Three clubs to the EIHL

[King Rich]

It has been confirmed that the Newcastle Vipers, Edinburgh Capitals and Dundee Stars have applied to join the Elite League next season.

This leaves the BNL with four teams. Do you think they will disappear (not likely), join the EIHL, join the EPL or incorporate some lower-league teams into the BNL?

[Steph Cowley]

WOO HOO
MORE SHUGGY!!! ;D (if he stays at Vipers)



I think they will incorporate some lower-league teams into the BNL

[al]

question is will we have a single larger league or a regionalised north/south divide side by side conference?

[Claret & Blue Army]

Looks like Bracknell want to join the party as well.

I would suggest a div 1 and div 2 with cross division games being similar to the cross league ones at the moment. 3 times home and away against your own and once home and away against the other
Assuming the names thrown in (Plus Manchester) all join that will give us 12 teams

Div 1
Blaze (Obviously)
Devils
Steelers
Panthers
Giants
Phoenix

Div 2
Bees
Vipers
Stars
Capitals
Racers
Bison

[JP]

King said:

It has been confirmed that the Newcastle Vipers, Edinburgh Capitals and Dundee Stars have applied to join the Elite League next season.

They've applied, that doesn't mean it's going to happen

None of the above teams could be in the EIHL next season, with the information we have right now.

[Claret & Blue Army]

If (And it's a big if) the four current BNLers are accepted I would expect to see Hull either welcomed into the fold or drop to EPL level.
That would leave the old powers of the BNL on the outside looking in. There would be some resistance to these two from certain parties

[JP]

Here's the details:

Clubs Apply to Join The Elite League.


During recent weeks and months, rumours have been circulating about clubs from the British National League potentially applying to join the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

Following Tuesday’s Elite League board meeting chairman Eamon Convery confirmed that he had been approached a few weeks ago by a number of clubs wishing to apply to join the league at the end of the current season in April 2005.

He also advised that representatives from the Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Newcastle Vipers attended the board meeting as part of the application process. “The discussions yesterday were very open and constructive,” he commented. “Although there are a number of procedural matters to be finalised it was the unanimous decision of the directors present, in principle, to welcome the clubs as members”.

The next EIHL board meeting is scheduled to be held in early January by which time it is hoped that the application process will be completed and confirmation can made about the admission of the clubs.

Convery reported that, “With the projected return to play of the Manchester Phoenix in a new facility for 2005, the league will have a minimum of 10 teams and this will encompass representation from all the four of the home nations.”

[Claret & Blue Army]

Could be Dundee/Edinburgh for the next Scottish weekend then. What time will that start at I wonder?