The J18 Elit is the highest level of under-18 ice hockey in Sweden. The league was first played in the 1980 season. Färjestad BK has won the most league titles, with seven.
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The league is divided into four divisions, Norra (North), Södra (South), Västra (West), and Östra (East). These divisions are played from September to December during the year. The five best teams from each division qualify for the Winter series known as J18 Allsvenskan, divided into Norra and Södra, while the remaining teams have to play in a continuation series during Winter for their specific division. These "Winter" series are played between January and March of the following year.
J18 Elit was expected to become the second highest under-18 league as J18 Allsvenskan would have become a new division in the 2012–13 season to be played for the entire season; however, this league restruction has been postponed until the 2013–14 season, and J18 Allsvenskan continues to be a Winter series and part of J18 Elit for at least the 2012–13 season.