Kelman has reportedly told his players to go play elsewhere for the season. If correct, that says where his mindset is.
With Martin going to play elsewhere and reading Kelman’s comments on Devils’ website, I think there’s a chance that we won’t see any hockey until late 2021.
Also, if we are fortunate to start in December, the quality of hockey could be somewhat reduced with the best players playing elsewhere.
Fingers crossed we get a season, but I’m not holding my breath.
Looking increasingly unlikely there will be a 2020/21 season at all. It will be a big challenge to the Elite League clubs to re-start in 2021. Some fans will have found other things to do and will not return. Many others will be banging on the doors to get back in and some will need to be wooed back. Clubs need to review their business model to look at how to attract fans back and make the league attractive again. Atmosphere is critical and clubs need to be able to fill their rinks or the lack of atmosphere may well deter many. Also will import players want to come back to the EIHL in 2021 or will they have found pastures new and decide to stay there, meaning EIHL clubs will have to search for up and coming imports - that could make the league more competitive and exciting. So not all doom and gloom.
On a separate theme, how will Steelers deal with those fans who have already paid for their season tickets? The offer of a carry over into next season may not be attractive to many given the harsh economic situation and others may want to see the product on offer next season before committing.
Planet Ice have announced that there'll be no hockey games with spectators in their rinks until 1st January at the earliest, with the possible exception of some pilot friendlies or maybe cup games - https://gophantoms.co.uk/important-update-to-fans/ - this presumably covers both Manchester & Coventry
Planet Ice have taken the decision that senior ice hockey will not commence in any of their rinks until the 1st January 2021, at the earliest.
They have taken this decision due to the uncertainty surrounding capacity of rinks and the potential future disruption caused by local restrictions. Equally, it is not clear what the consequences of a team member or members testing positive for COVID-19 would have on fixtures.
As a club and tenants of a Planet Ice rink, we respect their decision and acknowledge that it is of paramount importance to take every step possible to ensure the safety of everyone, whether it be rink staff, fans, players or staff.
Planet Ice will consider piloting friendlies and cup games in the run up to January 1st, to ensure rinks are prepared for larger audiences to return to the facilities when it is safe and practical to do so.
Sorry to have to say this, as I was hoping with all my heart for hockey this year, but the season just cant happen in my opinion..
It just cant, the teams will mothball and fund raise for an entire year with a view to coming back in 2021, there is no way even the strongest clubs can survive without fans, and even if by some miracle we started a season, shutting it down part way through, by region or nationally because of Covid 19 would be a disaster that would bankrupt the entire league...... To me now is the time its looking increasingly more likely that, the only way to survive is to miss the season and not gamble all the outlay on a season, that could actually spell the end of top flight hockey in the UK if it all went Pete tong....
We're due an announcement on Tuesday from the EIHL, it saddens me to say that realistically it can be only one of two possibilities. No season at all or review the situation in November to see if they can do a February to June shortened season (scrap the cup for a year and play a 36 game season plus playoffs). Any later end date and you're starting to encroach on 21/22 and any earlier start and they need to begin the prep now and things are just too uncertain for a December start date, especially as at least 2 rinks won't be available.
I’ve constantly been the most optimistic of everyone I know about the prospect of a 20/21 season in one shape or another. But recently I’m not feeling it, the country seems to be crawling back under a rock and I wonder if it might be too much to ask that we get something resembling a season. It’ll be a shame because we’d have been coming into it with some momentum, certainly more than we’ve had in recent years.
I wonder how all the European leagues currently signing up the Cardiff squad will fair, I hope they prove that it’s safe to play and attend indoor sports, and that our government follow suit sooner rather than later, not only for the sake of our sport.
I’ve constantly been the most optimistic of everyone I know about the prospect of a 20/21 season in one shape or another. But recently I’m not feeling it, the country seems to be crawling back under a rock and I wonder if it might be too much to ask that we get something resembling a season. It’ll be a shame because we’d have been coming into it with some momentum, certainly more than we’ve had in recent years.
I wonder how all the European leagues currently signing up the Cardiff squad will fair, I hope they prove that it’s safe to play and attend indoor sports, and that our government follow suit sooner rather than later, not only for the sake of our sport.
I dont think they will be able to prove its safe to attend indoor sports, the majority of evidence so far, seems to be proving the exact opposite, it may well be a controlled risk to play the sport with a great deal of precautions and constant test and tracing... but to actual attend the games! no I am afraid they will prove its not at all safe yet. I have regularly said Hockey is a massive part of my life. That is certainly true, but its not worth risking my life..
