English National Ice Hockey League: Difference between revisions

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| sport = Ice hockey
| sport = Ice hockey
| founded = 1996
| founded = 1996
| teams = 37
| teams = 49
| country = {{GBR}}  
| country = {{GBR}}  
| website = [http://www.eiha.co.uk/Leagues.aspx EIHA Leagues]
| website = [http://www.eiha.co.uk/Leagues.aspx EIHA Leagues]
}}
}}
The '''National Ice Hockey League''' ('''NIHL''') (formerly the ENIHL) is a set amateur ice hockey leagues below the [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]] which is administered by the English Ice Hockey Association. It was announced on May 17, 2012, that as the league now includes several teams from [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]] as well as [[England]], it will be renamed the National Ice Hockey League from season 2012/13.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/SlapshotScotland</ref>
The '''National Ice Hockey League''' ('''NIHL''') is a set of semi-professional [[ice hockey]] leagues administered by the [[English Ice Hockey Association]]. It is currently the second tier of British ice hockey, below the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]]. Formerly called the English National Ice Hockey League (ENIHL), it was renamed in 2012 to recognise the inclusion of several teams from [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]].<ref>http://www.facebook.com/SlapshotScotland</ref>


The league is currently split into two regions, North and South, meaning teams aren't traveling the length of the country for away games. Each region has 2 divisions, with promotion and relegation between the divisions in each region. South Division 2 is further split into western and eastern conferences, with an end of season playoff to find an overall division champion. The North Conference have named their divisions; Moralee Conference (Division 1) and Laidler Conference (Division 2)


==History==
The English Ice Hockey Association announced a new structure of the men's senior league for the 2019/20 season, at a meeting of NIHL clubs in Warwickshire. A new ten-team division was approved to sit above the existing Division 1 in North and South, to be known as the '''National League'''.<ref>[https://eiha.co.uk/nihl-new-structure-for-national-league-agreed-by-clubs-to-start-2019-20-season/]</ref>
The ENIHL was formed in 1996; following the dissolution of the [[British Hockey League]], and the creation of the [[Ice Hockey Superleague]] and the [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]] as the top two tiers of British hockey. The ENIHL served as the third tier of hockey; operating below the BNL. Following its inaugural season an upper tier within the ENIHL was founded, so as to serve as a league for the members of the BNL who couldn't afford to remain in that league due to the increased operating costs; but at the same time played ice hockey to a higher standard that of the other ENIHL teams. This division was originally known as the "national division", and during the 1997–98 season the teams in this division played duel schedules; a series of games solely amongst themselves, and another amongst all of the teams which fell under the jurisdiction of the ENIHL at this time. Solihull Blaze won the league and play-off trophies of both formats during this inaugural season. At the start of the 1998–99 season the divisions, whilst still both under the ENIHL umbrella, performed in their own separate competitions; and the national division adopted the name "premier division", and later on became known as the "premier league". By the end of the season the league had established itself outside of the ENIHL as the [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]]; reducing the ENIHL to the fourth level of Britain's ice hockey pyramid. However, in 2005 the BNL disbanded; leaving the EPIHL to take its place as the second tier of the national game and, consequently, re-establishing the ENIHL as the third tier of British ice hockey.


In April 2007, the EIHA lowered the upper age limit within the junior leagues, abolishing the under 19 age limit to become under 18. Due to the large gap from junior level to the EPIHL, many teams were forced to enter a reserve team into the ENIHL. This increased the size of the league from 22 teams through to 30 teams for the 2007–08 season.
In the inaugural 2019-2020 season the National League will comprise [[Basingstoke Bison]], [[Bracknell Bees]], [[Hull Pirates]], [[Leeds Chiefs]], [[MK Lightning]], [[Peterborough Phantoms]], [[London Raiders]], [[Sheffield Steeldogs]], [[Swindon Wildcats]] and [[Telford Tigers]]. There is no promotion to or relegation from the National League.


Later in the 2007 off-season, the EIHA suggested introducing an under 25 age limit across the league. However, this age limit was removed within weeks in favour of a drive towards developing players. The ENIHL was restructured for the 2008/2009 season into two regional divisions North and South, with two leagues in each regional division. Following the 2012–13 the league was renamed the National Ice Hockey League, removing the words English due to non-English teams participating.
Below the National League, the leagues are split into two regions, North and South, meaning teams do not have to travel long distances for away games. Each region has 2 divisions, with promotion and relegation between the divisions in each region.


In 2013, it was agreed at the EIHA AGM to restructure the Northern league into two conferences; Moralee and Laidler. The split was done primarily on regions and neither conference was regarded as being higher than the other. However, at the following year's AGM, it was agreed to return to a tiered Division 1 and Division 2 format. However, the conference names remained in place with Division 1 taking the Moralee Conference title and Division 2 the Laidler Conference title.
==History==
The ENIHL was formed in 1996; following the dissolution of the [[British Hockey League]] (BHL), and the creation of the [[Ice Hockey Superleague]] and the [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]] (BNL) as the top two tiers of British hockey. The ENIHL served as the third tier of hockey; operating below the BNL.


