East Germany

East Germany, or the German Democratic Republic (GDR or, in German, DDR) was formed in the eastern part of present-day Germany in 1949. It consisted of the area that had been occupied by the Soviet army after World War II. In 1990 the country reunified with West Germany.

History of hockey in East Germany
The East German Ice Hockey Federation was founded in 1949, and five years later, on June 9, 1954, the country joined the IIHF. After the reunification of Germany, the East German Ice Hockey Federation ceased to exist.

The first national championship in East Germany was the Ostzonenmeisterschaft, which was held in 1949. In 1950, the Oberliga was first contested. Prior to the 1970-71 season, there were eight teams participating in the Oberliga, and multiple lower level leagues. All that changed, however, as the East German politicians decided that hockey was "no longer worth supporting" as the national team did not get enough medals in international play. The lower level leagues were shuttered, and the Oberliga was reduced to two teams, which it would have until it folded in 1990. Some teams kicked out of the Oberliga and the lower level leagues formed the DDR-Bestenermittlungen, an unofficial competition. The two teams that survived were SG Dynamo Weißwasser and SC Dynamo Berlin. Weißwasser won the East German championship 25 times, but only eight times after the league was reduced in size. SC Dynamo Berlin was East German champions 15 times, including 12 times after the reduction of teams in the Oberliga.

The men's national team made its international debut in 1951, playing a friendly game against the Soviet Union, which they lost 23-2. They made their debut in the World Championships in 1956, winning the B Pool and earning a promotion to the top division for 1957. They played in the top division 12 times, but never finished better than sixth. In 1966, they won the bronze medal at the European Championship, the only medal they managed to win during their history. Their only appearance at the Olympics was in Grenoble in 1968, where they finished in eighth place. The team folded in 1990 just before the German reunification.

The junior national team participated in the IIHF European U18 Championships in 1967 (unofficial), 1968, and 1990. In 1990, they won the C Pool by defeating Hungary, Great Britain, and Bulgaria. The team was promoted to Pool B for 1991, but the country ceased to exist by that time.