The German hockey league will resume play next month for the first time since March.
The 2020-21 season will begin on Dec. 17 with the 14 clubs split into a pair of seven-team regional groups and playing fewer games than normal. The playoffs will be best-of-three games rather than best-of-seven.
The start of the new season was delayed twice as clubs faced an uncertain financial future while playing in empty arenas. The league says clubs have received assurances of financial help from German politicians.
The league suspended play last season on March 10 and no champion was named.
