2nd Bundesliga The 2nd Eishockey - Bundesliga was the second tier of ice hockey in Germany Until 2013 . It was organised by the " DEB " , the " German Ice Hockey Federation " . In 2013 , it was replaced by the DEL2 . History of the 2nd Ice Hockey Bundesliga . The league was first introduced in the 1973 - 74 season as the second tier of German ice hockey , the level below the " Ice hockey Bundesliga " . From 1994 . The large number of insolvencies of second division clubs in 1994 was the reason for the abolition of the " 2nd Bundesliga " and the introduction of the " Deutsche Eishockey Liga " with 18 teams , without promotion and relegation . A number of top clubs from the second division were admitted to the " DEL " . Below the former " 2nd Bundesliga " , the " Oberliga " now became the highest league still under control of the " DEB " . The " Oberliga " was however renamed " 1st Liga " for the next couple of seasons , until returning to its old name . From 1998 . As the highest single - division for the " DEB " , a new league was formed in 1998 , receiving the name " Bundesliga " . The decision to name the new league " Bundesliga " led to conflicts between the " Deutschen Eishockey - Bund " and the " Deutsche Eishockey Liga " , since the " DEL " was of the opinion that it owned the right to call itselve " Bundesliga " , being the highest league in the country . For this reason , the " DEL " logo also carries the name " 1st Bundesliga " in smaller letters below . Eventually , a compromise was reached , naming the new league " 2nd Bundesliga " instead . From 1999 . Since 1999 , the league became the " 2nd Bundesliga " again , which is organized today by the " Eishockeyspielbetriebsgesellschaft " ( " ESBG " ) . As in the " DEL " , the clubs must undergo a strict financial examination . Despite this fact , some clubs still found themslves in financial difficulties throughout the season and had to withdraw , like the " EC Bad Nauheim " in the past . The " Moskitos Essen " and " Eisbären Regensburg " both declared bankruptcy on 15 April 2008 , being unable to meet their debts . Both clubs were immediately relegated from the " 2nd Bundesliga . " Due to the structure of the " 2nd Bundesliga " , where all teams playing are separate companies operated by the mother club , the insolvency of one of those does not mean the club itselve becomes insolvent . In the 2008 - 09 season , the " Tölzer Löwen " had to declare insolvency and , despite coming second in the league , were relegated . Because the " Füchse Duisburg " had to return their DEL licence , the champion of the 2nd Bundesliga has the option of promotion to the DEL this season . Promotion and relegation . In November 2007 , the " DEL " has introduced promotion to the league once more . The teams placed 15th and 16th in the " DEL " will play a best - of - seven series to determined which club faces the " 2nd Bundesliga " champion for a place in the league . There is however an ongoing dispute about those games as second division clubs can only have five foreign players on contract and therefore face a handicap in comparison to the " DEL " clubs with currently twelve . For now , the " ESBG " has declared that no club from the " 2nd Bundesliga " would take part in these matches and therefore no promotion / relegation with the " DEL " will take place . The two bottom teams in the " 2nd Bundesliga " are relegated to the " Oberliga " and the top - two " Oberliga " teams promoted to this league . See Also . List of 2nd Bundesliga seasons