In 2014, it was agreed at the EIHA AGM to restructure the Southern Division 2 league to have Western and Eastern Conferences. Due to the odd-number of teams in the league, the Eastern Conference had six teams while the Western Conference had five teams. Both conferences were run completely separately and each winner was only regarded as being the conference winner, with no implication of one conference winner being regarded as the league winner. A two-round playoff format was introduced at the end of the season to determine a league-wide winner. The winner of the playoffs would then be the team promoted to Division 1.
=== Tiers of British ice hockey since 1995 ===
{| class="wikitable"
| style="width: 10%;"|'''1995-1996'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''1996-97'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''1997-98'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''1998-99'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''[[1999–2000 EPIHL season|1999-00]]'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''2002-03'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''2005-06'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''2012-13'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''2017-18'''
| style="width: 10%;"|'''2019-20'''
|-
| style="background: DarkSeaGreen;" |BHL Premier Division
| style="background: GoldenRod;" |Ice Hockey Superleague
| style="background: GoldenRod;" |Ice Hockey Superleague
| style="background: GoldenRod;" |Ice Hockey Superleague
| style="background: GoldenRod;" |Ice Hockey Superleague
| style="background: Gold;" |Elite Ice Hockey League
| style="background: Gold;" |Elite Ice Hockey League
| style="background: Gold;" |Elite Ice Hockey League
| style="background: Gold;" |Elite Ice Hockey League
| style="background: Gold;" |Elite Ice Hockey League
|-
| style="background: DarkSeaGreen;" |BHL Division 1
| style="background: IndianRed;" |British National League
| style="background: IndianRed;" |British National League
| style="background: IndianRed;" |British National League
| style="background: IndianRed;" |British National League
| style="background: IndianRed;" |British National League
| style="background: gray;" |English Premier Ice Hockey League
| style="background: gray;" |English Premier Ice Hockey League
| style="background: silver;"|National Ice Hockey League
| style="background: silver;"|National Ice Hockey League <br />National League
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: silver;"| ENIHL
| style="background: silver;" |National Division
| style="background: silver;"|Premier Division/League
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: gray;"|English Premier Ice Hockey League
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: gray;"|English Premier Ice Hockey League
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: silver;"| ENIHL
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: silver;"|National Ice Hockey League
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: silver;"|
| rowspan="2" ! style="background: silver;"|National Ice Hockey League <br />Leagues 1 and 2
|-
| style="background: silver;" |ENIHL
| style="background: silver;" |ENIHL
|-
|
|
|
|
| style="background: silver;" |ENIHL
| style="background: silver;"|ENIHL
|
|
|
|
|}
Following its inaugural season, an upper tier within the ENIHL was founded, so as to serve as a league for the members of the BNL who could not afford to remain in that league due to the increased operating costs; but at the same time played ice hockey to a higher standard that of the other ENIHL teams. This division was originally known as the '''National Division''', and during the 1997–98 season the teams in this division played dual schedules; a series of games solely amongst themselves, and another amongst all of the teams which fell under the jurisdiction of the ENIHL at this time. [[Coventry Blaze|Solihull Blaze]] won the league and play-off trophies of both formats during this inaugural season.


==Rules==
At the start of the 1998–99 season the divisions, whilst still both under the ENIHL umbrella, performed in their own separate competitions; and the national division adopted the name '''Premier Division''', and later on became known as the '''Premier League'''. By the end of the season the league had established itself outside of the ENIHL as the [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]] (EPIHL); reducing the ENIHL to the fourth level of Britain's ice hockey pyramid.


Follows [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) rules,<ref>[http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/sport/iihf-rule-book.html Rulebook 2006-2010] International Ice Hockey Federation</ref> as used by countries in all major European leagues. There are significant differences between the National Hockey League rules and IIHF rules, including rink dimension, netminder puck handling, and icing.  
However, in 2005 the BNL disbanded; leaving the EPIHL to take its place as the second tier of the national game and, consequently, re-establishing the ENIHL as the third tier of British ice hockey.<ref>http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/80.html</ref> In April 2007, the EIHA lowered the upper age limit within the junior leagues, abolishing the under 19 age limit to become under 18. Due to the large gap from junior level to the [[EPIHL]], many teams were forced to enter a reserve team into the ENIHL. This increased the size of the league from 22 teams through to 30 teams for the 2007–08 season.<ref>[http://www.vectistigers.com/history.html History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217172450/http://vectistigers.com/history.html |date=17 February 2009 }}, Vectis Tigers (last accessed 13 April 2009)</ref> Later in the 2007 off-season, the [[English Ice Hockey Association|EIHA]] suggested introducing an under 25 age limit across the league.<ref>[http://www.eiha.co.uk/2007_06_08_EIHA_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf ENGLISH ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION COMPANY LIMITED MEETING OF DIRECTORS 8TH JUNE 2007] (last accessed 13 April 2009)</ref> However, this age limit was removed within weeks in favour of a drive towards developing players.<ref>[http://www.invictadynamos.co.uk/php/news.php?id=436 News from the ENIHL AGM - Under 25's Age Limit Removed], Invicta Dynamos (last accessed 13 April 2009)</ref> The ENIHL was restructured for the 2008/2009 season into two regional divisions North and South, with two leagues in each regional division.


The '''ENIHL''' also operates under additional EIHA regulations.<ref>[http://www.eiha.co.uk/EIHA_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf Rules and Regulations], EIHA</ref>
Following the 2012–13 the league was renamed the '''National Ice Hockey League''', removing the word English due to non-English teams participating. In 2013, it was agreed at the [[English Ice Hockey Association|EIHA]] AGM to restructure the Northern league into two conferences; Moralee and Laidler. The split was done primarily on regions and neither conference was regarded as being higher than the other. However, at the following year's AGM, it was agreed to return to a tiered Division 1 and Division 2 format. However, the conference names remained in place with Division 1 taking the Moralee Conference title and Division 2 the Laidler Conference title.


Additional discipline rules are also enforced by the EIHA,<ref>[http://www.eiha.co.uk/Discipline_Document_2008-2009.pdf Disciplinary Document], EIHA, Revised June 7, 2008</ref> which include;
In 2014, it was agreed at the [[English Ice Hockey Association|EIHA]] AGM to restructure the Southern Division 2 league to have Western and Eastern Conferences. Due to the odd-number of teams in the league, the Eastern Conference had six teams while the Western Conference had five teams. Both conferences were run completely separately and each winner was only regarded as being the conference winner, with no implication of one conference winner being regarded as the league winner. A two-round playoff format was introduced at the end of the season to determine a league-wide winner. The winner of the playoffs would then be the team promoted to Division 1. In 2017, the two conferences were reunited.
* Team fines of up to £5,000 for failure to complete a fixture
* A points system for misconduct and match penalties
* Player suspensions based upon accumulation of points
** 10 points - 2 game suspension
** 15 points - 3 game suspension
** 20 points - 4 game suspension
** 25 points - 5 game suspension
* Penalty Points for coach/managers and bench officials
* For every 20 penalty points accumulated against the team (players, coaches,managers and bench official) - £25 fine
* 50 team penalty points - £100 fine
* 75 team penalty points - £250 fine plus suspension
* 100 team penalty points - £250 plus the £250 suspended fine awarded at 75 points = £500 total fine


==Season Structure==
==Teams==
===North===
===Division 1===
Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away.


