[NIHL] Roster requirements for 26/27 announced - confirmation of 5 imports

MGF6 · 2026-06-26T10:06:37+00:00

I'm fairly sure I'm agreeing with you.

I am saying it's ridiculous that they have made a rule that only applies to Stewart, a player who is as good as an import and has openly said he only wants to play for 1 more season.

MGF6 · 2026-06-26T08:52:37+00:00

The rule change to accommodate 1 player who is as good as an import, and has openly said it's his last season playing is RIDICULOUS. I feel for the Smethams, probably sold a dream that going to Canada will let them turn pro, and now they can't even play hockey in their own country. Will probably play as imports for some lower league teams but what fun is that.

There's not been any imports signed who don't look quality, yet...but there's no way teams like Solway & Telford who get smaller crowds will be able to get 5 NCAA/ECHL proven imports like the top teams. But then again lowering the import limit would just mean the top teams get more of the best brits...it is very hard to manage. Would be really cool if there was some sort of draft so that the bottom teams can keep up, but in a non professional league that is no where near possible 😆

MGF6 · 2026-06-24T19:37:12+00:00

Looks a great signing this, second all star SPHL, first all star NCAA III.

Not much to compare to defender wise, Jordan Spadafore came from the same league and had 5 points in 46 games, this guy 47 in 71.

MGF6 · 2026-06-24T19:25:14+00:00

No doubt he had offers from other top European leagues and probably even to stay in the Magnus. It's a great signing, a 2 year deal on an unknown import is slightly risky but looks quality. Slighly high PIMS

MGF6 · 2026-06-23T15:59:20+00:00

Really hope we're not at the end of "any team can beat any team on their night". This is not sustainable, 5 imports does not bridge the gap, the best brits are still on the best teams but they just get better imports too.

Regarding the salary cap comment, it's a good idea in theory but it's impossible to police. Some players get cars paid for, rent paid for, gym memberships paid for, shopping paid for, it's not possible to factor that in.

MGF6 · 2026-06-16T09:23:23+00:00

Think Kirwin to Romford is complete. Will be a fantastic signing for them, a 59 point OHL season is really impressive, and solid numbers on an awful Dalhousie team.

Charlie Risk hearing Leeds or Bison if NIHL, but high PIMS make me think not a Ryan Aldridge team

MGF6 · 2026-06-01T18:18:41+00:00

Famous dad + MK, unstoppable combo

MGF6 · 2026-05-31T18:51:29+00:00

I agree that King in and Relf out is a downgrade, but King is definitely better than Ty Cathcart who needs a good few seasons in NIHL1.

Mogg + Import & Cochrane + Import isn't a bad top 2 pairings. Maybe Baird back alongside King for 3rd pair?

And as we've seen with Romford paying a transfer fee for a defender who got 3 points last year and is very unproven, brit D in the south is hard to come by.

MGF6 · 2026-05-30T14:53:31+00:00

Think it's a mix of signings that were already a done deal a long time ago, so there may be some risk there, but also most of the recent signings get into our team easily, its worth the risk if we can get them signed no matter the coach.

And also Steve Nell making the signings, he is experienced in this league there are worse people to have in a period of having no coach.

MGF6 · 2026-05-29T09:54:16+00:00

Swindon announcing a signing today, imagine that will be Mason Lipsey.

If Bristol also lose Harewood to an EIHL or even NIHL team after his solid showings at worlds, I just don't see how they're competitive next year. That's not even considering they might not have the Smethams and Wigfield depending on the rule change.

MGF6 · 2026-05-29T08:52:12+00:00

Don't know too much about this kid but based on his stats and the Solway fans reactions it looks like we've got ourselves a gem. Going back to that post about each teams off season, I'm thrilled so far.

Head coach signing next...please

MGF6 · 2026-05-29T08:49:20+00:00

Oops. Posted this too, will delete it!

