will there be a EIHL next season?

[Jayboy]

Its getting harder and harder to understand how and when or even IF Ice hockey in the UK will actually begin again, with speculation across all of social media that the EIHL will actually miss a season, is that even possible?

There is a great deal of issues need to be sorted out for the Elite league to start in September!

[Keith Sheppard]

There is much speculation that music venues may not reopen until sometime next year. A lot of the Arenas who host ice hockey matches are also music venues. I can’t see them being allowed to host hockey games while music events are banned. While leagues such as football’s Premier league may be able to play behind closed doors and function in some form, (they could make some money through televising their games). I don’t see this as being any way near a solution for the EIHL.
There is also the issue of imports being allowed to leave their country and likewise, being allowed to enter the U.K. This all of course depends on the situation nearer the time. Time is short and must be causing serious problems for the EIHL in particular with their predominantly imported teams. I would guess we will have a clearer indication of how things are going to be managed sometime in June. Sorry if this post sounds a bit pessimistic, I’m normally optimistic but I feel these unprecedented times need to be approached with realism. Stay safe everyone!

[Jarv]

I can't see there being any hockey this side of New year. I really hope i am wrong. The EFL have been advising clubs that they will likely have to play behind closed doors until the new year .

I may be miles off and new cases will drop to zero and the government will become amazing at tracking and tracing and everything will be back to normal but i just don't believe it will and until there is a vaccine or some sort of magic treatment it just doesn't make sense for several thousand people to congregate in a building like the arena.

I hope the league do manage to get a season of some sort in, as long as it's safe for players, staff and fans alike.

[Jayboy]

There is much speculation that music venues may not reopen until sometime next year. A lot of the Arenas who host ice hockey matches are also music venues. I can’t see them being allowed to host hockey games while music events are banned. While leagues such as football’s Premier league may be able to play behind closed doors and function in some form, (they could make some money through televising their games). I don’t see this as being any way near a solution for the EIHL.
There is also the issue of imports being allowed to leave their country and likewise, being allowed to enter the U.K. This all of course depends on the situation nearer the time. Time is short and must be causing serious problems for the EIHL in particular with their predominantly imported teams. I would guess we will have a clearer indication of how things are going to be managed sometime in June. Sorry if this post sounds a bit pessimistic, I’m normally optimistic but I feel these unprecedented times need to be approached with realism. Stay safe everyone!

Keith has it spot on for me, as much as I hope it can happen I just cant see how it could, it just seems impossible considering the club would normally work solid in the off season from April with a clear direction going forward building the team... maybe impossible isn't fair at this stage, but definitely improbable, especially if the league dont know until June/July time?
and the uncertainty of this all will not help the clubs around the league selling season tickets either, thats a considerable lump sum for most clubs that keeps them ticking over in the off season and ongoing in the regular season...

[steelpuckz]

I could only see a curtailed, mini-season starting some time in the New Year - or a season that runs into the summer. Also, how will the clubs be affected if their owners' businesses are badly affected? Could they afford to put money into the luxury of an ice hockey team?

[Jayboy]

Maybe Tony can have orange Steelers masks made and hand them out each game, insisting everyone wears them

[davestag]

I’m gunna go against the grain and say I think there will be. Possibly spectators wearing masks. I work in healthcare distribution and the tide seems to be changing.

Maybe rose tinted glasses. But I honestly think there will be a full season

[Jayboy]

I’m gunna go against the grain and say I think there will be. Possibly spectators wearing masks. I work in healthcare distribution and the tide seems to be changing.

Maybe rose tinted glasses. But I honestly think there will be a full season

I hope your right, but only for the right reasons... I would much rather be safe than sorry...

[smbmetal]

Looking on the optimistic side, I do think there is a chance that we might be able to see a new ice hockey season starting around October time.

Perhaps a slightly shorter season.

Attending games will be vastly different I think. I can see only half of the arena available to try and keep spectators further apart and then the use of live streaming or webcasts for fans that want to watch the game.

I would advise against purchasing a season ticket at this stage until further details are available.

[SteelerBlade]

I think there will be but in a reduced format.

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