The news that three Scottish teams are considering their future in the Elite League has sparked plenty of debate across the sport.
As reported by Fife Today, Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers and Edinburgh Capitals have serious concerns over proposed changes to the running of the league and the conference structure.
Dundee and Fife both issued statements on their official websites saying they would release an update on their plans after the EIHL board meeting at the end of this month.
Our latest Twitter Talk feature looks at the reaction to news:
ICE HOCKEY: @FifeFlyers put EIHL future on hold amid concerns over new structure https://t.co/TQG4HCV1cR
— Matthew Elder (@mattelder_ffp) April 13, 2017
I do wonder exactly what Fife and Dundee want to hear at the EIHL meet. Genuine question.
— We_Are_Steelers (@We_Are_Steelers) April 13, 2017
If Fife & Dundee didn’t want to play in 2 conferences of 6, they shouldn’t have agreed to 2 conferences of 6.
— David Eckles (@onlyeckles) April 13, 2017
@CapsBanterArmy All too predictable, Fife & Dundee issue statements, Tony Smith tries to circle wagons with ‘nothing to see here’. Who’ll blink first?
— G MacD (@Grant774) April 13, 2017
For Dundee and Fife, to be in any other league than the @officialEIHL would be a travesty
— Bryan Towle (@Tenpoint05) April 13, 2017
If EIHL fans want the league to be extended we need them to back Dundee & Fife otherwise the leagues taking a step back.
— Stars (@ComeOnYouStars) April 13, 2017
@hockey_laura @colinkbell63 Teams I’ve heard are Aberdeen, Solway, Whitley Bay, Billingham and 1 other to join Fife, Dundee and Edinburgh in 5 import league 1/2
— bob paterson (@Probie74) April 13, 2017
@sbookkeepings I’d be gutted to see Fife and Dundee out the league if it happens. Don’t think we’d be far behind
— Daryl J Manson (@DarylJManson1) April 13, 2017
Let’s be honest here, if @BraeheadClan weren’t owned by one of the problems, they’d be supporting this aswell.
— TheRea1Gordon (@TheRea1Gordon) April 13, 2017
Got a feeling Scottish clubs looking for 3 conferences of 4 teams. Presumably FF / EC / DS / BC – CB / CD / MK / GF – NP / SS / BG / MS
— Rob Plaister (@DRPLogistics) April 13, 2017
British ice hockey is growing year upon year, more so for the Scottish game. Would be a shame to see 3 of the top scottish teams leave #EIHL
— Ross McNeil (@bxsstherxss) April 13, 2017
Neil Black try getting your head in the real world. End of British Ice Hockey as we know it. 😠😠with his my way or the highway attitude
— Louise Belgrove (@Laze84) April 13, 2017
@BritIceHockey @TomMerriman82 Threatening to pull out to get their own way/more of a say makes other board members think! They’re attempting to hold the league to ransom.
— Michael Hill (@Mike85Hill) April 13, 2017
Bill Elliot
13th April 2017 at 10:16 pm
Think the signal is going out that the Elite League actually needs to consider the future of the game not just at the highest level, but how it will function at the various levels below, rather than simply consider the needs of the teams in the top structure, and leave the rest to look after themselves-is that what we really want, an upper level of maybe 10 teams, mostly (if we’re lucky) made up of players not eligible to play for GB? Let’s not kid ourselves that the Elite League is about the future of British Ice Hockey, it’s about the future of the teams participating in it, and as for the other teams at the other levels, well boys, you’re on your own! There may be around 10/12 teams wanting to participate in the sport at Elite League level, but there’s a helluva lot more who don’t, and their needs are every bit as important!