in Europe.

The Danish hockey league is structured so that the teams meet five times, making the seasons after 2014 45 games long. The season typically starts in September and ends in February. The top eight teams of the regular season make the playoffs. First place gets to pick who they want to play in the quarterfinals. second place picks next and so on. The Metal Ligaen playoffs consists of three rounds: quarterfinals, semifinals, and the finals. The winner will raise The Prince Henrik's Cup.

As of the 2017–18 Metal Ligaen expansion, the Metal Ligaen regular season was extended from 45 games to a historic 50 games. The playoff format was also changed, where previously the top 8 teams made the playoffs. Now the top 6 teams advanced directly to the quarter-finals and teams ranking from 7 to 10 play for the last two wildcard spots.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ishockey.dk/pm-hvidovre-godkendt-metal-ligaen-udvides-fra-10-til-11-hold/|title=PM: Hvidovre godkendt! Metal Ligaen udvides fra 10 til 11 hold|work=Danmarks Ishockey Union|access-date=3 June 2017|language=da-DK}}</ref>

=== Metal Cup ===

The Metal Cup is a tournament held every year. It consists of 12 teams, where all Metal Ligaen teams are represented. Two teams from the [[Danish Division 1|1.division]] are also represented. The top 4 teams the year before will go straight to the quarter-finals. The 8 other teams will by draw be divided into 4 groups each one of them with a letter from A to D. 4 teams will advance on from first round to the quarter-finals. In the quarter-finals, the last season's champions will play the winner of group A, the second-placed winner of group B and so on. Games in the quarter-finals and semi-finals consists of two games. The winner of the tournament will receive the Metal Cup.

In 2017, the Metal Cup format was changed. Because of Hvidovre Fighters joining the league, the format would now only consist of teams from the Metal Ligaen and, instead of a playout format, the top 4 teams after 20 regular season games would be invited to a final four tournament.

==Names and sponsorship==
The [[Danish Ice Hockey Union]] officially recognizes the league as the Superisligaen.<ref>{{cite report |title=Licensudvalgets bestemmelser {{!}} Uddrag af DIUs love og turneringsbestemmelser |lang=da |trans-title=Licensing Committee regulations {{!}} Extract from DIU's laws and tournament regulations |date=1 February 2023 |page=2 |publisher=[[Danish Ice Hockey Union]] |url=http://ishockey.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Licensudvalget-bestemmelser.pdf |access-date=1 February 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419171133/http://ishockey.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Licensudvalget-bestemmelser.pdf |archive-date=19 April 2022 |quote=Foreninger, som er sportsligt kvalificeret til at deltage i Superisligaen... skal søge om ligalicens for næste sæson inden hvert års 1. april. [Associations that are sportingly qualified to participate in the Superisligaen... must apply for a league license for the next season before April 1 each year.]}}</ref>  Through the years, the naming rights of the league has been leased to a series of sponsors, resulting in numerous name changes.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Period
! Name
! Sponsor
|-
| 1960–1998
| Superisligaen
| none
|-
| 1998–2001
| Codan Ligaen
| [[Codan A/S]]
|-
| 1998–2002
| Sanistål Ligaen
| Sanistål A/S
|-
| 2002–2004
| SuperBest Ligaen
| [[SuperBest]]
|-
| 2004–2007
| Oddset Ligaen
| [[Danske Spil]]
|-
| 2007–2013
| AL-Bank Ligaen
| [[Arbejdernes Landsbank]]
|-
| 2013–2014<br>(half-season)
| Superisligaen
| none
|-
| 2014–
| Metal Ligaen
| [[Danish Union of Metalworkers]]
|}

