IceFans

Bison cancel pre season game

According to team owner:

Hi

I have very reluctantly decided to cancel the exhibition warm-up game scheduled on 31 Aug 2008 against Cardiff Devils.This is bad news for us but I can’t find an alternative way around a very difficult situation.

The reason for cancelling is simply that we won’t be able to get enough of the imports here in time. We, like most of the other teams in the league, are having delays due to the new procedures needed for the work permits/visas and in combination with flights filling up we are struggling to get enough players over here in time. The cost of quick solutions for this would be higher then any potential income from the warm up game so therefore I see no other solution.

I can’t see that it would be a good idea to promote our team using juniors or players from other teams to take part in the warm up game.What we need is our guys here to show what they are made of. This would not be done with some “half way” solution.

We will be ready and in full swing for our first league game (CC Cup) on 6th of September, and I look forward to seeing you all there for that game. Ryan and I are excited about the team we’ve put together and , like you, can’t wait for the season to start. The real stampede begins in September!

Tomas

EIHL to use 4-man system for on ice officials in 08-09.

The EIHL has confirmed that it will be using a 4-man system for its on ice officiating in the forthcoming season.

This system is already in use in the NHL, AHL, and Finnish S-M Liiga, and is the favoured option of the IIHF.

Elite League Director of Hockey Andy French noted, “The use of four officials is now widely used in the top leagues around the world, and we felt the time was right to introduce the system going into the new season. Everyone wants the officiating to continually improve and for our officials to be recognised for international events, the four-man system needed to be adopted sooner rather than later. This is a great move by the league and should benefit the game as a whole.”

Problems in Telford?

Telford Tigers have announced that title sponsors Eurologix have terminated their agreement with immdiate effect.

It is uncertain what this means for the club in terms of recruitment etc for the imminent season. We here at IceFans wish the Tigers nad their fans all the best.

For more details visit: http://www.telfordtigers.co.uk/

New owner for the Giants

The Coors Belfast Giants have today announced that the club is now under the ownership of Tom and Donna Malton, along with existant owner/finacier Jim Gillespie.

Full details can be found on the Giants official website: www.belfastgiants.com

IHUK has a new chairman

Eamon Convrey has taken on the role as chairman of IHUK. Mr Convrey is best known to fans in the UK as the Chairman of the EIHL, and as the man behind the attempts to get an arena/rink built in Dublin to host a team from (the fabled Dublin Druids).

It remains to be seen if his chairing of both IHUK and the EIHL will represent a conflict of interests.

Scims chairman stays.

In a dramatic u-turn, Sheffield Scimitars chairman and main benefactor martin Birch has decided to remain at the club.

The decision was taken to avoid folding the club after a suitable replacement could not be found.

for further information see: here

Blaze Continental Cup group revealed

The Blazes group for the Continental Cup has been revealed at the following link:
HERE

Scims chairman quits

The future of another EPL club has been thrown into doubt, as Martin Birch, the chairman and main funder of the Sheffield Scimitars has today stepped down from his position.

It is anticipated that either Bob Phillips (Sheffield Steelers owner) or SIV (Sheffield International Venues, who operate iceShefield) could step in to take over.

More news when we have it.

Icefans reaches milestone

Within the past month, www.icefans.co.uk has passed the 100,000 visitor mark.

Icefans thanks its viewers, and hopes they will continue to spread the word about the site.

Chelmsford drop out of the EPL

It has been announced that the Chelmsford Chieftains are leaving the EPL, and will play for the forseeable future in the ENL South.

This decision was made due to a lack of available sponsors, leaving the club unable to guarantee a competative team for the forthcoming season.

More details can be found here:
Official Site