British Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The British Hockey League was the top-flight ice hockey
league in the United Kingdom
from 1982 until 1996, when it was replaced by the Ice Hockey Superleague
and the British National League
. The league replaced three regional leagues: the Inter-City League
in southern England, the English League North
in northern England and the Northern League
in Scotland.
The league was sponsored by Heineken until 1993 and during this period was best known as the Heineken League.
The league changed format several times. The top level Premier Division was formed in 1983, and a second-tier Division One was formed in 1986, being split into North and South conferences for the 87/88 and 93/94 seasons. The third-tier Division Two was founded in 1987, renamed English Division One the following season and split from the league in 1992.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
league in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1982 until 1996, when it was replaced by the Ice Hockey Superleague
Ice Hockey Superleague
The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom...
and the British National League
British National League
The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Although no formal promotion and relegation existed during its period of existence, it was considered to have a standard below that of the Ice Hockey Superleague and above that of the...
. The league replaced three regional leagues: the Inter-City League
Inter-City League
The Inter-City League, also known as the English League South, was the top-flight ice hockey league in southern England from 1978, when it alongside the English League North it replaced the Southern League...
in southern England, the English League North
English League North
The English League North was the top-flight ice hockey league in northern England from 1978, when it alongside the English League South it replaced the Southern League. In 1982, it was replaced by the British Hockey League, running on a national basis....
in northern England and the Northern League
Northern League (ice hockey, 1967)
The Northern League was the top-flight ice hockey league in Scotland and initially northern England, from 1966. In 1982 it merged with the Inter-City League and the English League North to form the British Hockey League....
in Scotland.
The league was sponsored by Heineken until 1993 and during this period was best known as the Heineken League.
The league changed format several times. The top level Premier Division was formed in 1983, and a second-tier Division One was formed in 1986, being split into North and South conferences for the 87/88 and 93/94 seasons. The third-tier Division Two was founded in 1987, renamed English Division One the following season and split from the league in 1992.
Teams
- Ayr Raiders (formerly Ayr Bruins) (82 - 92)
- Basingstoke Beavers (Now Basingstoke Bison) (93 - 96)
- Billingham BombersBillingham BombersThe Billingham Bombers are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the Stockton-on-Tees borough of Teesside. They are currently members of the English National Ice Hockey League and the Northern League. The Bombers play their home games at the Billingham Forum Ice Rink.The Bombers were...
(formerly Cleveland Bombers) (82 - 87; 90 - 93) - Bracknell BeesBracknell BeesThe Bracknell Bees are an ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.-Early years:The Bracknell Bees were formed in 1987, under the ownership of John Nike OBE. Bees began life in the Heineken League Division Two, under the leadership of former Durham Wasps and Nottingham Panthers forward, Jamie...
(91 - 95) - Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
(89 - 96) - Dundee RocketsDundee RocketsThe Dundee Rockets were an ice hockey club based in Dundee, Scotland. Founded in 1963, the club were founder members of the Northern League in 1967 and the British Hockey League in 1982. The club won eight titles before closing in 1987....
(later Dundee Tigers, then Tayside Tigers) (82 - 89) - Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
(82 - 96) - Fife FlyersFife FlyersThe Fife Flyers, established in 1938, are the oldest ice hockey team in Scotland, and also in the United Kingdom, beating the Nottingham Panthers by 8 years...
(82 - 91; 92 - 96) - Humberside Hawks (formerly Humberside Seahawks) (91 - 96)
- Milton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
(94 - 96) - Murrayfield RacersMurrayfield RacersThe Murrayfield Racers were an ice hockey team in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1952 changing their name to the Racers in 1966. The team won the British Championship 4 times in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972...
(later Edinburgh Racers) (82 - 95) - Newcastle Warriors (95 - 96)
- Nottingham PanthersNottingham PanthersThe Nottingham Panthers are a British professional ice hockey club based in Nottingham, England. They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
(82 - 96) - Peterborough PiratesPeterborough PiratesPeterborough Pirates was an English ice hockey team. It was established in 1982, as the senior adult semi-professional team of the newly formed Peterborough Ice Hockey Club....
(formerly Norwich and Peterborough Pirates) (85 - 86; 87 - 95) - Richmond FlyersRichmond FlyersThe Richmond Flyers are a defunct ice hockey team who were founded in 1977 as the London Phoenix Flyers, changing their name to Richmond Flyers in 1980...
(82 - 85) - Sheffield SteelersSheffield SteelersThe Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
(93 - 96) - Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
(95 - 96) - Solihull BaronsSolihull BaronsSolihull Barons are an English ice hockey team from the town of Solihull who play at Solihull Ice Rink on Hobbs Moat Road. They were formed in 2005, although they are named after the team of the same name who played at the same ice rink between 1972 and 1996...
(86 - 91) - Southampton VikingsSouthampton VikingsThe Southampton Vikings were an ice hockey team from Southampton, England. Their home venue was Southampton Ice Rink.The Vikings were established following the collapse of French side Club Francais Volants. The name 'Vikings' was adopted due to the new team using the shirts of the old French club...
