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Best of Brakfast Episode 174 Yana Bolder
Tomorrow night, Slough Jets play Swindon Wildcats 2 at The Hangar but have you ever wondered the history behind the world’s fastest and most exciting indoor specator sport?
Ice hockey might feel like a North American import, but the sport has a long and surprisingly rich history in the UK. From packed London arenas in the 1930s to today’s passionate EIHL crowds, ice hockey has quietly carved out its place in British sporting culture.
Where Ice Hockey Began
Ice hockey as we know it developed in Canada in the late 19th century, combining elements of stick-and-ball games played on frozen lakes and rivers. The fast pace, physicality, and skill quickly made it popular, and the sport began spreading internationally in the early 20th century.
Ice Hockey Arrives in Britain
The UK embraced ice hockey earlier than many people realise. Purpose-built ice rinks began opening in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in London and the south of England. Teams like the Wembley Lions, Streatham, and Harringay Racers became household names, drawing large crowds and regular newspaper coverage.
At its peak before the Second World War, ice hockey was one of the most attended indoor sports in the country, with packed arenas and intense local rivalries.
Britain’s Greatest Ice Hockey Moment
British ice hockey reached its absolute high point at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where Great Britain won gold, famously defeating Canada along the way. It remains one of the most remarkable achievements in British sporting history and a moment many fans still reference with pride today.
Post-War Decline and Revival
After the war, interest declined as rinks closed and other sports took centre stage. But ice hockey never disappeared. Through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, leagues rose and fell, including the British National League and later the Ice Hockey Superleague, which brought bigger crowds and overseas stars back to UK rinks.
The Modern Era and the EIHL
In 2003, the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) was formed and remains the UK’s top professional league today. Teams like the Belfast Giants, Nottingham Panthers, Cardiff Devils, and Sheffield Steelers lead the way, while strong grassroots clubs and passionate local teams keep the sport alive across the country.
UK ice hockey today blends British talent with international players, creating a fast, physical, and highly entertaining game that continues to grow its fanbase.
Why Ice Hockey Still Matters
For fans, ice hockey offers something unique: speed, skill, contact, and a real sense of community. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or someone attending your first game, the energy inside an ice rink is hard to beat.
From Olympic glory to local rivalries, ice hockey in the UK has a story worth telling—and it’s still being written every time the puck drops.
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A convicted terrorist has admitted setting fire to two leisure activity centres in Slough. Ilyas Akhtar, twenty one, admitted arson attacks at Slough Ice Arena in May last year and at Salt Hill Activity Centre later that month. The Old Bailey heard he was reckless as to whether life would be endangered. Appearing by video link from Belmarsh prison, he had previously admitted preparation for terrorist acts. England white ball […]
