British Elite Ice Hockey League

The British Elite Ice Hockey League is one of Britain's two senior ice hockey leagues. The league consists of Basingstoke Bison, Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, London Racers, Manchester Phoenix, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers. Newcastle Vipers and Edinburgh Capitals will join the Elite League for the 2005–06 season.

The league was formed in 2003 after the demise of the 'import' dominated Superleague. It consists of three teams from the old Superleague, three teams who joined from the British National League and two new teams.

The league's first season got under way in September 2003 after much wrangling over the league's affiliation with Ice Hockey UK and arguments over the future of several of the clubs, mostly the Nottingham Panthers.

Manchester Phoenix will not contest the 2004–05 season while a new venue for the team is being prepared while the league schedule will include games against teams from the British National League in what is seen by many to be the first steps towards a merger of the two organisations.

On March 5 2005 The Times reported that ten NHL players were temporarily playing in the elite league, and published some figures on salaries and attendances:

• Average attendance: 2,500
• Average payroll: £350,000 per annum
• Average salary: £21,000 per annum

Champions

External Links

• Official Site
• Basingstoke Bison
• Belfast Giants
• Cardiff Devils
• Coventry Blaze
• Edinburgh Capitals
• London Racers
• Manchester Phoenix
• Newcastle Vipers
• Nottingham Panthers
• Sheffield Steelers