UK ice hockey’s governing bodies have reinforced their commitment to holding a meeting next week regarding a proposed new tier two league.

A statement released on numerous club websites earlier today said that eight EPL clubs had made a unanimous decision that “no member club will participate or attend the meeting on the 25th January 2017 convened by IHUK” to discuss the proposals.

IHUK, the EIHA and the SIH have now issued a strongly-worded statement emphasising the importance of the meeting for the future of the sport in this country.

“IHUK, EIHA and SIH acknowledge that the EPL clubs discussed the current proposals at a recent club meeting – the results of which appear to suggest a depreciating interest in the proposals developed to date,” the statement read.

“However, we believe that change is critical at this level and IHUK, EIHA and SIH have responsibility to develop a fit-for-purpose tier two model that is financially sustainable and provides equity of opportunity through a UK-wide conference model, with a focus on promoting increased opportunities for our talented British athletes to gain ice time at an appropriate competitive level.”

“We are keen to understand areas of concern and to work together to address issues to a positive conclusion. The meeting scheduled for Wednesday 25th January will therefore go ahead as planned.

“The expertise and support of all member clubs is critical in influencing the changes proposed and we sincerely hope that all clubs, who have an interest and desired involvement at the tier two level from next season and beyond, will attend in order to contribute and shape change.”

(Image permission: Steve Bird)