NIHL News

NIHL North League Structure Update

After yesterday’s three hour NIHL North section meeting, the EIHA have announced the format for the 2017-18 league campaign, with the applications of former EPL sides Hull Pirates, Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers to the NIHL accepted. Meanwhile, Sutton Sting have requested relegation to the NIHL North’s Laidler Conference, leaving room for Nottingham Lions to be promoted to Division One. 

As a result, NIHL North’s Moralee Conference will be made up of a total of ten teams next season and will continue with the single division format, teams playing each other twice home and away in a thirty six game league season.

NIHL North Division One (Moralee)                                     

Billingham Stars

Blackburn Hawks

The Dragons

Hull Pirates

Nottingham Lions

Sheffield Steeldogs

Solihull Barons

Solway Sharks

Telford

Whitley Warriors

NIHL North Division Two will also be a single division of ten teams after Blackburn and Deeside’s request to ice outfits in the Laidler Conference were accepted. These teams will also play each other twice home and away over a thirty six game league season.

NIHL North Division Two (Laidler)  

Altrincham Aces

Blackburn 2

Bradford Bulldogs

Coventry Blaze

Deeside 2

Hull Jets

Sheffield Senators

Sutton Sting

Telford 2

Widnes Wild

The meeting also agreed that all NIHL North games will go to five minutes of three-on-three overtime in the event of a draw on sixty minutes, and penalty shots if required, with teams now able to ice one import during overtime. The NIHL season will commence on the first weekend of September and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday 7^th - Sunday 8^th April 2018. Discussions around an NIHL North One Cup competition will continue and details of the playoff format for both NIHL North and South are set to be released on Tuesday.  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio after this meeting, Solway Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “I am really happy that the teams have finally agreed this new structure and I think it is a very positive move for everyone. It is going to be an exciting few months as teams look to recruit players and get ready for the league starting. I am sure the quality will again take a step in the right direction and the fans will see some great hockey. It’s great to have the new teams on board and we can now look forward to the season ahead.”

Adding to this, Billingham Stars’ Jack Watkins noted: “I think it’s good for British Ice Hockey that this is happening. I just hope that there isn’t too much of a divide between the top and bottom teams. It will force all teams to take a more professional and structured approach to the upcoming season. I look forward to it!”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Also reacting to the outcome of this meeting, Whitley Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff observed: “I think it’s great for the fans. I expect there will be five teams battling for the top half of the league and I expect the league to be very up and down.”

Further to this, long-serving Warrior DJ Good commented: “My gut reaction is it is good for the league. It will raise the standard and it’s a nice thought to have the Warriors in the second tier. It has the potential so hopefully it will work out and the Warriors can adapt.” 

For more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/.