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{{Infobox sports league
| title = English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL)
| current_season = 2015–16 EPIHL Season
| logo = EPL Logo.gif
| pixels = 150px
| sport = Ice hockey
| founded = 1998
| inaugural = 1998-99
| ceo = Ken Taggart <ref name="contacts">http://www.eiha.co.uk/MainIndex/ContactsWhosWho.aspx</ref>
| headquarters = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, [[England]]<ref name="contacts"/>
| teams = 10
| country = [[England]] (10 teams)
| continent = Europe
| champion = League:[[Basingstoke Bison]] (1st title)<ref name="prospects">http://www.eliteprospects.com/league_home.php?leagueid=193</ref> <br> Playoffs: [[Guildford Flames]] <br> Cup: [[Guildford Flames]]
| most_champs = League: [[Guildford Flames]] [4]| TV = 
| website = [http://www.eiha.co.uk/Leagues/EnglishPremier.aspx EIHA.com/EPIHL]
}}
The '''English Premier Ice Hockey League''' ('''EPIHL''') is a developmental ice hockey league of 10 teams, all of which are based in [[England]]. Headquartered in Blackpool, the EPIHL is secondary professional ice hockey league in [[Great Britain]] (after the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]]).

The league was founded in 1998, where it initially served as the effective 3rd tier of the game, offering a level of play above the import free English leagues, but below the 8 import [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]] (BNL). Since 2005, when the BNL disbanded, the EPIHL has functioned as the second tier; in fact, many previous BNL teams now play in the EPIHL.

==Organizational structure==
The league is ruled and governed by the [[English Ice Hockey Association]].<ref>http://www.eiha.co.uk/EIHA/WhosWho/tabid/164/Default.aspx</ref> The current chairman of the EPIHL is Ken Taggart. The team owners meet regularly to discuss league matters under the auspices of the league chairman, and take a democratic vote on all decisions.

===Executives===
*Chairman: Ken Taggart
*Chief Referee: Mohammad Ashraff
*Administrator: Mary Faunt
*Fixtures Secretary: Andy French
*Teams Owners Rep: Harry Howton
*Statistician: Malcolm Preen
*Registrations: Liz Moralee

==Game==
Each English Premier Ice Hockey League regulation game is played between two teams and is 60 minutes long. The game is composed of three 20-minute periods with an intermission of 12½ minutes between periods. At the end of the 60-minute regulation time, the team with the most goals wins the game.

Previously, if a game was tied it would end a draw, but in the 2008-09 season, the rule was changed to; if a game is tied after regulation time, overtime ensues. Overtime is a five-minute, four-player on four-player sudden-death period, in which the first team to score a goal wins the game. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the game enters a shootout. Five players for each team in turn take a penalty shot. The team with the most goals at the end of the five-round shootout wins the game. If the game is still tied after the five shootout rounds, the shootout continues but becomes sudden death. Whichever team ultimately wins the shootout is awarded a goal in the game score and thus awarded two points in the standings. The losing team in overtime or shootout is awarded only one.

==Rules==
While the English Premier Ice Hockey League follows the rules of ice hockey that are used in international games organised by the [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) such as the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]], the league does however operate under a number of restrictions, allowing it to classify itself as a 'developmental league'.

The main restriction placed on the member clubs is a limit of 4 non EIHA trained, EU passport holding 'import' players dressed per game. Further to this, only 3 of these players may be on the ice simultaneously, with certain exceptions.<ref>{{cite web|title=EIHA Player Eligibility Rules|url=http://www.eiha.co.uk/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WKJSsNSIvow%3d&tabid=113}}</ref> The EU passport requirement is not enforced by the EPIHL per se, rather it is a product of the fact that the UK Border Agency only grants work permits to non-EU players who wish to sign for teams in the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]]. Despite the 4 imports dressed rule, it is not uncommon for some teams to sign a 5th import as 'backup' in case of injuries to an 'active' import.

