Roster regulations confirmed for 2023/24

Photo: Andy Burnham

The Elite Ice Hockey League’s 10 member teams have agreed and confirmed the roster regulations for the 2023/24 season.

The number of players on a gameday roster will remain at 20, comprised of 18 skaters and two netminders. A maximum of 15 non-homegrown players (imports) will be permitted on each team’s game day roster in the 2023/24 season.

There is no change to the overall roster size for the season, which remains at 29 players including two-way players, but excluding injured reserve cover. The total number of non-homegrown players a team may sign in one season (excluding injured reserve cover) remains at 20.

"We want to continue to improve the competitiveness and standard of the product which saw record crowds and over a million spectators during the 2022/23 season," explained Chairman Tony Smith. "As a league, every team is committed to making the EIHL the best level of hockey that it can be, and we're sure our fans will be excited to see teams back on the ice in September.

"We are delighted to support the Great Britain National Team and proud that 90% of the players that won promotion to the elite group at this year's World Championships played in our league, as well as coaches. As the biggest indoor sport in the UK, we're keen to work with Ice Hockey UK to further the development of British players coming through junior systems across the country and keep Team GB at the highest level of world ice hockey for as long as possible.

“We will be continuing discussions with Ice Hockey UK over the coming weeks to help form a joint strategy for the short, medium and long-term development of GB talent to fulfil this ambition.”

Clifton Wrottesley, Ice Hockey UK Chair said "All parties acknowledge that, for instance, import levels have a significant effect on GB’s ability to develop home grown talent to the required level for the Elite League and the National Team. But we also acknowledge that Imports have played a significant role in helping the National Team get up to and back to the top tier of the World Championships. 

"Import levels is one of several topics that we will all be turning our minds to when we meet."