As many fans will have seen the set up of the NIHL North leagues has a different look to for the 2017/18 season with a number of new teams now set to ice against Warriors in Division 1 of the Northern Section of NIHL hockey in England. With the demise of the English Premier League, Division 1 of NIHL North and South are now the 2nd tier of British hockey.
The following 10 teams will make up NIHL North Division 1 for the upcoming season.
Billingham Stars
Blackburn Hawks
Deeside Dragons
Hull Pirates
Nottingham Lions
Sheffield Steeldogs
Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks
Telford
Whitley Warriors
Fans will of course be familiar with the majority of teams in the division however there are 2 sides in the Sheffield Steeldogs and Hull Pirates who are dropping down into NIHL North having previously iced in the now defunct English Premier League. Both Pirates and Steeldogs will no doubt have Championship ambitions given their recent past experiences in the EPL.
At the time of writing it remains unclear as to the make up of the Telford organisation who will operate in NIHL North Division 1 however the Shropshire outfit look set to ice a very strong and experienced side with a number of Telford’s title winning EPL players likely to be included on their roster.
The other new name in the division is that of the Nottingham Lions who have opted to switch from the 2nd division of the Northern NIHL set up into the top league to take the place of the Sutton Sting who requested to be demoted into division 2.
Warriors General Manager and Assistant Coach Dave Holland shared his views on the new league set up.
“Whitley Warriors as an organisation are delighted to take their place in the 2nd tier of British Ice Hockey in NIHL North Division 1. Warriors have already started to prepare for the upcoming campaign securing the services of a number of players for what is set to be a very exciting and challenging season of hockey.”