The league has no wage limitations, although it is generally accepted that due to the import restriction, wage bills are lower than teams in the EIHL. Despite the lower wages paid, the league still suffers from teams folding, or quitting the league due to financial problems.<ref>http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/ice-hockey/raiders-future-still-in-the-balance-25947.aspx</ref><ref>http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/ice-hockey/raiders-exit-from-premier-league-26014.aspx</ref>

==Season structure==
The English Premier Ice Hockey League season runs from the first week in September through late March. During the regular season, clubs play each other in a predefined schedule.

In the regular season, each team plays 54 games, 6 against each team. These are split evenly between Home and Away fixtures.

The EPIHL's regular season standings are based on a point system instead of winning percentages. Points are awarded for each game, where two points are awarded for a win, one point for losing in [[Overtime (hockey)|overtime]] or a shootout, and zero points for a loss in regulation. At the end of the regular season, the team that finishes with the most points is crowned the league champion.

==List of teams==

===Current Teams===
{| class="navbox wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:left"
! style="background:white; width:17%" | Team
! style="background:white; width:15%" | City/Area
! style="background:white; width:23%" | Arena
! style="background:white; width:5%" | Founded
! style="background:white; width:5%" | Joined
|-
| '''[[Basingstoke Bison]]'''
| Basingstoke, Hampshire
| Planet Ice Silverdome Arena
| align=center | 1988
| align=center | 2009
|-
| '''[[Bracknell Bees]]'''
| Bracknell, Berkshire
| John Nike Leisuresport Complex
| align=center | 1987
| align=center | 2005
|-
| '''[[Guildford Flames]]'''
| Guildford, Surrey
| Guildford Spectrum
| align=center | 1992
| align=center | 2005
|-
| [[Hull Pirates]]
| Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
| Hull Arena
| 3750
| align=center | 2015
| align=center | 2015
| 2015-present
| Dominc Osman ([[Player-coach|P/C]])
| Warren Tait {{flagicon|England}}
|-
| '''[[Manchester Phoenix]]'''
| Manchester, Greater Manchester
| Altrincham Ice Dome
| align=center | 2003
| align=center | 2009
|-
| '''[[Milton Keynes Lightning]]'''
| Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| Planet Ice Milton Keynes
| colspan=2 align=center | 2002
|-
| '''[[Peterborough Phantoms]]'''
| Peterborough, [ambridgeshire
| Planet Ice Peterborough
| colspan=2 align=center | 2002
|-
| '''[[Sheffield Steeldogs]]'''
| Sheffield, South Yorkshire
| IceSheffield
| colspan=2 align=center | 2010
|-
| '''[[Swindon Wildcats]]'''
| Swindon, Wiltshire
| Link Centre
| align=center | 1986
| align=center | 2005
|-
| '''[[Telford Tigers]]'''
| Telford, Shropshire
| Telford Ice Rink
| align=center | 1985
| align=center | 2005
|}

; Notes

<div class="references-small">
# ''Although the Telford Tigers joined the league in 2005. They did not play in the 2009–10 season due to financial issues.''
</div>

=== Previous teams ===
{| class="navbox wikitable" style="width:80%; text-align:left"
! style="background:white; width:17%" | Team
! style="background:white; width:25%" | City/Area
! style="background:white; width:5%" | Founded
! style="background:white; width:5%" | Joined
! style="background:white; width:5%" | Left
! style="background:white; width:23%" | Reason
|-
| '''[[Blackburn Hawks]]'''
| Blackburn, Lancashire
| align=center | 1992
| align=center | 1998
| align=center | 1999
|
|-
| '''[[Chelmsford Chieftains]]'''
| Chelmsford, Essex
| align=center | 1987
| align=center | 1998<br />2002
| align=center | 2001<br />2008
|
|-
| '''[[Haringey Greyhounds]]'''
| Haringay, Greater London
| align=center | 1990
| align=center | 2000
| align=center | 2001
|
|-
| '''[[Hull Stingrays]]'''
| Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
| align=center | 2003
| align=center | 2005
| align=center | 2006
| Economical gain enabled them to join the [[Elite Ice Hockey League|EIHA]].
|-
| '''[[Invicta Dynamos]]'''
| Gillingham, Kent
| align=center | 1997
| align=center | 1997
| align=center | 2003
| Lack of sponsorship.
|-
| '''[[Milton Keynes Kings]]'''
| Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| align=center | 1995
| align=center | 1998
| align=center | 1999
|
|-
| '''[[Nottingham Lions]]'''
| Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
| align=center | 1998
| align=center | 2000
| align=center | 2003
|
|-
| '''[[Romford Raiders]]'''
| Romford, Greater London
| align=center | 1987
| align=center | 1998
| align=center | 2010
|
|-
| '''[[Solihull Barons]]'''
| Solihull, West Midlands
| align=center | 1972
| align=center | 2005
| align=center | 2007
|
|-
| '''Sunderland Chiefs'''
| Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
| align=center | 1986
| align=center | 1997
| align=center | 1998
|
|-
| '''[[Whitley Warriors]]'''
| Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
| align=center | 1955
| align=center | 1997
| align=center | 1998
|
|-
| '''[[Wightlink Raiders]]'''
| Ryde, Isle of Wight
| align=center | 1991
| align=center | 1997
| align=center | 2009
|-
| [[Slough Jets]]
| Slough, Berkshire
| align=center | 1986
| align=center | 2005
| align=center | 2014
|
|}

