Thanks to Icy for the title.

Any more comments about you know what here.

No problem R!

I was going to say on the that I wasn't entirely sure at at the start that the ownership and management of the new rink as a whole was as much down to Phoenix as all that...and now I see them referring enquiries about non-hockey ice time to a company registered at the same address as Planet Ice, I can't help but think this is even more true.

Unless someone from Phoenix can categorically refute this of couse....

The rink is half owned by the owner of Planet Ice. I understand the Altrincham General Manager, Mark Johnson, is also Planet Ice's Group General Manager. The phone number quoted by the Phoenix is in Milton Keynes.

No surprises - if PI were involved, they were always going to run the operational side - would be interested to know what priorities they were operating under eg public skating will make more money than junior hockey so I wonder who has the final say.

As I understand it, the rink is owned by 'nIce Leisure', which is a partnership company formed by PI and the Phoenix. PI will be running/managing the rink on a day to day basis, (Much like SMG manage the City of Manchester Stadium and the MEN without actually owning either of them).

(OK controversy coming up)

All of this begs the question, why then were Aces fans just told to get a non-pro senior team together yourselves or forget it, becuase the Phoenix isn't going to?

What I mean is, was there no chance of Planet Ice giving it a try?

Didn't think an ENL team had been ruled out. Thought it was just that if someone came along with the funding they'd be happy (to have or to consider) an ENL team which would ,of course, save them money if they'd decided to do it themselves in the future. This is also a get out if it doesn't happen - you had the chance to do it yourselves etc.

As for Planet Ice - why do it in Altrincham when they don't do it anywhere else? I cannot see an ENL team being truly viable behind the Phoenix with limitations on ice time, publicity etc. It needs either to be part of the development programme or would simply struggle for cash as a cheap and cheerful outfit.

The EIHL team will have the best game dates and the lions share of publicity. True the entrance cost is higher but don't underestimate the pulling power of close hockey in a rink with atmosphere.

With the arrangement between Neil Morris and Petrouis, Planet Ice will have very little to do with the hockey side except for the ice time influence as above

Thanks for the explanation..

Rick ; Go have a chat with Nipper - he'll put you right !!