1996–97 Slovak 1.Liga season

The season 1996/97 was the fourth regular hosting of the first league, the second Slovakian Hockey League. Master was the HKm Zvolen, like the teams of two to four qualified in the squares for the Extraliga relegation. There the HKm Zvolen and HK 36 Skalica prevailed as the sole representative of the 1st League and got into the Extraliga on. The HK VTJ Piešťany dismounted in the second league.

Mode

In the main round each of the twelve teams completed a total of 34 games. The top four teams after the main round qualified for the Extra Liga relegation. The teams ranked 5-12 play in a relegation round in return game the only relegated to the second league among themselves, and the results were taken from the main round. For a win, each team was given two points, a draw there was a point. For one defeat after regulation time gave no points.

Main Round

Sp = Matches, W = Wins, D = drawn, L = Loss, P = Points

Relegation round

Sp = Matches, W = Wins, D = drawn, L = Loss, P = Points