David Hand has reaffirmed Scottish Ice Hockey’s commitment to the creation of one governing body for the sport in the United Kingdom.

The SIH chairman has confirmed that the board and member clubs are eager to unify, but he has stressed that the current process is a final opportunity to put in place a new model of governance.

He said: “SIH has been committed to the unification process for eight years.

“The membership remain of the view that the benefits of one single body for the sport will allow for a coordinated and integrated approach and the opportunity to maximise opportunities such as external funding streams that are currently unavailable to us.

“However, the membership is clear that if the vote to unify the sport is not approved then Scottish Ice Hockey will re-establish as a separate association.

“The clubs in Scotland have been patient but our view is that the current model is just not sustainable.

“If the vote does not go through, we need clarity and confidence for the future – and we have Ice Hockey UK’s support to establish as a separate entity that will affiliate with them as a separate association.

“If this happens then the opportunity to unify will be lost. I urge all EIHA clubs to get behind the proposal and vote to unify.”

(Image permission: David Strover)