Stars join Elite to make it 'perfect 10'

SHEFFIELD STEELERS' GM Mike O'Connor believes the entrance of Dundee Stars into the Elite League is further evidence that the UK game's top level is getting stronger.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2010, 00:55 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2010, 01:02 BST

The Scottish side played for four years in the second-tier British National League until its collapse in 2005 and last season finished third in the Northern Ice Hockey League.

But a desire to return to a higher level of hockey saw their application to join the Elite League ratified by officials at a meeting yesterday, meaning 10 teams will compete at the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

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It is in stark contrast to 12 months ago when the league was left with just eight clubs after Manchester Phoenix and Basingstoke Bison switched to the English Premier League.

"It's great news for the league, especially when you compare it to the situation 12 months ago," said O'Connor.

"It's good for the UK game as a whole and also for the rivalry between the three Scottish clubs."

League chairman, Eamon Convery, added: "It proves the sport and the league is going from strength to strength.

"More teams means more people talking about the sport and we have seen over the last few years a huge increase in the sport's popularity in the UK."

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