The 1996-97 English League season was the first season of the league. 20 teams participated in the league, and the Wightlink Raiders won the championship.
North Conference
Regular season
| Pl. |
Team |
GP |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Pts
|
| 1 |
Kingston Jets 2 |
14 |
11 |
2 |
1 |
118: 56 |
24
|
| 2 |
Altrincham Aces |
14 |
11 |
2 |
1 |
125: 44 |
24
|
| 3 |
Billingham Bombers |
14 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
168: 53 |
22
|
| 4 |
Solihull Barons II |
14 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
56:105 |
13
|
| 5 |
Sunderland Chiefs |
14 |
6 |
0 |
8 |
79: 76 |
12
|
| 6 |
Sheffield Spartans II |
14 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
73: 94 |
10
|
| 7 |
Bradford Bulldogs |
14 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
69:111 |
6
|
| 8 |
Blackburn Hawks |
14 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
22:171 |
1
|
The Solihull Barons had qualified for the playoffs but were unable to participate due to a lack of available ice, so the Sunderland Chiefs took their place.
Playoffs
| Pl. |
Team |
GP |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Pts
|
| 1 |
Billingham Bombers |
6 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
41:18 |
10
|
| 2 |
Altrincham Aces |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
43:33 |
8
|
| 3 |
Sunderland Chiefs |
6 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
29:42 |
4
|
| 4 |
Kingston Jets II |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
22:42 |
2
|
South Conference
Regular season
| Pl. |
Team |
GP |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Pts
|
| 1 |
Romford Raiders |
22 |
20 |
1 |
1 |
192: 46 |
41
|
| 2 |
Chelmsford Chieftains |
22 |
18 |
1 |
3 |
175: 51 |
37
|
| 3 |
Stevenage Oilers |
22 |
16 |
1 |
5 |
155: 78 |
33
|
| 4 |
Wightlink Raiders |
22 |
16 |
1 |
5 |
230: 65 |
33
|
| 5 |
Peterborough Islanders II |
22 |
12 |
2 |
8 |
118:159 |
26
|
| 6 |
Oxford City Stars |
22 |
10 |
0 |
12 |
174:114 |
20
|
| 7 |
Haringey Racers |
22 |
8 |
1 |
13 |
107:160 |
17
|
| 8 |
Cardiff Devils II |
22 |
7 |
2 |
13 |
109:150 |
16
|
| 9 |
Slough Jets II |
22 |
6 |
2 |
14 |
85:191 |
14
|
| 10 |
Solent Devils |
22 |
6 |
0 |
16 |
81:186 |
12
|
| 11 |
Bracknell Hornets II |
22 |
4 |
2 |
16 |
75:189 |
10
|
| 12 |
Basingstoke Buffalo II |
22 |
2 |
1 |
19 |
70:182 |
5
|
Playoffs
| Pl. |
Team |
GP |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Pts
|
| 1 |
Wightlink Raiders |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
42:11 |
8
|
| 2 |
Chelmsford Chieftains |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
21:24 |
8
|
| 3 |
Romford Raiders |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
17:16 |
6
|
| 4 |
Stevenage Oilers |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
17:36 |
2
|
Final round
| Semifinals
|
| Billingham Bombers |
– |
Chelmsford Chieftains |
6:5 |
3:5
|
| Wightlink Raiders |
– |
Altrincham Aces |
18:5 |
7:4
|
| Final
|
| Wightlink Raiders |
– |
Chelmsford Chieftains |
5:2 |
5:4
|
External links