The Sektion Eis- und Rollhockey, which later became a section of the DELV, was admitted into the International Ice Hockey Federation on June 9, 1954. The East German national team had made its international debut back in 1951. The DELV was created on August 31, 1958, and incorporated the former hockey section into its association. In addition to the national team, the association also administrated the East German national leagues. They oversaw the reduction of the DDR-Oberliga to two teams and the dissolution of the lower-level leagues in 1970.