At the end of the regular season, the top 4 teams in the division take part in the Playoff weekend, replacing the previous home/away format. 1st play 4th and 2nd play 3rd in one off semi-finals, the winners of which face each other the following day to decide the Playoff Champions, there is not usually a third placed Playoff. This is the format in both divisions (Moralee and Laidler). Blackburn Hawks currently hold the record of most consecutive final appearances with four from 2011/12 to the present season, winning in 2012/13 and 2014/15.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
 
|-
The rules regarding promotion and relegation between the Moralee and Laidler regularly change. Due to a league restructure in 2015 one club was relegated to the Moralee (Manchester Minotaurs) and the top three teams in the Laidler (Solihull Barons, Sheffield Senators and Teford Tigers) replacing them. A two legged Playoff was also played between the second bottom team in the Moralee (Whitley Warriors) and the fourth placed team in the Laidler (Widnes Wild) facing each other, the winner of two legs taking a place in the Moralee in the following season. Whitley won comfortably over two legs.
! style="background:blue; color:white" colspan=7 | <span style="color:white;">Division 1 - North (Moralee)</span>
 
|-
There are occasional cup competitions, but the format changes in most seasons but usually takes part in a league format. In 2014/15 a failed trial format of a group that included three teams from the Moralee Conference (Step 3 in English hockey) (Blackburn Hawks, Solway Sharks and Billingham Stars) and three English Premier League (Step 2) (Telford Tigers, Sheffield Steeldogs, Peterborough Phantoms and Manchester Phoenix) teams facing each other. The format was widely panned by fans due to the obvious class difference between the two sets of teams, although Soway and Blackburn secured an 8-4 home win over the Peterborough Phantoms.
!
 
! Club
===South===
! Founded
Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away. In the case of Division 2, teams only play those teams in their own conference.
! City
 
! Arena
==Players==
|-
The league itself is considered to be a development league, and as such the players are normally amateur. Many teams have affiliate teams in higher leagues. Other teams are aligned with junior ice hockey clubs, and exist to ensure that when players hit 18 there is still a possibility for them to play competitive hockey if they have not joined a professional team. Examples of this include the [[Bracknell Hornets]]<ref>[http://www.bihc.org.uk/teamENIHL.htm BIHC ENIHL], Bracknell Ice Hockey Club (last accessed April 13, 2009)</ref> and the [[Lancashire Raptors]].<ref>[http://www.raptorshockey.co.uk/ Lancashire Raptors] (last accessed April 13, 2009)</ref>
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
 
| [[Billingham Stars]]
==Clubs==
| align=center | 1971
Teams correct for 2015-16 season.
| [[Billingham]]
<ref>http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-n1-moralee-conference/</ref>
| Forum Ice Arena
<ref>http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-n2-laidler-conference/</ref>
|-
<ref>http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-s1/</ref>
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
<ref>http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-s2/</ref>
| [[Blackburn Hawks]]
<ref>http://eiha.co.uk/nihl-s2-east/</ref>
| align=center | 1990
 
| [[Blackburn]]
{| class="navbox wikitable" style="width:85%; text-align:center"
| [[Blackburn Ice Arena]]
|- valign="bottom"
|-
| width="15%" | '''League'''
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| width="15%" | '''Team'''
| [[Hull Pirates]]
| width="30%" | '''Town/City'''
| align=center | 2015
| width="30%" | '''Home Arena'''
| [[Kingston upon Hull]]
| width="10%" | '''Capacity'''
| [[Hull Ice Arena]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Nottingham Lions]]
| align=center | 2000
| [[Nottingham]]
| [[National Ice Centre]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Sheffield Steeldogs]]
| align=center | 2010
| [[Sheffield]]
| [[IceSheffield]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Solihull Barons]]
| align=center | 2005
| [[Solihull]]
| Planet Ice Solihull
|-
| {{flagicon|SCO}}
| [[Solway Sharks]]
| align=center | 1998
| [[Dumfries]]
| Dumfries Ice Bowl
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Sutton Sting]]
| align=center | 2011
| [[Sutton-in-Ashfield]]
| Lammas Leisure Centre
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Telford Tigers]]
| align=center | 1985
| [[Telford]]
| [[Telford Ice Rink]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Whitley Warriors]]
| align=center | 1957
| [[Whitley Bay]]
| [[Whitley Bay Ice Rink]]
|-
! style="background:red; color:white" colspan=7 | <span style="color:white;">Division 1 - South (Britton)</span>
|-
!
! Club
! Founded
! City
! Arena
|-
|-
! style="background:#B2A1C7" colspan=6 | North
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Basingstoke Bison]]
| align=center | 1988
| [[Basingstoke]]
| Planet Ice Basingstoke
|-
|-
!style="background-color:#CcDdFf" rowspan=9 align="center" | Moralee Conference
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
|  valign="bottom" | [[Billingham Stars]]
| [[Bracknell Bees]]
| valign="bottom" | Billingham, Cleveland
| align=center | 1987
| valign="bottom" | Billingham Forum
| [[Bracknell]]
| valign="bottom" | 900
| John Nike Leisuresport Complex
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Blackburn Hawks]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
|  valign="bottom" | Blackburn, Lancashire
| [[Invicta Dynamos]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Blackburn Arena]]
| align=center | 1997
| valign="bottom" | 3200
| [[Gillingham, Kent|Gillingham]]
|-
| Planet Ice Gillingham
|  valign="bottom" | Sheffield Senators
|  valign="bottom" | Sheffield, South Yorkshire
|  valign="bottom" | [[iceSheffield]], Sheffield
| valign="bottom" | 1500
|-
|  valign="bottom" | Sheffield Spartans
|  valign="bottom" | Sheffield, South Yorkshire
|  valign="bottom" | [[iceSheffield]], Sheffield
| valign="bottom" | 1500
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Solihull Barons]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Solihull, West Midlands
| [[London Raiders]]
| valign="bottom" | Blue Ice Plaza
| align=center | 1987
|  valign="bottom" | 800
| [[Romford]], [[Greater London]]
| Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Solway Sharks]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway
| [[Milton Keynes Thunder]]
| valign="bottom" | Dumfries Ice Bowl
| align=center | 2001
|  valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Milton Keynes]]
| [[Planet Ice Milton Keynes]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Sutton Sting]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Sheffield, South Yorkshire
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]]
| valign="bottom" | iceSheffield, Sheffield
| align=center | 2002
| valign="bottom" | 1500
| [[Peterborough]]
| Planet Ice Peterborough
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Telford Tigers]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Telford, Shropshire
| [[Streatham Redhawks]]
| valign="bottom" | Telford Ice Rink
| align=center | 1932
|  valign="bottom" | 2250
| [[Streatham]], [[Greater London]]
| [[Streatham Ice Arena]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Whitley Warriors]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
| [[Swindon Wildcats]]
| valign="bottom" | [[Whitley Bay Ice Rink]]
| align=center | 1986
| valign="bottom" | 3200
| [[Swindon]]
| [[Link Centre]]
|}
 