(84 - 85) - Streatham RedskinsStreatham RedskinsThe Streatham Redskins are a British ice hockey club based in Streatham, London, England. Amongst the oldest British ice hockey teams still in existence, they were oginally founded in 1932 as Streatham, and added the name Redskins in 1974. During the 1980s, the club were one of the leading teams in...
(formerly Streatham Reds) (82 - 89) - Teesside Bombers (93 - 94)
- Whitley Warriors (82 - 95)
Champions
- 82/83 Dundee RocketsDundee RocketsThe Dundee Rockets were an ice hockey club based in Dundee, Scotland. Founded in 1963, the club were founder members of the Northern League in 1967 and the British Hockey League in 1982. The club won eight titles before closing in 1987....
- 83/84 Dundee RocketsDundee RocketsThe Dundee Rockets were an ice hockey club based in Dundee, Scotland. Founded in 1963, the club were founder members of the Northern League in 1967 and the British Hockey League in 1982. The club won eight titles before closing in 1987....
- 84/85 Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
- 85/86 Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
- 86/87 Murrayfield RacersMurrayfield RacersThe Murrayfield Racers were an ice hockey team in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1952 changing their name to the Racers in 1966. The team won the British Championship 4 times in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972...
- 87/88 Murrayfield RacersMurrayfield RacersThe Murrayfield Racers were an ice hockey team in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1952 changing their name to the Racers in 1966. The team won the British Championship 4 times in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972...
- 88/89 Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
- 89/90 Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
- 90/91 Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
- 91/92 Durham WaspsDurham WaspsThe Durham Wasps was an ice hockey team located in Durham and was one of England's most well-known names in ice hockey. The team was bought by Sir John Hall and moved to the neighbouring city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in August 1996...
- 92/93 Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
- 93/94 Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
- 94/95 Sheffield SteelersSheffield SteelersThe Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
- 95/96 Sheffield SteelersSheffield SteelersThe Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
Teams
- Aviemore Blackhawks (87 - 88)
- Ayr Raiders (92 - 93)
- Basingstoke Beavers (90 - 93)
- Billingham BombersBillingham BombersThe Billingham Bombers are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the Stockton-on-Tees borough of Teesside. They are currently members of the English National Ice Hockey League and the Northern League. The Bombers play their home games at the Billingham Forum Ice Rink.The Bombers were...
(formerly Cleveland Bombers, then Teesside Bombers) (87 - 90; 94 - 96) - Blackburn HawksBlackburn HawksThe Blackburn Hawks , are a British ice hockey team based in Blackburn, Lancashire. They are currently members of the ENIHL, and have previously played in the British National League and the English League Premier Division...
(formerly Blackburn Blackhawks) (93 - 96) - Blackpool SeagullsBlackpool SeagullsBlackpool Seagulls were an English ice hockey team, founded in 1951, who played at the Pleasure Beach Ice Rink, Blackpool.-Early years:The Seagulls were formed in 1951 and played in the Midland Intermediate League from 1951 to 1955. In the 1955-56 season they lost just one match all year...
(86 - 88) - Bournemouth Stags (86 - 87)
- Bracknell BeesBracknell BeesThe Bracknell Bees are an ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.-Early years:The Bracknell Bees were formed in 1987, under the ownership of John Nike OBE. Bees began life in the Heineken League Division Two, under the leadership of former Durham Wasps and Nottingham Panthers forward, Jamie...
(90 - 91; 95 - 96) - Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
(87 - 89) - Chelmsford Chieftans (93 - 96)
- Deeside Dragons (87 - 89)
- Dumfries Vikings (later Dumfries Border Vikings) (93 - 96)
- Fife FlyersFife FlyersThe Fife Flyers, established in 1938, are the oldest ice hockey team in Scotland, and also in the United Kingdom, beating the Nottingham Panthers by 8 years...
(91 - 92) - Glasgow Saints (formerly Glasgow Eagles) (86 - 89; 90 - 91)
- Guildford FlamesGuildford FlamesThe Guildford Flames are an ice hockey team based in Guildford, Surrey and their home ice is the Guildford Spectrum.Founded in October 1992, the team played for many years in the British National League...
(93 - 96) - Humberside SeahawksHumberside SeahawksHumberside Seahawks later known as Humberside Hawks and then Kingston Hawks, were an English ice hockey club from Kingston upon Hull. Founded during 1988 the club played their home games at Hull Arena. The club went through several name changes due to council influence...
(89 - 91) - Kirkcaldy Kestrels (86 - 87)
- Lee Valley LionsLee Valley LionsThe Lee Valley Lions are an ice hockey team based in Leyton, east London where they play out of the Lee Valley Ice Centre They are the senior Ice Hockey team at the rink which they share with the , the Eastern Stars and London Devils recreational teams and, the University of London Union Ice hockey...
(86 - 95) - Manchester StormManchester StormThe Manchester Storm were an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena . Storm won the British Hockey League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342...