== Teams ==
{{Location map+|Denmark|width=451|float=right
 |caption=Teams currently in the Metal Ligaen.
 |alt=Metal Ligaen
 |places=
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.76 |long= 12.40 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=70 |position = left |label=[[Herlev]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.48 |long=  8.45 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = right |label=[[Esbjerg Energy]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 57.44 |long=  10.52 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = bottom|label=[[Frederikshavn White Hawks]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 56.13 |long= 8.98 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = right |label=[[Herning Blue Fox]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.40 |long= 10.39 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = right |label=[[Odense Bulldogs]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.69 |long= 12.40 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=70 |position = left |label=[[Rødovre]] }}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.25 |long= 9.30 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = bottom |label=[[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 57.05 |long= 9.92 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=80 |position = left |label=[[Aalborg Pirates]]}}
  {{Location map~|Denmark|lat= 55.90 |long= 12.48 |mark = Blue pog.svg |label_size=70 |position = top |label=[[Rungsted Ishockey Klub|Rungsted]]}}
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"
|+
! Team
! City
! Founded
! Arena
!Capacity
!Opened
|-
| '''[[Aalborg Pirates]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6353 | title = Aalborg Pirates | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164431/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6353 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Aalborg]]
| 1967
| [[Gigantium|Sparekassen Danmark Isarena]]
|5000
|2007
|-
| '''[[Esbjerg Energy]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6358 | title = Esbjerg Energy | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164453/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6358 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Esbjerg]]
| 1964
| [[Granly Hockey Arena]]
|4200
|1976
|-
| '''[[Frederikshavn White Hawks]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6356 | title = Frederikshavn White Hawks | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164438/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6356 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Frederikshavn]]
| 1964
| [[Scanel Hockey Arena|Nordjyske Bank Arena]]
|4000
|2015
|-
| '''[[Herning Blue Fox]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6351 | title = Blue Fox Herning | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164245/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6351 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Herning]]
| 1947
| [[KVIK Hockey Arena]]
|4100
|1988
|-
| '''[[Herlev Eagles]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6354 | title = Herlev Eagles | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164238/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6354 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Herlev]]
| 1968
| [[PM Montage Arena]]
|1740
|1977
|-
| '''[[Odense Bulldogs]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6350 | title = Bulldogs Odense | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164922/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6350 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Odense]]
| 1978
| [[Odense Isstadion|Spar Nord Arena]]
|3280
|1999
|-
| '''[[Rungsted Ishockey Klub|Rungsted Seier Capital]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6352 | title = Rungsted Seier Capital | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164725/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6352 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Rungsted]]
| 1941
| [[Concordium Arena]]
|2460
|1971
|-
| '''[[Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6355 | title = Rødovre Mighty Bulls | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164929/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6355 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Rødovre]]
| 1964
| [[Holger Danske Arena]]
|3600
|1995
|-
| '''[[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]'''<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6357 | title = SønderjyskE | publisher = al-bankligaen.dk | access-date = 12 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112164515/http://www.al-bankligaen.dk/Hold.ASPX?HoldID=6357 | archive-date = 12 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| [[Vojens]]
| 1963
| [[Sydjysk Sparekasse Arena]]
|5000
|2011
|}

== Notable players ==
List of notable players who have played in the Danish ice hockey league.

{|
|-----
| VALIGN="TOP" |
* [[Frederik Andersen]]
* [[Valeri Bragin]] (USSR)
* [[Robert Burakovsky]] (Sweden)
* [[Jannik Hansen]]
* [[Morten Madsen]]
| VALIGN="TOP" |
* [[Frans Nielsen]]
* [[Peter Regin]]
* [[Kent Simpson (ice hockey, born 1975)|Kent Simpson]] (Canada)
* [[Juha Riihijärvi]] (Finland)
* [[Colin Greening]] (Canada)
| VALIGN="TOP" |
* [[Petri Skriko]] (Finland)
* [[Todd Simpson]] (Canada)
* [[Kim Staal]]
* [[Kirill Starkov]]
* [[Oliver Bjorkstrand]]
|
|}