==League Champions==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%"
! Season
! League
! Play-offs
! EPL Cup
! Knockout Cup
! British Challenge Cup
|-
! 1998–99
| [[Solihull Barons]]
| [[Solihull Barons]]
| [[Milton Keynes Kings]]
| —
| —
|-
! 1999–00
| [[Chelmsford Chieftains]]
| [[Chelmsford Chieftains]]
| —
| —
| —
|-
! 2000–01
| [[Swindon Wildcats]]
| [[Romford Raiders]]
| [[Wightlink Raiders]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2001–02
| [[Invicta Dynamos]]
| [[Invicta Dynamos]]
| [[Romford Raiders]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2002–03
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Wightlink Raiders]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2003–04
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2004–05
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Romford Raiders]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2005–06
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Bracknell Bees]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2006–07
| [[Bracknell Bees]]
| [[Bracknell Bees]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2007–08
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Slough Jets]]
| [[Bracknell Bees]]
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| —
|-
! 2008–09
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2009–10
| [[Milton Keynes Lightning]]
| [[Slough Jets]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2010–11
| [[Manchester Phoenix]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Slough Jets]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2011–12
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Slough Jets]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2012–13
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Manchester Phoenix]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2013–14
| [[Manchester Phoenix]]
| [[Basingstoke Bison]]
| [[Basingstoke Bison]]
| —
| —
|-
! 2014–15
| [[Telford Tigers]]
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| —
| —
| [[Telford Tigers]]
|-
! 2015-16
| [[Basingstoke Bison]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| [[Guildford Flames]]
| —
| —
|}

===Most titles===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center;"
!Team    
!League
!Play-offs
!EPL Cup
!Total
|-
|align="left"| Guildford Flames
| 4
| 2
| 5
| 11
|-
|align="left"| Milton Keynes Lightning
| 3
| 4
| 0
| 7
|-
|align="left"| Peterborough Phantoms
| 2
| 2
| 2
| 6
|-
|align="left"| Solihull Blaze
| 2
| 2
| 0
| 4
|-
|align="left"| Bracknell Bees
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 4
|-
|align="left"| Slough Jets
| 0
| 3
| 1
| 4
|-
|align="left"| Manchester Phoenix
| 2
| 1
| 0
| 3
|-
|align="left"| London Raiders
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 3
|-
|align="left"| Basingstoke Bison
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 3
|-
|align="left"| Chelmsford Chieftains
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 2
|-
|align="left"| Invicta Dynamos
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 2
|-
|align="left"| Telford Tigers
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 2
|-
|align="left"| Swindon Wildcats
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
|align="left"| Milton Keynes Kings
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
|align="left"| Wightlink Raiders
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
|}

== External links ==
* [http://www.eiha.co.uk/Leagues/EPIHL/tabid/113/Default.aspx EPIHL Official Website]
* [http://www.eplicehockey.net/ Unofficial EPIHL website & Forum]

== Notes ==
<references />

{{EPIHL seasons}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Ice hockey leagues]]