===Division 2===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
|-
!style="background-color:#E6B9B8" rowspan=8 Height="15" align="center" | Laidler Conference
! style="background:blue; color:white" colspan=7 | <span style="color:white;">Division 2 - North (Laidler)</span>
| valign="bottom" | [[Altrincham Aces|Altrincham Aces NIHL]]
|  valign="bottom" | Altrincham, Greater Manchester
|  valign="bottom" | [[Altrincham Ice Dome]]
|  valign="bottom" | 2150
|-  
|  valign="bottom" | Blackburn Eagles
|  valign="bottom" | Blackburn, Lancashire
|  valign="bottom" | Blackburn Arena
|  valign="bottom" | 3200
|-
|-
|  valign="bottom" | [[Bradford Bulldogs]]
!
|  valign="bottom" | Bradford, West Yorkshire
! Club
|  valign="bottom" | Bradford Ice Arena, Bradford
! Founded
|  valign="bottom" | 800
! City
! Arena
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Coventry Blaze (ENL)|Coventry Blaze]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Coventry, West Midlands
| [[Altrincham Aces]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[SkyDome Arena]], Coventry
| align=center | 1961
| valign="bottom" | 3000
| [[Altrincham]]
| [[Altrincham Ice Dome]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Deeside Dragons]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Queensferry, Flintshire, Wales
| [[Blackburn Hawks]] 2
| valign="bottom" | [[Deeside Ice Rink]]
| align=center | 1990
|  valign="bottom" | 1500
| [[Blackburn]]
| [[Blackburn Ice Arena]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | Hull Jets
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
| [[Bradford Bulldogs]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Hull Arena]], Kingston upon Hull
| align=center | 1978
| valign="bottom" | 2000
| [[Bradford]]
| Bradford Ice Arena
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Nottingham Lions]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
| [[Coventry Blaze]] 2
|  valign="bottom" | [[National Ice Centre]], Nottingham
| align=center | 2007
| valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Coventry]]
| [[SkyDome Arena]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Widnes Wild]]
| [[File:Flag of Wales.svg.png|25px]]
| valign="bottom" | Widnes, Halton
| [[Deeside Dragons]]
| valign="bottom" | Silver Blades, Widnes
| align=center | 2012
| valign="bottom" | 500
| [[Queensferry, Flintshire|Queensferry]]
| [[Deeside Leisure Centre]]
|-
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Hull Jets]]
| align=center | 2013
| [[Kingston upon Hull]]
| [[Hull Ice Arena]]
|-
|-
! style="background:#FFDD66" colspan=5 | South
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Sheffield Senators]]
| align=center | 2010
| [[Sheffield]]
| [[IceSheffield]]
|-
|-
!style="background-color:#C2D69A" rowspan=10 Height="15" align="center" |Division 1
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
|  valign="bottom" | [[Bracknell Hornets]]
| [[Telford Tigers]] 2
| valign="bottom" | Bracknell, Berkshire
| align=center | 1985
| valign="bottom" | John Nike Leisuresport Complex
| [[Telford]]
| valign="bottom" | 2400
| [[Telford Ice Rink]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | Cardiff Devils
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Cardiff, South Wales
| [[Widnes Wild]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Cardiff Arena]]
| align=center | 2013
| valign="bottom" | 2500
|[[Widnes]]
| Planet Ice Widnes
|-
|-
|  valign="bottom" | [[Chelmsford Chieftains]]
! style="background:red; color:white" colspan=7 | <span style="color:white;">Division 2 - South (Wilkinson)</span>
|  valign="bottom" | Chelmsford, Essex
|  valign="bottom" | Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre
|  valign="bottom" | 1200
|-
|-
|  valign="bottom" | [[Invicta Dynamos]]
!
|  valign="bottom" | Gillingham, Kent
! Club
|  valign="bottom" | Silver Blades, Gillingham
! Founded
|  valign="bottom" | 1200
! City
! Arena
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[London Raiders]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Leyton, London
| [[Basingstoke Buffalo]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Lee Valley Ice Centre]], Waltham Forest
| align=center | 1996
| valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Basingstoke]]
| Planet Ice Basingstoke
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Milton Keynes Thunder]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| [[Bracknell Hornets]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Planet Ice]] Thunderdome, Milton Keynes
| align=center | 1987
| valign="bottom" | 2200
| [[Bracknell]]
| John Nike Leisuresport Complex
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Oxford City Stars]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Oxford, Oxfordshire
| [[Bristol Pitbulls]]
| valign="bottom" | Oxford Ice Rink
| align=center | 2009
|  valign="bottom" | 1025
| [[Oxford]]
| [[Oxford Ice Rink]]
|-
|-
|  valign="bottom" | [[Solent Devils]]
| [[File:Flag of Wales.svg.png|25px]]
| valign="bottom" | Gosport, Hampshire
| [[Cardiff Fire]]
|  valign="bottom" | Gosport Ice Rink, Gosport
| align=center | 2015
| valign="bottom" | N/A
| [[Cardiff]]
|-
| [[Ice Arena Wales]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Streatham Redskins]]
| valign="bottom" | Streatham, London
|  valign="bottom" | Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
|  valign="bottom" | 1200
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Wightlink Raiders]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Ryde, Isle of Wight
| [[Chelmsford Chieftains]]
| valign="bottom" | Ryde Arena
| align=center | 1987
| valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Chelmsford]]
| Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre
|-
|-
!style="background-color:#FAC090" rowspan=5 Height="15" align="center" | Division 2 - West
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
|  valign="bottom" | [[Basingstoke Buffalo]]
| [[Guildford Phoenix]]
| valign="bottom" | Basingstoke, Hampshire
| align=center | 2017
|  valign="bottom" | Planet Ice Silverdome, Basingstoke
| [[Guildford]]
|  valign="bottom" | 2000
| [[Guildford Spectrum]]
|-
|  valign="bottom" | [[Bristol Pitbulls]]
|  valign="bottom" | Bristol
|  valign="bottom" | [[Oxford Ice Rink]]
|  valign="bottom" | 650
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | Cardiff Fire
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Cardiff, South Wales
| [[Haringey Huskies]]
| valign="bottom" | Ice Arena Wales
| align=center | 2017
| valign="bottom" | 3000
| [[Haringey]]. [[Greater London]]
| [[Alexandra Palace]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Swindon Wildcats ENL|Swindon Wildcats]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Swindon, Wiltshire
| [[Invicta Mustangs]]
|  valign="bottom" | [[Link Centre]], Swindon
| align=center | 1997
|  valign="bottom" | 1250
| [[Gillingham, Kent|Gillingham]]
|-
| Planet Ice Gillingham
| valign="bottom" | [[Wightlink Tigers]]
| valign="bottom" | Ryde, Isle of Wight
|  valign="bottom" | Ryde Arena
|  valign="bottom" | 1000
|-
|-
!style="background-color:#FFE303" rowspan=6 Height="15" align="center" | Division 2 - East
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Chelmsford Warriors
| [[Lee Valley Lions]]
| valign="bottom" | Chelmsford, Essex
| align=center | 1984
| valign="bottom" | Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre
| [[Waltham Forest]], [[Greater London]]
|  valign="bottom" | 1200
| [[Lee Valley Ice Centre]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Invicta Dynamos]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Gillingham, Kent
| [[London Raiders]] 2
| valign="bottom" | Silver Blades, Gillingham
| align=center | 1987
| valign="bottom" | 1200
| [[Romford]], [[Greater London]]
| Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Lee Valley Lions]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Leyton, London
| [[Oxford City Stars]]
| valign="bottom" | Lee Valley Ice Centre, Waltham Forest
| align=center | 1984
|  valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Oxford]]
| [[Oxford Ice Rink]]
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Harringay Racers]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Haringey, London
| [[Peterborough Phantoms]] 2
| valign="bottom" | Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
| align=center | 2002
|  valign="bottom" | 1250
| [[Peterborough]]
| Planet Ice Peterborough
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Peterborough Islanders]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
| [[Slough Jets]]
| valign="bottom" | Planet Ice, Peterborough
| align=center | 1986
|  valign="bottom" | 1250
| [[Slough]]
| Slough Ice Arena
|-
|-
| valign="bottom" | [[Slough Jets]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| valign="bottom" | Slough, Berkshire
| [[Solent Devils]]
| valign="bottom" | Slough Ice Rink, Slough
| align=center | 2003
|  valign="bottom" | 1000
| [[Gosport]]
| Planet Ice Gosport
|-
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}}
| [[Swindon Wildcats]] 2
| align=center | 1986
| [[Swindon]]
| [[Link Centre]]
|}
|}
==Season Structure==
As of the 2018-19 season, the divisions are the following:
===North===
Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away.
At the end of the regular season, the top 4 teams in the division take part in the Playoff weekend, which are one-off games, replacing the previous home/away format. There is not usually a third placed Playoff. Blackburn Hawks currently hold the record of most consecutive final appearances with four from 2011/12 to the present season, winning in 2012/13 and 2014/15.
The rules regarding promotion and relegation between the Moralee and Laidler regularly change.
There are occasional cup competitions, but the format changes in most seasons but usually takes part in a league format.
===South===
Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away.
Unlike the North, the South keep a two-legged home-and-away format throughout the playoffs. In Division 1, this is a three-rounded format, involving the teams who finished in the top 8 of the regular season. In Division 2, this is a two-rounded format, involving the teams who finished in the top 2 of their conference. In the semi-finals, the conference winners play the runners-up from the other conference with the final involving the winners of the two semi-finals.
Division 1 has a Cup competition involving six of the teams. These are initially split into two groups of three, with the top two from each group going on to a knock-out, two-legged semi-final and final.