== Danish Champions ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|'''Season'''
|'''Winner'''
|'''Finalist'''
|'''Bronze'''
|'''[[Danish Cup (ice hockey)|Cup]] Champion'''
|-
![[1954–55 Danish Ice Hockey Championship season|1954–55]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Silkeborg SF|Silkeborg]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1955–56 Danish Ice Hockey Championship season|1955–56]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| ''not played''
|''not yet played''
|-
!1956–57
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
|''not yet played''
|-
!1957–58
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
|''not yet played''
|-
!1958–59
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
| ''not played''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1959–60 Danish Ice Hockey Championship season|1959–60]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Silkeborg SF|Silkeborg]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1960–61 Danish 1. division season|1960–61]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1961–62 Danish 1. division season|1961–62]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| ''not played''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1962–63 Danish 1. division season|1962–63]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[KSF København]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1963–64 Danish 1. division season|1963–64]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1964–65 Danish 1. division season|1964–65]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1965–66 Danish 1. division season|1965–66]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1966–67 Danish 1. division season|1966–67]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1967–68 Danish 1. division season|1967–68]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1968–69 Danish 1. division season|1968–69]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[SønderjyskE (ice hockey)|Vojens IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1969–70 Danish 1. division season|1969–70]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1970–71 Danish 1. division season|1970–71]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]] and [[SønderjyskE Ishockey|Vojens IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1971–72 Danish 1. division season|1971–72]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1972–73 Danish 1. division season|1972–73]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1973–74 Danish 1. division season|1973–74]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1974–75 Danish 1. division season|1974–75]]
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1975–76 Danish 1. division season|1975–76]]
| [[KSF København]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1976–77 Danish 1. division season|1976–77]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1977–78 Danish 1. division season|1977–78]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[KSF København]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey|Vojens IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1978–79 Danish 1. division season|1978–79]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey|Vojens IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1979–80 Danish 1. division season|1979–80]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey|Vojens IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1980–81 Danish 1. division season|1980–81]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1981–82 Danish 1. division season|1981–82]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey|Vojens IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1982–83 Danish 1. division season|1982–83]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
| [[Herlev Hornets|Herlev IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1983–84 Danish 1. division season|1983–84]]
| [[Herlev Hornets|Herlev IK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1984–85 Danish 1. division season|1984–85]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1985–86 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1985–86]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1986–87 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1986–87]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1987–88 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1987–88]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| ''no playoff''
| ''no playoff''
|''not yet played''
|-
![[1988–89 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1988–89]]
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks|Frederikshavn IK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
|[[Esbjerg IK]]
|-
![[1989–90 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1989–90]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks|Frederikshavn IK]]
|''not played''
|-
![[1990–91 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1990–91]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
|[[Esbjerg IK]]
|-
![[1991–92 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1991–92]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
|[[Esbjerg IK]]
|-
![[1992–93 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1992–93]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls|Rødovre SIK]]
|[[Esbjerg IK]]
|-
![[1993–94 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1993–94]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aalborg IK]]
|[[Herning IK]]
|-
![[1994–95 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1994–95]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
|''not played''
|-
![[1995–96 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1995–96]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
|[[Herning IK]]
|-
![[1996–97 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1996–97]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox|Herning IK]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
|''not played''
|-
![[1997–98 Eliteserien (Denmark) season|1997–98]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted IK]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Herning Blue Fox]]
|-
![[1998–99 Codan Ligaen season|1998–99]]
| [[Rødovre SIK|Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|[[Frederikshavn IK]]
|-
! [[1999–2000 Codan Ligaen season|1999–2000]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
|[[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Cobras]]
|-
! [[2000–01 Codan Ligaen season|2000–01]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Esbjerg IK]]
| [[Rødovre SIK|Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]
|''not played''
|-
! [[2001–02 Sanistål Ligaen season|2001–02]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Cobras]]
| [[Odense Bulldogs|Odense IK]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
|[[Frederikshavn IK]]
|-
! [[2002–03 SuperBest Ligaen season|2002–03]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Odense Bulldogs|Odense IK]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Cobras]]
|[[Odense Bulldogs|Odense IK]]
|-
! [[2003–04 SuperBest Ligaen season|2003–04]]
| [[Esbjerg IK|Esbjerg Oilers]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aab Ishockey]]
| [[Odense Bulldogs|Odense IK]]
|[[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Cobras]]
|-
! [[2004–05 Oddset Ligaen season|2004–05]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aab Ishockey]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Nordsjælland Cobras]]
|-
! [[2005–06 Oddset Ligaen season|2005–06]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aab Ishockey]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
|[[Odense Bulldogs]]
|-
! [[2006–07 Oddset Ligaen season|2006–07]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aab Ishockey]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|[[Aalborg Pirates|AaB Ishockey]]
|-
! [[2007–08 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2007–08]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|[[Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]
|-
! [[2008–09 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2008–09]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Rødovre SIK|Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]
|[[Odense Bulldogs]]
|-
! [[2009–10 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2009–10]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates|Aab Ishockey]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|-
! [[2010–11 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2010–11]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|[[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|-
! [[2011–12 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2011–12]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Odense IK|Odense Bulldogs]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|[[Herning Blue Fox]]
|-
! [[2012–13 AL-Bank Ligaen season|2012–13]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls]]
|[[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|-
! [[2013–14 Metal Ligaen season|2013–14]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Herning Blue Fox]]
|-
! [[2014–15 Metal Ligaen season|2014–15]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Esbjerg IK|Esbjerg Energy]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Herning Blue Fox]]
|-
! [[2015–16 Metal Ligaen season|2015–16]]
| [[Esbjerg Energy]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Odense Bulldogs]]
|-
! [[2016–17 Metal Ligaen season|2016–17]]
| [[Esbjerg Energy]]
| [[Gentofte Stars]]
| [[Frederikshavn IK|Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Seier Capital]]
|-
! [[2017–18 Metal Ligaen season|2017–18]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Nordsjælland Cobras|Rungsted Seier Capital]]
|[[Aalborg Pirates]]
|-
! [[2018–19 Metal Ligaen season|2018–19]]
| [[Rungsted Seier Capital]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|[[Rungsted Seier Capital]]
|-
! [[2019–20 Metal Ligaen season|2019–20]]
| Morale champions - [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| ''Cancelled due to Covid19''
| ''Cancelled due to Covid19''
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks]]
|-
! [[2020–21 Metal Ligaen season|2020–21]]
| [[Rungsted Seier Capital]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| [[Esbjerg Energy]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|-
! [[2021–22 Metal Ligaen season|2021–22]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| [[Rungsted Seier Capital]]
| [[Odense Bulldogs]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
|-
! [[2022–23 Metal Ligaen season|2022–23]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
| [[Herlev Eagles]]
| [[Herning Blue Fox]]
|-
! [[2023-24 Metal Ligaen season|2023–24]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
| [[Esbjerg Energy]]
| [[Aalborg Pirates]]
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]]
|-
|}

