EUHL 2025/2026: A Season That Brought Universities, Countries and Great Hockey Stories Together

The 2025/2026 season of the European University Hockey League (EUHL) brought numerous new developments, exciting games, standout players and a fresh perspective on the development of university hockey in Central Europe. The league moved towards a distinctly international format, with the season culminating in the Sekeráš Trophy tournament in Trenčín in April. And it was there that history was made. Polish side UHT Sabers Oświęcim went through the decisive stage of the season unbeaten and won the Sekeráš Trophy for the first time in the club’s history. Meanwhile, UNI Győr ETO HC dominated the regular season, confirming its consistency and quality throughout the campaign.

A New Format Brought New Energy

From an organisational perspective, the 2025/2026 season was an exceptional one for the EUHL. The league introduced a new international format, bringing together teams from Hungary, Poland and Romania. The main international competition featured UNI Győr ETO HC, DEAC, Sapientia U23, UHT Sabers Oświęcim and Opole United. The season was divided into several tournament stages, with the results gradually shaping the overall standings. The calendar included tournaments such as the Debrecen Cup, Winter Cup, Sekler Cup and Széchenyi Cup, all leading towards the final Sekeras Trophy. The new format also brought greater diversity. Players from different countries, university environments and hockey systems met on the same ice. The EUHL was therefore not only about results, but increasingly about international cooperation, shared experiences and bringing the academic environment closer to sport.

UNI Győr ETO HC – Kings of the Regular Season

If one team stood out as the strongest throughout the regular season, it was UNI Győr ETO HC. The Hungarian side claimed the 2025/2026 EUHL regular-season title. Győr had already shown during the autumn stage that it could be one of the leading contenders for overall success. After the opening rounds, the team had played just one game, but the victory and positive goal difference already indicated its potential. Győr subsequently confirmed its quality throughout the remainder of the season. The team benefited from strong tactical organisation, quick transitions into attack and, above all, impressive offensive production.

Among the team’s standout players were Sebestyén Csata, Bence Dézsi and Barnabás Dézsi, who were among Győr’s leading offensive contributors. Winning the regular season, however, did not ultimately mean lifting the championship trophy. In university hockey, everything is decided during the most important stage of the season. And Győr still had one major test ahead.

Sabers Oświęcim: From Bronze to Historic Gold

The biggest story of the season belonged to UHT Sabers Oświęcim. The Polish team entered the final Sekeráš Trophy tournament with a clear goal – to compete for the most prestigious trophy. And they delivered perfectly.

Sabers defeated:

UHT Sabers Oświęcim – Opole United 7:2

UHT Sabers Oświęcim – UNI Győr ETO HC 3:2

UHT Sabers Oświęcim – Saints Martin 6:1

Three games, three victories and a 16:5 goal difference. The victory over regular-season winners Győr was one of the key moments of the entire tournament. Oświęcim proved that their best form had arrived at exactly the right time. For Sabers, it was a historic achievement. A club that had previously won bronze this time climbed all the way to the top of the EUHL. The Sekeráš Trophy was heading to Poland.

Alexander Sadouski – The Man Who Collected the Points

One of the standout individual performers of the final tournament was Alexander Sadouski of Sabers Oświęcim. Across three games, he recorded 14 points – 4 goals and 10 assists – making him the most productive player of the Sekeráš Trophy. His performance was further proof that Oświęcim’s success was built on more than just team discipline. When it mattered most, the team had players capable of making the difference. His teammate Illia Baida was even more prolific in front of goal, scoring 7 goals to become the tournament’s top scorer.  The combination of Sadouski’s creativity and Baida’s finishing ability was one of the main driving forces behind the championship-winning team.

Opole United – Newcomers Who Made an Immediate Impact

If Oświęcim was the story of the champions, Opole United became the story of the surprise of the season. The Polish team were newcomers to the EUHL, but they certainly did not look like a side that had entered the league simply to gain experience. Opole finished second at the final tournament, earning silver medals. Against experienced university teams, it was an exceptionally valuable achievement. The composition of the team was also noteworthy. According to the EUHL, Opole was made up primarily of American students and brought a different style of play, high tempo and considerable offensive energy to the competition.  The most prominent player for the newcomers was Alexis Toussaint, who was among the most productive players of the season. Opole therefore sent a clear message to the rest of the league: a newcomer does not have to wait several years to become a competitive force.

Győr Third, Saints Martin Fourth

UNI Győr ETO HC finished third in the final tournament. For the regular-season winners, third place may have felt like a slight disappointment, but it also highlighted just how competitive the decisive stage of the season was. Győr lost 2:3 to Sabers but then responded with a 5:2 victory over Saints Martin, delivering a strong performance throughout the tournament. Fourth place went to Saints Martin, who, despite their final position, challenged their opponents in Trenčín and ended the season with an international competition that holds significant value for the continued development of university hockey.

A Season That Took the EUHL Forward

The 2025/2026 season showed that the EUHL has established a strong position on the European university hockey map. It brought new teams, international competition, individual personalities and historic moments. From Győr’s regular-season triumph to Sabers Oświęcim’s historic championship victory, this season once again proved that university hockey is about more than sport – it connects universities, countries and people.

And the next chapter of the EUHL is already beginning to unfold.