Key vote set to determine way forward for ice hockey in UK

It will come at the end of a week billed by one leading figure as the “most important” in the sport’s history in the UK.

If EIHA members vote ‘yes’ to unification it will further pave the way for a single national governing body (NGB) to oversee the sport, ending years of division and, at various times, conflicts of interest.

On Monday, Ice Hockey UK (IHUK), which also incorporates Scottish Ice Hockey and is responsible for the GB international programme, gave its backing to the proposal.

Sport England also supports the move, while Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has written to the head of IHUK, Richard Grieveson, stating: “The current model is broken. It does not allow for clarity of role, with everyone working together to achieve an over-arching vision and objective.”

Even the top-flight, self-governing Elite League this week threw its support behind the proposal. The recent collaborative effort to secure government funding to help cover costs and/or losses incurred by the coronavirus pandemic showed that collaboration between the various bodies could be effective.

So far, only the EIHL has been granted access to funding, with £4m on offer to the five English-based clubs – including Sheffield Steelers – if they can stage some kind of competition from early 2021 onwards.

It’s understood a separate application for financial support by the EIHA has been submitted.

IHUK chief Grieveson insisted earlier this week that the proposal for one NGB – criticised by some because of its timing – was not a merger or a takeover of the game, simply a “new start”.

“It’s a new separate body with new people at the helm, driving the sport forward and that’s incredibly important,” said Grieveson.

“For me, it’s a last meaningful chance for a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a fit-for-purpose structure for our sport.

“It has always been the aim to have one new neutral unified governing body for our sport to deliver on the potential that ice hockey has in the UK.

“I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say this week is one of the most important in the history of the sport.”

Leeds Chiefs’ player-coach Sam Zajac hopes having just the one NGB – should it eventually get the green light – could finally see the sport realising its full potential.

“I don’t know all the ins and outs but, from the outside looking in, if you can get everybody under the same umbrella and pulling in the same direction with the same objectives, it can only be a good thing for our sport,” said Zajac.

“The key thing is getting the right people in the right positions, working where they are bmost effective and where they can offer the most.

“It is a minority sport over here but I don’t think it can help having such a fractured leadership. If this is something that can lead to the game being run better then great.”

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