==League Champions==
==League Champions==
Line 384: Line 510:
| Blackburn Hawks
| Blackburn Hawks
| Chelmsford Chieftains
| Chelmsford Chieftains
|
|-
| [[2016-17 ENIHL season|2016-17]]
| Solway Sharks
| Chelmsford Chieftains
|
|-
| [[2017-18 ENIHL season|2017-18]]
| Sheffield Steeldogs
| Basingstoke Bison
| Basingstoke Bison
|-
| [[2018-19 ENIHL season|2018-19]]
| Hull Pirates
| Swindon Wildcats
| Hull Pirates
|-
| [[2019-20 ENIHL season|2019-20]]
| Whitley Warriors
| Streatham IHC
| Cancelled
|-
| 2020-21
| Cancelled
| Cancelled
| Cancelled
|-
| [[2021-22 ENIHL season|2021-22]]
| Solway Sharks
| Streatham IHC
| Solway Sharks
|-
|[[2022-23 ENIHL season|2022-23]]
| Solway Sharks
| Streatham IHC
| Solway Sharks
|-
|[[2023-24 ENIHL season|2023-24]]
| Blackburn Hawks
| Chlemsford Chieftains
|  
|  
|}
|}
;National League champions
*2019-20: Telford Tigers (regular season)
*2020-21: ''cancelled
*2021-22: Sheffield Steeldogs
*2022-23: Leeds Knights
*2023-24: Peterborough Phantoms
;Division 2 champions
*2007-08: Invicta Dynamos (South)
*2008-09: Telford Titans (North), Chelmsford Chieftains (South)
*2009-10: TDC Northern Stars (North), Bristol Pitbulls (South)
*2010-11: Solihull Barons (North), Slough Jets (South)
*2011-12: Solway Sharks (North), Solent Devils (South)
*2012-13: Nottingham Lions (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
*2013-14: Solihull Barons (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
*2014-15: Solihull Barons (North), Bristol Pitbulls (South)
*2015-16: Deeside Dragons (North), Chelmsford Warriors (South)
*2016-17: Blackburn Eagles (North), Cardiff Fire (South)
*2017-18: Altrincham Aces (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
*2018-19: Widnes Wild (North), Slough Jets (South)
*2019-20: Hull Jets (North), Haringey Huskies (South East), Guildford Phoenix (South West)
*2020-21: ''cancelled''
*2021-22: Hull Jets (North), Guildford Phoenix (South)
*2022-23: Telford Tigers II (North), Invicta Mustangs (South)
*2023-24: Billingham Buccaneers (North), Basingstoke Buffalo (South)
==Rules==
Follows [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) rules,<ref>[http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/sport/iihf-rule-book.html Rulebook 2006-2010] International Ice Hockey Federation</ref> as used by countries in all major European leagues. There are significant differences between the National Hockey League rules and [[IIHF]] rules, including rink dimension, netminder puck handling, and icing.
The '''ENIHL''' also operates under additional EIHA regulations.<ref>[http://www.eiha.co.uk/EIHA_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf Rules and Regulations], EIHA</ref>
Additional discipline rules are also enforced by the EIHA,<ref>[http://www.eiha.co.uk/Discipline_Document_2008-2009.pdf Disciplinary Document], EIHA, Revised 7 June 2008</ref> which include;
* Team fines of up to £5,000 for failure to complete a fixture
* A points system for misconduct and match penalties
* Player suspensions based upon accumulation of points
** 10 points - 2-game suspension
** 15 points - 3-game suspension
** 20 points - 4-game suspension
** 25 points - 5-game suspension
* Penalty Points for coach/managers and bench officials
* For every 20 penalty points accumulated against the team (players, coaches,managers and bench official) - £25 fine
* 50 team penalty points - £100 fine
* 75 team penalty points - £250 fine plus suspension
* 100 team penalty points - £250 plus the £250 suspended fine awarded at 75 points = £500 total fine


