EIHL teams set deadline for decision on 2020-21 season

A decision on the EIHL 2020-21 ice hockey season will be made within the next fortnight.

All ten clubs took part in a conference call yesterday - as a third team confirmed it had told its players they could move elsewhere in order to get jobs.

The season, which was due to start in September, has been pushed back until December, with growing speculation it won’t even get underway.

The EIHL issued a brief, two-line update following yesterday’s conference call which simply said: “The Elite League's ten member teams had their latest conference call today. The board members agreed that a further update about the 2020/21 season will be made on September 15.”

It comes as senior figures within the sport hint at a possible January/February start date, playing well into next summer.

A steady stream of imports have left the UK to sign for clubs across Europe, while signing announcements have all but dried up after an initial flurry of activity.

Many fans are resigned to the season simply not happening as the sport struggles to remain viable with restricted numbers rinkside, and finding a pathway given its clubs fall under the governance of four devolved administrations in the UK.

Future Local lockdowns also remain a major uncertainty - this week saw Planet Ice close its Altrincham rink, home of Manchester Storm, “until further notice” because of a spike in cases in the Trafford area.

This week saw Glasgow Clan become the third team to publicly confirm it had told its players they were free to pursue opportunities elsewhere if they intended to play in 2020-21.

Fife Flyers hold on for title win in 1992

In his latest update, Gareth Chalmers, chief operating officer, said: “This wasn’t an easy decision as I really like the core that we were building and the calibre of player we had lined up for the new season.

“Ultimately we have to take into account the personal situations of our players and, like everyone else, they need to be given the best opportunity to make a living during these difficult times.”

Chalmers said he still had his fingers crossed for the projected December start, but added: “When you take into account we’re now in September and we’re still dealing with local lockdowns, ice rinks and arenas still not being open – it’s looking increasingly difficult.

“All of the EIHL board of directors have agreed a date of September 15 for a final date on whether we can start in December.”

The COO stressed: “ If a 2020/21 season were not to materialise, the Clan, along with all other nine EIHL clubs, are committed to a 2021/22 season.”

Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm have also told their players - both signed and those due to sign - were free to find other jobs - but there has been little insight from the remaining teams, including Fife Flyers.

The Kirkcaldy side has lost five imports from last season’s roster, and signed only three British players thus far - and it has given no indication of the directors’ thinking regarding a delay beyond December.

Thank you for reading this story on our website. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press