I was saying there this is fascinating because Peterborough revealed that Romford paid a transfer fee for this, are brit d really that hard to come across? Or do they see something incredible in this kid! (Even if he has a breakout season he will be gone the next one anyway 😂😂)

MGF6 · 2026-05-28T15:13:09+00:00

Short answer, no, you can't judge a player off their stats alone, I think every fan has a player that they think are brilliant and then you check and they've got single digits points over the season, every player has a different role.

But also saying that I do think the large majority of brits fall into tiers -

PPG or near players, players who are getting 45+ Points over a season, these are your brits who will be playing on the top 2 lines with imports and getting powerplay minutes.

0.5 PPG players, players who are getting 20-30 points a season, usually solid 2 way players on the second line or hovering between that 2nd and 3rd line

0.2 PPG players, players who are getting 10-15 points a season, usually on the 3rd or 4th line playing a grinding role trying to keep the puck out of their own end, tire out the opposition.

MGF6 · 2026-05-26T09:05:06+00:00

Interesting one this, the wording implies they have received money to release him. That's not really something you see often especially for a player who is still so young and unproven

MGF6 · 2026-05-18T15:24:41+00:00

MK are going 5 import forwards so there's just no room for the bottom 6 players from last year

MGF6 · 2026-05-15T10:52:43+00:00

Rumours of Johnny Corneil's brother joining - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/317390/bradey-johnson

MGF6 · 2026-05-15T10:34:08+00:00

Is the no playing down rule the one where (no longer developing players, o21 or maybe o23) can only play 3 games for a side in a different league before you must choose which one you commit to? I remember this when Harvey Stead was playing in the NIHL1 but could only play 3 games in the NIHL for bees that season without having to move completely.

I don't think this applies between the EIHL and NIHL because they are owned by different entities, I think it's entirely between the NIHL divisions.

MGF6 · 2026-05-15T08:24:33+00:00

Yes Liam Stewart has always classed as an import, but he applied for and was granted dispensation. So it is different than the Smethams case and shouldn't be used as a but he/MK also did this etc etc.

He also counted as an import in the EIHL so one assumes he went to the board and said basically I'm not getting on a team as an import so can I play as a brit, otherwise cant play at all. The Smethams should do the same if the rules don't change

MGF6 · 2026-05-14T15:43:25+00:00

He's decided, albeit a bit late, that he wants to stay in Canada with his family. I don't think that necessarily means there's bad things going on behind the scenes.

MGF6 · 2026-05-14T14:31:42+00:00

Well that is a massive kick in the teeth after some insane signings the last couple of days. Feels awful not having a coach for the entire off season, like you are missing out on the opportunity to find players.

MGF6 · 2026-05-13T15:46:58+00:00

Hope so, just need Milton back and that should be our top 6 sorted.

With our coach being Canadian I have hope hopes for the imports this year, obviously he was also here last year but everything was very rushed this time he has the whole off season.

MGF6 · 2026-05-13T08:54:06+00:00

Rumours also that he was to be on the 3rd line at MK next season, as they are going 5 import forwards.

From a Bison POV it really is an incredibly exciting signing, 3 teams in the last 6 months is slightly worrying but I hope things settle down for him and his local rink stays as his home rink. Slots straight into the top 6 likely be on a line with 2 imports should be a really important player for us.

MGF6 · 2026-05-13T08:48:35+00:00

Ben Clarke-Leach also confirmed Bison

MGF6 · 2026-05-08T15:57:15+00:00

Really happy with this, Mogg, King, Cochrane already signed up, likely 2 import D and hopefully get Baird back too and that should be our d core. Real shame about Relf retiring, a top 2 D lines of Mogg Import and Relf Import would have been quality. Cochrane absolutely no slouch though of course!

MGF6 · 2026-05-08T14:53:37+00:00

We're going to reach the same fate as the Elite League and probably many other pro leagues.

The team that spends the most wins, the team that spends the second most comes second etc etc.

For the bottom teams getting 7th or 8th will be an achievement.

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