Dundee welcomed into Elite League

The Dundee Stars were today officially revealed as the tenth member of the Elite Ice Hockey League following yesterdays EIHL Board meeting, with member clubs unanimously agreeing that the Scottish side should be included for the 10/11 season, the EIHL's eighth year of existence.

After weeks of speculation, the Stars, who made their official proposal by way of a short presentation, were accepted into the top flight by member clubs for the first time in their history.

Their acceptance boosts the league back up to the preferred ten teams for next season with each team meeting three times home and away for 54 game schedule, this is something EIHL Chairman Eamon Convery is particularly pleased with:

"This is a great day for the Elite League and for ice hockey in the UK. We are delighted to welcome Dundee into the Elite League and it proves the sport and the league is going from strength to strength. More teams means more people talking about the sport and we have seen over the last few years a huge increase in the sport’s popularity in the UK."

The Stars, based in Scotland's fourth largest city, are the second team from North of the border to join the Elite League for next season after the Braehead Clan were accepted into the league just under two months ago. The Clan and the Stars join the Edinburgh Capitals as the EIHL's Scottish representatives next year and it is this renewed presence in Scotland that is thought to have been key to Dundee's application to finally join the league. Convery spoke about what will be a season of local derbyies north of the border:

"It’s great there are now three teams in Scotland which means added rivalry. Ice Hockey is very much on the up in the UK at the moment and it’s a very exciting time to be a supporter of one of the now ten Elite League clubs.”

Historically, teams competing in their first season in the top flight EIHL struggle to compete, however, the important things for fans, players and management of Dundee is being accepted into the league and beginning to build something from nothing, starting with the 2010/11 season.

"We are thrilled to be joining the Elite League and are already planning ahead for the new season. These are exciting times to be a Dundee ice hockey supporter and we hope our loyal fans will back us as we take the club in this exciting new direction."

The Stars will now look to sign a coach capable of putting together a competitive roster for their debut season in the league before taking to the ice next September.