32-682: For the current league, see English National Ice Hockey League . The English National League was an early ice hockey league in England . It was founded in 1935 by most of the teams who had previously competed in the English League . It was suspended during the Second World War , but returned in 1946. In 1954 the league merged with the Scottish National League to form
64-562: A Cup competition involving eight teams. These are initially split into two groups of four, with each group containing two teams from each conference. The top two teams from each group go onto a single Cup Final Weekend held in a single venue, with semi-finals on the Saturday determining the two teams to play the final on the Sunday. In 2019, the EIHA announced a new National League to sit above
96-708: A few changes to the roster and won the Playoffs and also fared well in the Caledonia Cup. In 2005 Edinburgh Capitals and Newcastle Vipers decided to resign from the BNL in order to join the premier Elite League . As this would leave the BNL with only five teams; and thus with little option but to fold, the Capitals and Vipers temporarily withdrew their applications so as to allow the remaining BNL teams to apply for EIHL status. However, terms could not be agreed between
128-558: 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
160-516: A league format. 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
192-500: A professional team. Level League(s)/Division(s) 2 National League 11 clubs – no promotions, no relegations 3 Division 1 – North (Moralee) 7 clubs – no promotions, bottom club relegated to D2N Division 1 – South (Britton) 10 clubs – no promotions, bottom club relegated to D2S 4 Division 2 – North (Laidler) 8 clubs – champions promoted to D1N, no relegations Division 2 – South (Wilkinson) 12 clubs – champions promoted to D1S, no relegations Note
224-658: 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 . 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
256-529: The Basingstoke Bison announced they would sit out the 2023/24 season due to rink upgrade works. As of the 2018–19 season, the divisions are the following: 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
288-479: 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. 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
320-715: The British National League (BNL), Scottish National League (SNL) and The Northern League. In joining the Elite League (EIHL), they are one of three Scottish teams playing in the competition, alongside Glasgow Clan and Fife Flyers . Founded in 2001, the Dundee Stars won the Findus British National League (FBNL) and the Playoffs in their first season (2001–02) and then ranked 2nd in the FBNL 9n (2002–03), topped their playoff group and reached
352-891: The British National League . Champions [ edit ] 1936: Wembley Lions 1937: Wembley Lions 1938: Harringay Racers 1939: Harringay Greyhounds 1940: Harringay Greyhounds 1947: Brighton Tigers 1948: Brighton Tigers 1949: Harringay Racers 1950: Streatham 1951: Nottingham Panthers 1952: Wembley Lions 1953: Streatham 1954: Nottingham Panthers References [ edit ] A to Z encyclopaedia of ice hockey See also [ edit ] British ice hockey league champions v t e English National League seasons 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 v t e Ice hockey in
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#1732771916045384-561: 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. 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
416-630: 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
448-620: The Dundee Stars confirmed that they had been accepted into the EIHL, as the league's 2nd expansion team for the 2010–11 season. Note: The 2019–20 Elite League season was cancelled completely in March 2020, owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The season finished without a league or play-off winner and Dundee's stat line above reflects the Stars' position at the time of the cancellation. Note: The 2020–21 Elite League season - originally scheduled for
480-647: The EIHA, which include; Dundee Stars The Dundee Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in the Scottish city of Dundee . They were formed in 2001 and play their home games at the Dundee Ice Arena , situated off the city's main Kingsway dual carriageway. The current title sponsor of the team is ' Trade-Mart' . The team currently play in the top professional UK-wide Elite Ice Hockey League and have previously played in others including
512-402: The EIHL and the remaining five BNL teams; leading the Capitals and Vipers to resubmit their original applications and join the EIHL; which ultimately resulted in the closure of the BNL. This led the Stars, along with fellow former BNL team Fife Flyers , to move to the Scottish National League . The Stars refusal of the EIHL's terms was due to their local rival, Fife Flyers , being unable to join
544-643: The EIHL due to their arena not meeting the EIHL's standards. It was decided that Stars' would not join the EIHL at that time unless the Flyers were allowed to join with them. In joining the SNL the Stars had to release all of their imported players in order to meet SNL rules. During the first season, Fife won the SNL with Stars three points behind in 2nd. Flyers also won the Autumn Cup, the Northern League and
576-630: 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. The ENIHL was formed in 1996; following the dissolution of the British Hockey League (BHL), and the creation of the Ice Hockey Superleague and
608-526: The SNL Playoffs. Season 2006–07 introduced the NHL style Zero Tolerance rules and the one import rule with the intent of making the SNL a more skillful league. The Stars have relied heavily on their junior development with many under-19s and some under-16s "playing up" as well as managing to secure the services of two of the "old" favourites, Jeff Marshall (Canada) and Patric Lochi (Italy). In late April 2010,