(95 - 96) - Medway Bears (86 - 91; 92 - 96)
- Milton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
(91 - 94) - Murrayfield Royals (95 - 96)
- Oxford City StarsOxford City StarsThe Oxford City Stars are an ice hockey team based in Oxford, England. They currently play in the English National League, South. A second team was formed in the summer of 2010 and they compete in the English National League South Division 2.-1984-1999:...
(86 - 87; 93 - 94) - Paisley PiratesPaisley PiratesThe Paisley Pirates were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey clubs in Scotland and the UK . The Pirates were the epitome of the game in Scotland during the 1950s...
(93 - 96) - Peterborough PiratesPeterborough PiratesPeterborough Pirates was an English ice hockey team. It was established in 1982, as the senior adult semi-professional team of the newly formed Peterborough Ice Hockey Club....
(95 - 96) - Richmond FlyersRichmond FlyersThe Richmond Flyers are a defunct ice hockey team who were founded in 1977 as the London Phoenix Flyers, changing their name to Richmond Flyers in 1980...
(86 - 89) - Romford RaidersRomford RaidersThe Romford Raiders are an ice hockey team based at the 1,500 seat Romford Ice Arena in Romford, Havering, east London. They were founder members of the EPIHL but now compete in the ENIHL. Their development team was the Romford Spitfires who played in Division 2 of the ENIHL before being succeeded...
(88 - 89; 90 - 95) - Sheffield SteelersSheffield SteelersThe Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
(92 - 93) - Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
(86 - 95) - Solihull BaronsSolihull BaronsSolihull Barons are an English ice hockey team from the town of Solihull who play at Solihull Ice Rink on Hobbs Moat Road. They were formed in 2005, although they are named after the team of the same name who played at the same ice rink between 1972 and 1996...
(93 - 96) - Southampton VikingsSouthampton VikingsThe Southampton Vikings were an ice hockey team from Southampton, England. Their home venue was Southampton Ice Rink.The Vikings were established following the collapse of French side Club Francais Volants. The name 'Vikings' was adopted due to the new team using the shirts of the old French club...
(86 - 88) - Streatham RedskinsStreatham RedskinsThe Streatham Redskins are a British ice hockey club based in Streatham, London, England. Amongst the oldest British ice hockey teams still in existence, they were oginally founded in 1932 as Streatham, and added the name Redskins in 1974. During the 1980s, the club were one of the leading teams in...
(89 - 90; 93 - 94) - Sunderland Chiefs ( - 89)
- Swindon WildcatsSwindon WildcatsThe Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
( - 96) - Telford TigersTelford TigersThe Telford Tigers are an English Premier League ice hockey team that formed in 2001 under the name Telford Wild Foxes.A previous Telford Tigers team had existed between 1985 and 1999.- Early history :...
( - 96) - Trafford Metros ( - 92; 93 - 95)
Champions
- 86/87 Peterborough PiratesPeterborough PiratesPeterborough Pirates was an English ice hockey team. It was established in 1982, as the senior adult semi-professional team of the newly formed Peterborough Ice Hockey Club....
- 87/88 North - Cleveland Bombers
- 87/88 South - Telford TigersTelford TigersThe Telford Tigers are an English Premier League ice hockey team that formed in 2001 under the name Telford Wild Foxes.A previous Telford Tigers team had existed between 1985 and 1999.- Early history :...
- 88/89 Cardiff DevilsCardiff DevilsThe Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team currently plays in the temporary Cardiff Arena...
- 89/90 Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
- 90/91 Humberside SeahawksHumberside SeahawksHumberside Seahawks later known as Humberside Hawks and then Kingston Hawks, were an English ice hockey club from Kingston upon Hull. Founded during 1988 the club played their home games at Hull Arena. The club went through several name changes due to council influence...
- 91/92 Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
- 92/93 Basingstoke Beavers
- 93/94 North - Milton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
- 93/94 South - Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
- 94/95 Slough JetsSlough JetsSlough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England. They are the current English Premier Ice Hockey League Cup champions for the 2010–11 season. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough. With the help of Gary Stefan who...
- 95/96 Manchester StormManchester StormThe Manchester Storm were an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena . Storm won the British Hockey League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342...
Champions
- 87/88 Romford RaidersRomford RaidersThe Romford Raiders are an ice hockey team based at the 1,500 seat Romford Ice Arena in Romford, Havering, east London. They were founder members of the EPIHL but now compete in the ENIHL. Their development team was the Romford Spitfires who played in Division 2 of the ENIHL before being succeeded...
(Division Two) - 88/89 Humberside SeahawksHumberside SeahawksHumberside Seahawks later known as Humberside Hawks and then Kingston Hawks, were an English ice hockey club from Kingston upon Hull. Founded during 1988 the club played their home games at Hull Arena. The club went through several name changes due to council influence...
- 89/90 Bracknell BeesBracknell BeesThe Bracknell Bees are an ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.-Early years:The Bracknell Bees were formed in 1987, under the ownership of John Nike OBE. Bees began life in the Heineken League Division Two, under the leadership of former Durham Wasps and Nottingham Panthers forward, Jamie...
- 90/91 Milton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes KingsMilton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
- 91/92 Medway Bears