|
|
Post by icebandit on Apr 4, 2010 21:25:15 GMT
Hi
Just been doing the rounds on some other UK hockey forums and read a bit from the NE ice hockey forum about one or two more teams may be interested in joining the EIHL.
It seems this was mentioned at the Vipers Fan Forum meeting with their General Manager JL.
I think it was a recent meeting too. Don't if its too late to add any more teams now anyway.
Nice to read about they want more team players interacting with the fans, even though it may be a bit of PR and wishful thinking.
Does this happen at Panthers much ?.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by bill238 on Apr 4, 2010 21:58:57 GMT
the answer is yes. I will be extremely surprised if we dont have more than 9 teams next year  |
|
NP
Lorne Smith
Posts: 706
|
Post by NP on Apr 4, 2010 22:10:26 GMT
who is interested in joining the elite league?
|
|
|
|
Post by StolenAngelSlice on Apr 4, 2010 22:14:47 GMT
Watched a documentary on the Durham Wasps and how they are trying to resurrect their status in British ice hockey, could be them?!
|
|
LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
Posts: 1,819
|
Post by LUFC on Apr 4, 2010 23:30:21 GMT
More likely to be Milton Keynes seen as they have/had a member on the Elite league board and have held a franchise license since the Elite league was formed.
I believe they are wanting a new rink before joining, but they do have a rink that could be used should they want to step up.
Leeds Lasers frnchise is out and about, once Leeds City Arena is built, who knows. but thats a distant thing. Would be good for Hull and Shuf having a Leeds team to play against for a mini Yorkshire rivalry between them
|
|
warx
Robert Lachowicz
"Fear the Beard"
Posts: 521
|
Post by warx on Apr 4, 2010 23:49:01 GMT
The plans for the Leeds arena are all wrong though for sports events. It is one of those arenas which has a stage and then the seats facing in, not like the NIC, sheff arena or the O.
Check them out online if you don't understand how I've put it.
|
|
chrisb
Jade Galbraith
Posts: 99
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 4, 2010 23:53:48 GMT
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC I read somewhere that MK's option to join the EIHL has expired?
To be honest I'm not sure that at this moment in time they would want to move anyway - the setup in the EPL is a pretty good one for them, lots of local rivalries and a team that's developing into a bit of a powerhouse.
Leeds is probably still an option, but the plans for the city centre arena have it set up more like a giant theatre rather than a bowl shape like the NIC - so it's more designed for concerts than sport. Whether the ice rink next to Elland Road that was mooted will ever get the go-ahead, I'm not sure; I agree with LUFC though, it could be a really good market for hockey to eventually expand into.
For the EIHL right now, I reckon the best announcement they could make would not be another new team, but that the Vipers have managed to get permission for a new rink in Newcastle. For the long-term stability of the franchise that's what they need, not more seasons at Whitley Bay.
|
|
LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
Posts: 1,819
|
Post by LUFC on Apr 5, 2010 0:04:42 GMT
A returning Manchester team would be nice  Bah just looked at the plans. Thats a shame they have gone that way, but i guess there is more money in performances, plays and concerts than sport at an arena nowadays  |
|
chrisb
Jade Galbraith
Posts: 99
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 5, 2010 0:42:45 GMT
In many ways it would be nice - the EPL has been pretty good fun this year, and personally I didn't notice the drop in standard anywhere near as much as some feared we would, but there are times (sat at Peterborough on a Thursday night in December springs to mind) when you can't help but miss the feeling of a big game against Notts or Shuff.
We've not done too badly though - from what I'm told sponsorship is up and the crowds are slowly growing, we came third in the league and as I write this Joe Graham (he of Panthers fame) has scored the GWG to get us to the playoff finals in Coventry.
For the franchise as a whole, I believe it was the right move. As for being back in the top flight, I can't see it being for a few years yet - very possibly not until we're in the new rink. Never say never though.... ;D
Back on topic, The Inferno suggests that Dundee are the potentially interested party for the EIHL - seems a bit odd in that IIRC both Fife and themselves were reported to have said no initially, but maybe the allure of games against Braehead as well as the Caps has swayed it for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by bill238 on Apr 5, 2010 9:21:22 GMT
Everyone you are looking at the wrong Leeds arena. That big arena is not the one that will be used for ice hockey. Leeds are having a 3,000 capacity purpose built ice rink next to Elland Road which is totally seperate to the Leeds arena.
|
|
Helen B
Terry Kurtenbach
you know how much I love you guys
Posts: 2,841
|
Post by Helen B on Apr 5, 2010 9:39:10 GMT
Everyone you are looking at the wrong Leeds arena. That big arena is not the one that will be used for ice hockey. Leeds are having a 3,000 capacity purpose built ice rink next to Elland Road which is totally seperate to the Leeds arena. Ok, was not aware that was happening, so just did a google, and found this: www.iceskating.org.uk/node/3196If thats right, then it's not big enough for EIHL. |
|
Milkman™
Les Strongman
Always Delivers
Posts: 5,300
|
Post by Milkman™ on Apr 5, 2010 10:54:34 GMT
Are we all forgetting the best arena in the country?
Liverpool.
