Mini ice hockey league plans scrapped by EIHL

Whilst Fife Flyers had already confirmed that they wouldn’t participate, the five EIHL clubs south of the border had hoped to put together a post-Christmas mini-league and had applied for £4 million, ringfenced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Sport England.

But those plans have been scrapped after an EIHL spokesman said the Government's Winter Survival package for ice hockey as it stands would “threaten it’s very future”.

The spokesman said “[The package] was to begin season 2020/21 with no fans and government support only in the form of loans.

“To start on that basis would threaten the very future of professional ice hockey in the United Kingdom.

“We are delighted with the support that has been afforded to Belfast, Cardiff, Dundee, Fife and Glasgow by Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Wales and Sport Scotland respectively, which is focused on helping them survive this very difficult period, during which no Elite League games have been played since March 2020.

“The five English Elite League teams look forward to continuing their dialogue with Sport England ."

He added: “The Elite League's focus is to ensure the successful launch of season 2021/22, currently scheduled to begin in September, building on the record attendances of season 2019/20 and cementing our position as the #1 attended indoor team sport in the United Kingdom.”