THE ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE

The Elite Ice Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Formed in 2003 it is the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom. Unlike its North American counterparts, the Elite League is not divided into conferences; teams compete in a single division. The winners qualify for the European Champions Hockey League.

The league in 2010/11 will consist of ten teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The EIHL is the only league in UK of any sport with representation from all four home nations. Several competitions fall under the jurisdiction of the Elite League. Last season the EIHL ran a total of four competitions: the league, playoffs, Challenge Cup and a one day 20:20 tournament.

Elite League teams rely heavily on players from outside the United Kingdom with the majority of these players coming from North America. For example, of the 18 players to play for the Belfast Giants last season, 8 were Canadian, 7 were British, and 3 were American. The league restricts the number of import players which can be on a team's roster at any one time, with the current limit being 11 imports (from the 2010/11 season).