Slovak Extraliga (Slovenská Extraliga) is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe and in 2012 it was ranked by The Hockey News as the sixth strongest league in the world behind the NHL, KHL, Elitserien, SM-liga and Czech Extraliga. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name changed to West Extraliga until the end of 2000/01 season. In 2001/02 its name was Boss Extraliga. Since 2002/03 season to 2004/05 the name changed to ST Extraliga and in 2005/06 to T-Com Extraliga. From January 16, 2007 the name changed to Slovnaft Extraliga when a general sponsor agreement with Slovnaft was signed,and from 2011-12 season is called Tipsport extraliga and Slovnaft-Play-Off .
The Slovak Extraliga is rooted in the Czechoslovak Extraliga. The 1993/94 was the first season of Slovak Extraliga as Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993.
Read more about Slovak Extraliga: Clubs, Names and Sponsorship, Champions, See Also