===By club===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:10em"|Club
! Winners
! Winning Years
|-
| [[Herning Blue Fox]] (earlier known as Herning IK)
| {{center|16}}
| 1973, 1977, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
|-
| KSF København
| {{center|10}}
| 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1976
|-
| [[SønderjyskE Ishockey]] (earlier known as Vojens IK)
| {{center|10}}
| 1979, 1980, 1982, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024
|-
| [[Esbjerg Energy]] (earlier known as Esbjerg Oilers and Esbjerg IK)
| {{center|7}}
| 1969, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2004, 2016, 2017
|-
| [[Rødovre Mighty Bulls]] (earlier known as Rødovre SIK)
| {{center|6}}
| 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1999
|-
| [[Gladsaxe SF]]
| {{center|5}}
| 1967, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975
|-
| [[Rungsted Seier Capital]] (earlier known as Rungsted IK and Rungsted Cobras)
| {{center|5}}
| 1955, 1963, 2002, 2019, 2021
|-
| [[Aalborg Pirates]] (earlier known as AAB Ishockey, Aalborg IK and AaB Ishockey)
| {{center|4}}
| 1981, 2018, 2022, 2023
|-
| [[Frederikshavn White Hawks]] (earlier known as Frederikshavn IK)
| {{center|2}}
| 1989, 2000
|-
| [[Herlev Hornets]] (earlier known as Herlev IK)
| {{center|1}}
| 1984
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.metalligaen.dk League website]

{{Oddset Ligaen}}
{{Top sport leagues in Denmark}}
{{Ice Hockey Leagues}}

[[Category:Metal Ligaen| ]]
[[Category:Professional ice hockey leagues in Denmark]]
[[Category:Top-tier ice hockey leagues in Europe]]