Paisley Pirates gear up for league revamp
Paisley Pirates will be playing in a new look SNL next season after plans for a new format were voted through.
The format will be adopted immediately for the upcoming season, with sides across the leagues already in preparations for the new campaign.
The league will replicate the rules and regulations of the NIHL North and South in order to align with what has now become the new tier two of the British Ice Hockey set-up.
A British Ice Hockey spokesman explained the changes:“The most notable change will be the introduction of up to two non-British trained players. The SNL clubs have voted to phase this in by introducing one non-British trained player in year one (season 2017/18).”
The vote has been met with open arms by the league chairman David Hand, who hopes it will allow the league to continue to flourish.
Hand said:“I’m delighted that the changes have been introduced which will allow Scottish hockey to improve and develop and provide the same level of opportunity as exists south of the border.
“At its next meeting, the IHUK board will now discuss how we maximise the opportunity to rebrand and relaunch the leagues, following agreement by all to replicate playing rules and regulations.
“This is the right thing for British Ice Hockey and a positive statement from all in terms of unification.”