FWIW in my opinion the Leeds boat has been well and truly missed, the tie ins with the Rhinos could and should have been made years ago, their average attendance is 17k and its very family orientated.
|
|
|
|
Post by bill238 on Apr 5, 2010 11:12:31 GMT
Everyone you are looking at the wrong Leeds arena. That big arena is not the one that will be used for ice hockey. Leeds are having a 3,000 capacity purpose built ice rink next to Elland Road which is totally seperate to the Leeds arena. Ok, was not aware that was happening, so just did a google, and found this: www.iceskating.org.uk/node/3196If thats right, then it's not big enough for EIHL. Its says 1000+ so hopefully it will be at least a couple of thousand. Also if you can sell say 1000-1200 tickets every game then you can easily be an elite league side |
|
|
|
Post by panthersdave on Apr 5, 2010 14:26:30 GMT
Hasnt the league and cup/playoffs format already been agreed for next season? I know this league has a habit of changing things at a moments notice but I would be surprised if we had more than 9 teams next year.
As was posted above I think the league should concentrate on keeping its current members financially sound and helping Braehead settle in properly. One team at a time I think is best.
|
|
gunn70
Jade Galbraith
Posts: 174
|
Post by gunn70 on Apr 5, 2010 14:35:28 GMT
The league was agreed last year and then Basingstoke and Manchester dropped out.
Agreed that the teams need to be financially sound and the league should go on a marketing project to help the lesser teams fill there rinks so they don't panic at christmas because the cash is running out.
|
|
|
|
Post by panthersdave on Apr 5, 2010 15:35:44 GMT
The league was agreed last year and then Basingstoke and Manchester dropped out. Agreed that the teams need to be financially sound and the league should go on a marketing project to help the lesser teams fill there rinks so they don't panic at christmas because the cash is running out. I know what youre saying but I think teams dropping out is totally different to teams joining. Phoenix and Bison dropping out was beyond the leagues control. Also I wonder if the phoenix out, in, out again fiasco has burnt their bridges a bit with the Elite League? |
|
|
|
Post by pantherdman on Apr 5, 2010 16:31:42 GMT
I wish they would spend money on a rule book and work to improve the officials before they start adding new teams.
|
|
|
|
Post by panthersdave on Apr 5, 2010 16:43:55 GMT
I wish they would spend money on a rule book and work to improve the officials before they start adding new teams. According to Ice Hockey Uk we in the elite league are governed by the IIHF rules. The elite league doesnt recognise Ice hockey Uk as its governing body. So for elite league rules see IIHF rules. Simple. |
|
|
|
Post by pantherdman on Apr 5, 2010 16:48:57 GMT
But what about when they suddenly change the rules as they go along?
wage cap, player suspensions, amount of overtime, use video reviews.
|
|
|
|
Post by panthersdave on Apr 5, 2010 16:53:54 GMT
But what about when they suddenly change the rules as they go along? wage cap, player suspensions, amount of overtime, use video reviews. these decisions are made by the league owners during the season. I guess there is no point in publishing these changes as they would need new documents written every 5 minutes. Player suspensions are done by a disciplinary meeting in accordance with the IIHF rulebook I assume. I dont claim to have read that particular document in great depth. My point is we use IIHF as the guidelines, further decisions are made about wage caps and competition formats as and when the owners choose |
|
|
|
Post by Alf Garnett on Apr 5, 2010 19:03:30 GMT
Fife Flyers would be a good addition. A long standing team which has a history of supporting hockey until the demise of the BNL and ended up in a mediocre Scottish league.
It will never happen with the current owner though.
|
|
|
|
Post by NickThePanther44 on Apr 5, 2010 19:45:37 GMT
Dundee Stars for me
The possibilty of a rink in Leeds is interesting, I assumed a team was dead when I saw the arena plans. A rink of even 1500 could support an EIHL team, if you ram that rink full of fans each week and get a decent set of sponsors on board you could still afford a very competitive team at EIHL level. I'd even go as far as saying a team out of a 100 seat rink could sustain EIHL membership and compete quite comfortably, although not ideal it would certainly be possible imo.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alf Garnett on Apr 5, 2010 19:50:42 GMT
Dundee would also be a good call
As an aside half of the Scottish U-19 team in the Sunday game were affiliated to Dundee so there is already a junior development set up there. The #5 (Dunn) and the guy who scored for them (can't remember his name but wore #12) both were Dundee players and were the pick of their team IMHO.
|
|
|
|
Post by NickThePanther44 on Apr 5, 2010 19:53:26 GMT
Dundee would also be a good call As an aside half of the Scottish U-19 team in the Sunday game were affiliated to Dundee so there is already a junior development set up there. The #5 (Dunn) and the guy who scored for them (can't remember his name but wore #12) both were Dundee players and were the pick of their team IMHO. As I'm sure your well aware Alf both Dundee and Fife have solid foundations as far as a "sleeping" fanbase and junior development, both teams would be very beneficial additions to the league although I would imagine they'd need some initial support as they have been playing at a very low level for some time now. |
|
|
|
Post by Alf Garnett on Apr 5, 2010 19:57:51 GMT
Dundee would also be a good call As an aside half of the Scottish U-19 team in the Sunday game were affiliated to Dundee so there is already a junior development set up there. The #5 (Dunn) and the guy who scored for them (can't remember his name but wore #12) both were Dundee players and were the pick of their team IMHO. As I'm sure your well aware Alf both Dundee and Fife have solid foundations as far as a "sleeping" fanbase and junior development, both teams would be very beneficial additions to the league although I would imagine they'd need some initial support as they have been playing at a very low level for some time now. Absolutely BA. Couldn't agree more. When i used to be a casual fan in the 80's Dunde and Fife were 2 of the top teams in the league. |
|