640-3408: The United Kingdom Governing bodies English Ice Hockey Association Ice Hockey UK Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association Scottish Ice Hockey Elite League Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze Dundee Stars Fife Flyers Glasgow Clan Guildford Flames Manchester Storm Nottingham Panthers Sheffield Steelers National Ice Hockey League National League Bees IHC Bristol Pitbulls Hull Seahawks Leeds Knights Milton Keynes Lightning Peterborough Phantoms Raiders Sheffield Steeldogs Solway Sharks Swindon Wildcats Telford Tigers North Division 1 Billingham Stars Blackburn Hawks Nottingham Lions Solihull Barons Sutton Sting Whitley Warriors South Division 1 Cardiff Fire Chelmsford Chieftains Invicta Dynamos Milton Keynes Thunder Oxford City Stars Raiders 2 Slough Jets Solent Devils Streatham IHC North Division 2 Altrincham Aces Blackburn Hawks 2 Bradford Bulldogs Deeside Dragons Hull Jets Sheffield Senators Telford Tigers 2 Widnes Wild South Division 2 Basingstoke Buffalo Guildford Phoenix Haringey Huskies Invicta Mustangs Lee Valley Lions Peterborough Phantoms 2 Solent Devils 2 Streatham Hawks Swindon Wildcats 2 Scottish National League Aberdeen Lynx Dundee Rockets Edinburgh Capitals Kilmarnock Storm Kirkcaldy Kestrels North Ayrshire Wild Paisley Pirates Women's National Ice Hockey League WNIHL Elite Bracknell Queen Bees Kingston Diamonds Nottingham Vipers Solihull Vixens Streatham Storm WNIHL Premier Bracknell Firebees Cardiff Comets Chelmsford Cobras Kingston Diamonds B Milton Keynes Falcons Sheffield Shadows Swindon TopCats Whitley Squaws Division 1 North Grimsby Wolves Nottingham Vipers B Sheffield Shadows B Solway Sharks Ladies Telford Wrekin Raiders Widnes Wild Women Division 1 South Coventry Phoenix Oxford Midnight Stars Peterborough Penguins Slough Sirens Solent Amazons Streatham Storm B Swindon TopCats B British University Teams Birmingham Lions Bradford Sabres Bristol Lions Caledonia Steel Queens Cambridge University Blues Cardiff Redhawks Coventry and Warwick Panthers Edinburgh Eagles Huddersfield Ice Hawks Hull Ice Hogs Imperial Devils Kent Knights Leeds Gryphons London Dragons Manchester Metros Newcastle Wildcats Northumbria Kings Nottingham Mavericks Oxford University Ice Hockey Club Sheffield Bears Southampton Spitfires St Andrews Typhoons UCL Yetis UEA Avalanche Competitions League Championship British Championship Challenge Cup Knockout Cup Varsity Match Player awards Alan Weeks Trophy Best British Forward British Netminder of
672-889: The United Kingdom Defunct sports leagues in England Sports leagues established in 1935 1935 establishments in England 1954 disestablishments in England Ice hockey leagues in England English National Ice Hockey League The National Ice Hockey League ( NIHL ) is a set of semi-professional ice hockey leagues administered by the English Ice Hockey Association . It
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#1732771916045704-2950: The Year Coach of the Year Trophy Ice Hockey Annual Trophy Player of the Year Trophy Vic Batchelder Memorial Award Defunct leagues and competitions British Ice Hockey Association Ahearne Cup Autumn Cup British Hockey League British National League (1954–60) British National League (1996–2005) English League English League North English National League English National League (1981–82) English Premier League Ice Hockey Superleague Inter-City League Northern League Northern League Scottish National League Scottish Premier Hockey League Southern League Defunct teams Aldershot Bullets Ayr Bruins Ayr Scottish Eagles Blackburn Eagles Blackpool Seagulls Brighton Tigers Cardiff Rage Castlereagh Knights Dumfries Vikings Dunfermline Vikings Dundee Comets Dundee Tigers Durham City Wasps Durham Wasps Earls Court Rangers Edinburgh Capitals (SNL) Flintshire Freeze Fylde Flyers Harringay Greyhounds Harringay Racers Hull Pirates Hull Stingrays Hull Thunder Humberside Seahawks Isle of Wight Wildcats Kilmarnock Storm Lancashire Raptors Liverpool Leopards London Canadians London Lions London Knights London Racers Manchester Minotaurs Manchester Phoenix Manchester Storm (1995–2002) Medway Bears Milton Keynes Kings Moray Tornadoes Murrayfield Racers Murrayfield Racers (2018–2022) Newcastle Jesters Newcastle Vipers Niagara Ice Hockey Club Oxford Blades Peterborough Pirates Princes Ice Hockey Club Richmond Flyers Sheffield Lancers Sheffield Scimitars Sheffield Spartans Slough Jets ENL Southampton Vikings Stevenage Oilers Stevenage Sharks Stevenage Strikers Sunderland Chiefs Swindon TopCats B TDC Northern Stars Telford Tigers ENL Telford Titans Wembley Lions Wembley Monarchs Wightlink Buccaneers Wightlink Raiders Wightlink Tigers Miscellaneous Great Britain men's national ice hockey team Great Britain women's national ice hockey team British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame Ice Hockey Journalists UK Related IIHF IIHF Continental Cup IIHF European Champions Cup Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=English_National_League&oldid=960928797 " Categories : English National League Defunct ice hockey leagues in
736-635: The existing regional leagues. This mainly comprised the teams of the former EPIHL that had dropped into NIHL Division 1 in 2017. The competition Champions are as follows: Follows International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules, 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. Additional discipline rules are also enforced by
768-477: 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
800-570: 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
832-450: The playoffs would then be the team promoted to Division 1. In 2017, the two conferences were reunited. 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
864-491: 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
896-600: The semi-finals of the challenge cup the following season. Stars' third season was a disappointment compared to the previous two, with a low league position and a place in the final of the Capital Cup. Season 2004–05 started off disappointing for all three Scottish teams in the BNL. The National Cup, the Keyline Cup and the Challenge Cup were no better. However, the Stars turned their season around after making
928-555: 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
960-403: 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. Division 2 has
992-478: Was approved to sit above the existing Division 1 in North and South, to be known as the National League . In the inaugural 2019–2020 season the National League comprised Basingstoke Bison , Bracknell Bees , Hull Pirates , Leeds Knights , MK Lightning , Peterborough Phantoms , Romford Raiders , Sheffield Steeldogs , Swindon Wildcats and Telford Tigers . There is no promotion to or relegation from
English National League - Misplaced Pages Continue
1024-642: 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
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