Sam Zajac retains hope Leeds Chiefs can still ice together in 2020-21 season

The Chiefs should be part way through their second NIHL National season but, since the coronavirus pandemic brought the sport to an abrupt halt back in mid-March, everything remains on hold.

The full-time, professional Elite League have essentially cancelled their 2020-21 campaign as a result, although there remains a chink of light for the Chiefs and their second-tier rivals thanks to the current ‘Streaming Series’ pilot event.

Milton Keynes Lightning, Swindon Wildcats and Sheffield Steeldogs will this weekend bring a conclusion to their behind-closed-doors tournament, which hopes to show that the live streaming of games to spectators presents a viable way forward for some kind of season for all 10 NIHL National teams, possibly from as early as January.

Online viewing figures have so far been encouraging and discussions have already taken place on staging a cup competition as early as next month, with more second-tier teams possibly taking part.

In order to be given the green light by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), however, all three teams had to attain ‘elite sport’ status, something they were only granted after meeting certain criteria, including appointing a Covid-19 officer and a specialist medical officer or physician, as well as preparing risk assessment and risk mitigation plans.

Since the series started earlier this month, two other NIHL National teams - Bracknell Bees and 2019-20 regular season champions Telford Tigers - have also been granted ‘elite sport’ status.

It remains to be seen whether Leeds and the other second-tier teams - Hull Pirates, Peterborough Phantoms, Basingstoke Bison and Raiders IHC - decide to follow suit.

Teams may opt to wait and see what the likelihood will be for a season to go ahead, with Monday’s announcement by the government regarding the possible return of fans to watch live indoor events - albeit in limited numbers - no doubt a an added factor.

Another issue to determine a team’s ability to play will be whichever level of the three-tier system due to be put in place by the government from December 2 they find themselves in, which should be known tomorrow.

It was revealed last night, following discussions between DCMS officials and representatives of the English Ice Hockey Association, the Ice Rink Managers Association and British Skating, that rinks in tier three areas would not be able to open at all.

Zajac is keen to get the ball rolling but appreciates that team owners Planet Ice, who also run the Chiefs’ Elland Road rink, will decide when the time is right for the Chiefs to apply for ‘elite’ status.

“I would like us to apply for elite status,” said Zajac. “It just means that when we are able to get back on the ice - whenever that may be - we can then go and train properly as a team.

“Whether it is in the pipeline immediately, I’m not too sure, or maybe it is something that will be more of a wait-and-see situation, to discover whether there will be any more hockey after the ‘Streaming Series’ and then apply for it.

“The sooner we can get over that little hurdle, the better and it’s just one more step on the way to getting back out on the ice. I don’t think we would have a major problem applying for it or getting it, it is just a case of when is the right time to do it.

“I would imagine that as soon as the likelihood of any competitive hockey is on the horizon, that is probably when all of the other teams – not just us – have got to be looking to apply.”

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