The Irish Ice Hockey League, which ran from 2007 to 2010, was the highest league tier of ice hockey in Ireland. While amateur leagues had existed since the early 1980s, the league was founded in 2007/2008 by the Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA). The league collapsed in 2010 following the closure of the Dundalk Ice Dome.
History Following on from the construction of Dundalk Ice Dome and the success of the Division 3 Ice Hockey World Championship held in Dundalk during April 2007, the IIHA announced the formation of an all new, all-Ireland Ice Hockey League. At that time, the five teams in the league played all of their regular season games at the Dundalk Ice Dome. The league's inaugural champions were the Dundalk Bulls who won the 2007–08 title by defeating the Dublin Rams 6-3.
Prior to the Irish Ice Hockey League's formation, the only Ice Hockey team in Ireland playing competitive hockey was the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League. Other Irish hockey players, seeking to play the sport at a competitive level, had to travel abroad.
The league collapsed during the 2009-2010 season, with the closure of the Dundalk Ice Dome. From 2010, some games were played at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. The league is now played under the Irish Ice Hockey Association at an amateur level.
List of teams Former clubs, previously involved in the Irish Ice Hockey league, included: Belfast City Bruins Belfast Giants Dublin Rams Dundalk Bulls Junior Belfast Giants Latvian Hawks
Seasons 2007–08 The 2007–08 season' was the first season of the Irish Ice Hockey League. Five teams participated in the league, and the Dundalk Bulls won the championship.
Standings Club GP W L SOW SOL GF–GA Pts 1. Dundalk Bulls 15 14100192:3442 2. Dublin Rams 16 1140199:9634 3. Flyers IHC 16 781080:14623 4. Belfast City Bruins 14 4100065:10712 5. Latvian Hawks 14 1130055:1123
Playoffs Semifinals Dundalk Bulls 26 - Latvian Hawks 4 Dublin Rams 4 - Flyers IHC 1
Final: Dundalk Bulls 6 - Dublin Rams 3
Source:2008 season on SFRP's Hockey Archive
2008–09 The 2008–09 season was the second season of the Irish Ice Hockey League. Six teams participated in the league, and the Dundalk Bulls won the championship.
Regular season Club GP W L T GF–GA Pts 1. Dublin Rams 15 96088:5633 2. Dundalk Bulls 111001113:1632 3. Latvian Hawks 12 921101:3730 4. Belfast Giants 13 49055:11920 5. Dublin Wolves 11 38040:10016 6. Flyers IHC 12 111028:971
Playoffs The league was cancelled mid-season, and the Dundalk Bulls were named champions.
Source:2009 season on SFRP's Hockey Archive
2009–10 The 2009–10 season was the third season of the Irish Ice Hockey League. Five teams participated, but season was abandoned partway through, and the Charlestown Chiefs were declared champions.
Regular season Club GP GF–GA Pts 1. Charlestown Chiefs 6 67:1415 2. Dundalk Bulls 6 54:2314 3. Flyers IHC 4 14:253 4. Dublin Rams 4 10:393 5. CastleReigh Spartans 4 9-540
Source:2010 season on SFRP's Hockey Archive
References
External links Irish Ice Hockey Association website (archived 2010) Flyers IHC (archived 2007)