Door remains open to Hull Pirates as NIHL National forges ahead with nine-team season


Pirates owner Shane Smith decided to sit out 2021-22 after it became clear delays to a £1.4m refurbishment of Hull Ice Arena made icing a team financially unsustainable.
The UK’s second-tier will now go ahead with nine teams, with Hull expected to return to the fray next summer.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad

“It is a sad day for the league, yes, Shane has been in the league for quite a few years, first with Sheffield Steeldogs and then in Hull,” said Nell, who also owns rival team Swindon Wildcats.
“But Hull are still a part of the league as far as anybody is concerned. They don’t have to ask to come back in, or be voted in, they are in. As soon as Shane wants to be back, they’ll be back in and that’s how everybody has agreed it.”
Nell said he understood Smith’s decision, particularly when it wasn’t clear exactly when the Pirates would be able to start using the facility again, with the end of October expected to be the earliest possible date.
“It was too big a risk” added Nell. “It’s the sensible decision.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad

“You can get wrapped up in these things sometimes and you can let emotions take over.
“But I think it’s the right decision for Shane and Hull and, hopefully, they’ll be back next year which is what we all want. There is an open invite.”
Following Hull’s withdrawal, a revised league format will now see the Conference system scrapped, with teams playing each other a total of six times, three home and three away, producing a 48-game regular season starting October 15.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThere will also be a nine-team cup competition that will take place prior to the regular season, plus a second cup competition similar to one held in 2019-20 when the first meeting between teams counted towards cup points. The playoffs will start on April 9, with the Final Four Weekend in Coventry staged on April 30-May 1.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.