Leeds Chiefs’ boss Sam Zajac keen on NIHL National season opener in Coventry

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it is not yet clear when the 2020-21 season will start, with English Ice Hockey Association bosses awaiting the latest government position on staging sport events.

The Covid-19 crisis brought an early end to last season, with the traditional Play-off Finals Weekend in Coventry also cancelled, an event which sees any profits shared between the 10 clubs.

In an attempt to recoup some of the money lost due to the cancellation of the play-offs, league bosses this week announced plans for a tournament weekend in Coventry as a ‘season-opening celebration.’

Exact details are to follow next week after the government issues its latest advice on the current lockdown, but it seems likely all 10 teams will feature over the course of three days, similar to how Super League styles its annual Magic Weekend.

The Elite League, in which Sheffield Steelers compete, has already declared it will start its season a month later than normal at the start of October, with the intention being to open with a five-game weekend tournament at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham, dubbed ‘Magic Five’.

On suggestions the second-tier could stage something similar, Chiefs’ player-coach Sam Zajac welcomed the idea.

“That would be a great way to open the season, especially if that turns out to be the first weekend of hockey after such a long time off,” said Chiefs’ boss, Zajac.

“It would be a different event to the playoffs, there wouldn’t be as much riding on it obviously, but there would still be plenty of excitement, not just for coaches and players, but for supporters being able to see all the teams over one weekend and all the new roster additions they have each made for the season ahead.”

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