==See also==
==See also==
Line 393: Line 604:


{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Euro Hockey}}
{{Wikipedia}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Ice hockey leagues]]
[[Category:Ice hockey leagues]]

Latest revision as of 14:36, 9 June 2024

English National Ice Hockey League
ENL Logo.png
Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1996
No. of teams 49
Country(ies)  Great Britain
Official website EIHA Leagues

The National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) is a set of semi-professional ice hockey leagues administered by the English Ice Hockey Association. It is currently the second tier of British ice hockey, below the Elite Ice Hockey League. Formerly called the English National Ice Hockey League (ENIHL), it was renamed in 2012 to recognise the inclusion of several teams from Scotland and Wales.[1]


The English Ice Hockey Association announced a new structure of the men's senior league for the 2019/20 season, at a meeting of NIHL clubs in Warwickshire. A new ten-team division was approved to sit above the existing Division 1 in North and South, to be known as the National League.[2]

In the inaugural 2019-2020 season the National League will comprise Basingstoke Bison, Bracknell Bees, Hull Pirates, Leeds Chiefs, MK Lightning, Peterborough Phantoms, London Raiders, Sheffield Steeldogs, Swindon Wildcats and Telford Tigers. There is no promotion to or relegation from the National League.

Below the National League, the leagues are split into two regions, North and South, meaning teams do not have to travel long distances for away games. Each region has 2 divisions, with promotion and relegation between the divisions in each region.

History

The ENIHL was formed in 1996; following the dissolution of the British Hockey League (BHL), and the creation of the Ice Hockey Superleague and the British National League (BNL) as the top two tiers of British hockey. The ENIHL served as the third tier of hockey; operating below the BNL.

Tiers of British ice hockey since 1995

1995-1996 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2002-03 2005-06 2012-13 2017-18 2019-20
BHL Premier Division Ice Hockey Superleague Ice Hockey Superleague Ice Hockey Superleague Ice Hockey Superleague Elite Ice Hockey League Elite Ice Hockey League Elite Ice Hockey League Elite Ice Hockey League Elite Ice Hockey League
BHL Division 1 British National League British National League British National League British National League British National League English Premier Ice Hockey League English Premier Ice Hockey League National Ice Hockey League National Ice Hockey League
National League
ENIHL National Division Premier Division/League English Premier Ice Hockey League English Premier Ice Hockey League ENIHL National Ice Hockey League National Ice Hockey League
Leagues 1 and 2
ENIHL ENIHL
ENIHL ENIHL

Following its inaugural season, an upper tier within the ENIHL was founded, so as to serve as a league for the members of the BNL who could not afford to remain in that league due to the increased operating costs; but at the same time played ice hockey to a higher standard that of the other ENIHL teams. This division was originally known as the National Division, and during the 1997–98 season the teams in this division played dual schedules; a series of games solely amongst themselves, and another amongst all of the teams which fell under the jurisdiction of the ENIHL at this time. Solihull Blaze won the league and play-off trophies of both formats during this inaugural season.

