Ice hockey: Capital hosts talks over new British league

Published on Thursday 5 February 2009 09:08

SECRET talks aimed at forming a new British ice hockey league were held in Edinburgh last night.

Chiefs from north and south of the Border met in the hush-hush discussions at a top Capital hotel.

Bosses of Fife Flyers, Dundee Stars and Solway Sharks, who currently play in the Northern League, were involved but Paisley Pirates, who also play in the Northern League, were missing.

Edinburgh Capitals, Scotland's only representatives in the Elite League, were also excluded.

It is understood that Capitals, who jumped ship three seasons ago to join the Elite League, would have to apply to join if they decided they wanted to turn their back on the Elite League, currently Britain's top division.

Negotiations between the Scottish Ice Hockey Association and their English counterparts have been under way for several months.

The plans would effectively merge the English Premier League with the three Scottish-based Northern League sides.

Initial thoughts are that three imports would be allowed in each team, rising to a maximum of four depending on the success of the league which would be split into a North and South conference.

Other teams who could be involved with the Scots trio in the North Conference could be Elite League duo Newcastle Vipers and Hull Stingrays plus Whitley Warriors, Blackburn Hawks and Sheffield Scimitars.

Meanwhile, city publican Ivan Leader is Edinburgh Capitals new major sponsor – but he has given it away.

The South African-born pub owner, who already sponsors netminder Pasi Raitanen, has forked out for the rest of the season after the first title sponsor dropped out. But the owner of the Castle Arms in Johnston Terrace has enlisted the Help for Heroes charity for the campaign. It is the charity which will be displayed on the Elite League club's jersey and perimeter advertising at Murrayfield.

Leader, who attends all of the Capitals' home games, said: "I have a lot of Army ties and the pub is in the shadow of the Castle. We do get soldiers in here and it is a good link for us."