The British Hockey Thread 2016-17

[Calv]

I think it'll be very interesting to see what happens in a years time, will the new nationwide second tier ever happen?

Almost time to start a new thread

[archibalduk]

I can't see the second tier starting any time soon. This spring/summer would have been the ideal time to figure something out.

You started the new thread on 30 April last year! So we're late! Maybe after the World Championships?!

[Primis]

So all these league acronyms. Can someone clear up up British league heirarchy for an outsider like me? I have no concept of where the various British leagues fall as you guys talk about them.

[Calv]

The 16/17 season it has been:
Tier 1. Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
Tier 2. English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPL or EPIHL)
Tier 3. National Ice Hockey League North & South 1 (NIHLN1 & NIHLS1)
Tier 4. National Ice Hockey League North & South 2 (NIHLN2 & NIHLS2)

NIHLN1/N2/S1/S2 are collectively known as the NIHL.

There is also the Scottish National League(SNL) which contains Scottish teams only (& 1 team in Northern Ireland). Technically I guess this is Tier 2 in Scotland but it is probably closer to NIHL 2 in terms of quality.

EIHL has teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. EPL was only England, NIHL 1 had a Scottish team in it but the vast majority were English.

For the coming season, the EPL is no more and the teams have been accepted into the EIHL and NIHL so the NIHL is becoming the new Tier 2, however the number of imported players is reducing from 5 in the EPL to 2 in the NIHL.

[Calv]

It sounds as though Gui Doucet and Danny Kearney are signing for MK from Cardiff. Doucet is quality if a little small, and scores at over a goal every other game. Kearney was a little quiet during his shirt stint (11 games) at Cardiff as he was a very late signing. I didn't notice him when I saw him but he has put up decent points in EBEL and the Allsvenskan so could be another good signing for MK.

Ben Davies and Kevin Phillips are good starts for the Flames too

[archibalduk]

Yeah not a bad start for Guildford. It's a shame Meyers retired as he would have been a great presence on our back line.

[Calv]

I can't see the second tier starting any time soon. This spring/summer would have been the ideal time to figure something out.

You started the new thread on 30 April last year! So we're late! Maybe after the World Championships?!

Will start it next week probably, after the NIHLN meeting

[Calv]

Statement this evening at 8pm about the NIHL North structure followed by a statement regarding playoffs and rules of competition at a later date.

[Calv]

NIHLN structure announced : http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-1718-season-stru ... ihl-north/

Two leagues of 10,playing each other home and away twice.

Edit: Tigers owners have stepped down... Interesting