At the start of the 1998–99 season the divisions, whilst still both under the ENIHL umbrella, performed in their own separate competitions; and the national division adopted the name Premier Division, and later on became known as the Premier League. By the end of the season the league had established itself outside of the ENIHL as the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL); reducing the ENIHL to the fourth level of Britain's ice hockey pyramid.

However, in 2005 the BNL disbanded; leaving the EPIHL to take its place as the second tier of the national game and, consequently, re-establishing the ENIHL as the third tier of British ice hockey.[3] In April 2007, the EIHA lowered the upper age limit within the junior leagues, abolishing the under 19 age limit to become under 18. Due to the large gap from junior level to the EPIHL, many teams were forced to enter a reserve team into the ENIHL. This increased the size of the league from 22 teams through to 30 teams for the 2007–08 season.[4] Later in the 2007 off-season, the EIHA suggested introducing an under 25 age limit across the league.[5] However, this age limit was removed within weeks in favour of a drive towards developing players.[6] The ENIHL was restructured for the 2008/2009 season into two regional divisions North and South, with two leagues in each regional division.

Following the 2012–13 the league was renamed the National Ice Hockey League, removing the word English due to non-English teams participating. In 2013, it was agreed at the EIHA AGM to restructure the Northern league into two conferences; Moralee and Laidler. The split was done primarily on regions and neither conference was regarded as being higher than the other. However, at the following year's AGM, it was agreed to return to a tiered Division 1 and Division 2 format. However, the conference names remained in place with Division 1 taking the Moralee Conference title and Division 2 the Laidler Conference title.

In 2014, it was agreed at the EIHA AGM to restructure the Southern Division 2 league to have Western and Eastern Conferences. Due to the odd-number of teams in the league, the Eastern Conference had six teams while the Western Conference had five teams. Both conferences were run completely separately and each winner was only regarded as being the conference winner, with no implication of one conference winner being regarded as the league winner. A two-round playoff format was introduced at the end of the season to determine a league-wide winner. The winner of the playoffs would then be the team promoted to Division 1. In 2017, the two conferences were reunited.

Teams

Division 1

Division 1 - North (Moralee)
Club Founded City Arena
Flag of England Billingham Stars 1971 Billingham Forum Ice Arena
Flag of England Blackburn Hawks 1990 Blackburn Blackburn Ice Arena
Flag of England Hull Pirates 2015 Kingston upon Hull Hull Ice Arena
Flag of England Nottingham Lions 2000 Nottingham National Ice Centre
Flag of England Sheffield Steeldogs 2010 Sheffield IceSheffield
Flag of England Solihull Barons 2005 Solihull Planet Ice Solihull
Flag of Scotland Solway Sharks 1998 Dumfries Dumfries Ice Bowl
Flag of England Sutton Sting 2011 Sutton-in-Ashfield Lammas Leisure Centre
Flag of England Telford Tigers 1985 Telford Telford Ice Rink
Flag of England Whitley Warriors 1957 Whitley Bay Whitley Bay Ice Rink
Division 1 - South (Britton)
Club Founded City Arena
Flag of England Basingstoke Bison 1988 Basingstoke Planet Ice Basingstoke
Flag of England Bracknell Bees 1987 Bracknell John Nike Leisuresport Complex
Flag of England Invicta Dynamos 1997 Gillingham Planet Ice Gillingham
Flag of England London Raiders 1987 Romford, Greater London Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre
Flag of England Milton Keynes Thunder 2001 Milton Keynes Planet Ice Milton Keynes
Flag of England Peterborough Phantoms 2002 Peterborough Planet Ice Peterborough
Flag of England Streatham Redhawks 1932 Streatham, Greater London Streatham Ice Arena
Flag of England Swindon Wildcats 1986 Swindon Link Centre

Division 2

Division 2 - North (Laidler)
Club Founded City Arena
Flag of England Altrincham Aces 1961 Altrincham Altrincham Ice Dome
Flag of England Blackburn Hawks 2 1990 Blackburn Blackburn Ice Arena
Flag of England Bradford Bulldogs 1978 Bradford Bradford Ice Arena
Flag of England Coventry Blaze 2 2007 Coventry SkyDome Arena
Flag of Wales.svg.png Deeside Dragons 2012 Queensferry Deeside Leisure Centre
Flag of England Hull Jets 2013 Kingston upon Hull Hull Ice Arena
Flag of England Sheffield Senators 2010 Sheffield IceSheffield
Flag of England Telford Tigers 2 1985 Telford Telford Ice Rink
Flag of England Widnes Wild 2013 Widnes Planet Ice Widnes
Division 2 - South (Wilkinson)
Club Founded City Arena
Flag of England Basingstoke Buffalo 1996 Basingstoke Planet Ice Basingstoke
Flag of England Bracknell Hornets 1987 Bracknell John Nike Leisuresport Complex
Flag of England Bristol Pitbulls 2009 Oxford Oxford Ice Rink
Flag of Wales.svg.png Cardiff Fire 2015 Cardiff Ice Arena Wales
Flag of England Chelmsford Chieftains 1987 Chelmsford Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre
Flag of England Guildford Phoenix 2017 Guildford Guildford Spectrum
Flag of England Haringey Huskies 2017 Haringey. Greater London Alexandra Palace
Flag of England Invicta Mustangs 1997 Gillingham Planet Ice Gillingham
Flag of England Lee Valley Lions 1984 Waltham Forest, Greater London Lee Valley Ice Centre
Flag of England London Raiders 2 1987 Romford, Greater London Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre
Flag of England Oxford City Stars 1984 Oxford Oxford Ice Rink
Flag of England Peterborough Phantoms 2 2002 Peterborough Planet Ice Peterborough
Flag of England Slough Jets 1986 Slough Slough Ice Arena
Flag of England Solent Devils 2003 Gosport Planet Ice Gosport
Flag of England Swindon Wildcats 2 1986 Swindon Link Centre

Season Structure

As of the 2018-19 season, the divisions are the following:

North

Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away.

At the end of the regular season, the top 4 teams in the division take part in the Playoff weekend, which are one-off games, replacing the previous home/away format. There is not usually a third placed Playoff. Blackburn Hawks currently hold the record of most consecutive final appearances with four from 2011/12 to the present season, winning in 2012/13 and 2014/15.

