The 10 member teams of the Elite Ice Hockey League have outlined a roadmap for a return to ice hockey following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Plans, which have been approved by all teams would allow pre-season games for the 2020/21 season to return in November with the regular season starting with the 'Magic 5' Weekend on December 5th & 6th.
The Magic 5 would see all ten clubs will play a meaningful derby game which will count towards total points at the end of season.
READ MORE: Glasgow Clan CEO gives update on recruitment, Intu and the future of the league
The regular season would end on the weekend of May 1st/2nd followed by the Playoff Quarter-Finals and then the Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham on May 15th/16th.
A fixtures meeting has been tentatively scheduled for the beginning of September.
Commenting on the latest development, EIHL Chairman Tony Smith said: "There are two factors that we need to consider with any return to play plan: 1) We need 6 to 8 weeks from the time we know we can play in order to complete our teams, get work visas in place, book flights, buy equipment, etc.; 2) We need our fans.
"We cannot play behind closed doors or with very limited capacity, it just isn’t an option."
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All ten teams are committed to playing the 2020/21 season, although a final decision on being able to resume top-flight ice hockey games in December with crowds will be led by the guidance from the UK Government and devolved administrations.
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