The rules regarding promotion and relegation between the Moralee and Laidler regularly change.

There are occasional cup competitions, but the format changes in most seasons but usually takes part in a league format.

South

Each team plays each of the other teams in their league a total of four times; twice home, twice away.

Unlike the North, the South keep a two-legged home-and-away format throughout the playoffs. In Division 1, this is a three-rounded format, involving the teams who finished in the top 8 of the regular season. In Division 2, this is a two-rounded format, involving the teams who finished in the top 2 of their conference. In the semi-finals, the conference winners play the runners-up from the other conference with the final involving the winners of the two semi-finals.

Division 1 has a Cup competition involving six of the teams. These are initially split into two groups of three, with the top two from each group going on to a knock-out, two-legged semi-final and final.

League Champions

Season Northern Champions Southern Champions Playoff Champions
1996-97 Kingston Jets Romford Raiders Wightlink Raiders
1997-98 Solihull Barons Invicta Dynamos Solihull Barons
1998-99 Billingham Bombers Cardiff Devils Billingham Bombers
1999-2000 Billingham Bombers Haringey Greyhounds Whitley Warriors
2000-01 Billingham Bombers Basingstoke Buffalo Whitley Warriors
2001-02 Whitley Warriors Basingstoke Buffalo Whitley Warriors
2002-03 Sheffield Scimitars Basingstoke Buffalo
2003-04 Flintshire Freeze Invicta Dynamos Sheffield Scimitars
2004-05 Sheffield Scimitars Invicta Dynamos Sheffield Scimitars
2005-06 Billingham Bombers Invicta Dynamos Invicta Dynamos
2006-07 Newcastle Vipers Invicta Dynamos Sheffield Scimitars
2007-08 Nottingham Lions Peterborough Islanders Whitley Warriors
2008-09 Sheffield Scimitars Invicta Dynamos Nottingham Lions
2009-10 Whitley Warriors Invicta Dynamos
2010-11 Whitley Warriors Wightlink Raiders
2011-12 Billingham Stars Chelmsford Chieftains
2012-13 Blackburn Hawks Chelmsford Chieftains
2013-14 Solway Sharks Chelmsford Chieftains
2014-15 Blackburn Hawks Chelmsford Chieftains
2015-16 Blackburn Hawks Chelmsford Chieftains
2016-17 Solway Sharks Chelmsford Chieftains
2017-18 Sheffield Steeldogs Basingstoke Bison Basingstoke Bison
2018-19 Hull Pirates Swindon Wildcats Hull Pirates
2019-20 Whitley Warriors Streatham IHC Cancelled
2020-21 Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled
2021-22 Solway Sharks Streatham IHC Solway Sharks
2022-23 Solway Sharks Streatham IHC Solway Sharks
2023-24 Blackburn Hawks Chlemsford Chieftains
National League champions
  • 2019-20: Telford Tigers (regular season)
  • 2020-21: cancelled
  • 2021-22: Sheffield Steeldogs
  • 2022-23: Leeds Knights
  • 2023-24: Peterborough Phantoms
Division 2 champions
  • 2007-08: Invicta Dynamos (South)
  • 2008-09: Telford Titans (North), Chelmsford Chieftains (South)
  • 2009-10: TDC Northern Stars (North), Bristol Pitbulls (South)
  • 2010-11: Solihull Barons (North), Slough Jets (South)
  • 2011-12: Solway Sharks (North), Solent Devils (South)
  • 2012-13: Nottingham Lions (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
  • 2013-14: Solihull Barons (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
  • 2014-15: Solihull Barons (North), Bristol Pitbulls (South)
  • 2015-16: Deeside Dragons (North), Chelmsford Warriors (South)
  • 2016-17: Blackburn Eagles (North), Cardiff Fire (South)
  • 2017-18: Altrincham Aces (North), Oxford City Stars (South)
  • 2018-19: Widnes Wild (North), Slough Jets (South)
  • 2019-20: Hull Jets (North), Haringey Huskies (South East), Guildford Phoenix (South West)
  • 2020-21: cancelled
  • 2021-22: Hull Jets (North), Guildford Phoenix (South)
  • 2022-23: Telford Tigers II (North), Invicta Mustangs (South)
  • 2023-24: Billingham Buccaneers (North), Basingstoke Buffalo (South)

Rules

Follows International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules,[7] as used by countries in all major European leagues. There are significant differences between the National Hockey League rules and IIHF rules, including rink dimension, netminder puck handling, and icing.

The ENIHL also operates under additional EIHA regulations.[8]

Additional discipline rules are also enforced by the EIHA,[9] which include;

  • Team fines of up to £5,000 for failure to complete a fixture
  • A points system for misconduct and match penalties
  • Player suspensions based upon accumulation of points
    • 10 points - 2-game suspension
    • 15 points - 3-game suspension
    • 20 points - 4-game suspension
    • 25 points - 5-game suspension
  • Penalty Points for coach/managers and bench officials
  • For every 20 penalty points accumulated against the team (players, coaches,managers and bench official) - £25 fine
  • 50 team penalty points - £100 fine
  • 75 team penalty points - £250 fine plus suspension
  • 100 team penalty points - £250 plus the £250 suspended fine awarded at 75 points = £500 total fine

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/SlapshotScotland
  2. ↑ [1]
  3. ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/80.html
  4. ↑ History , Vectis Tigers (last accessed 13 April 2009)
  5. ↑ ENGLISH ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION COMPANY LIMITED MEETING OF DIRECTORS 8TH JUNE 2007 (last accessed 13 April 2009)
  6. ↑ News from the ENIHL AGM - Under 25's Age Limit Removed, Invicta Dynamos (last accessed 13 April 2009)
  7. ↑ Rulebook 2006-2010 International Ice Hockey Federation
  8. ↑ Rules and Regulations, EIHA
  9. ↑ Disciplinary Document, EIHA, Revised 7 June 2008
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Top-Level Leagues
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