Sheffield Steelers: Meeting next week could determine if EIHL ice hockey returns for 2020/21 season

All 10 clubs will have their say on whether they think it's viable for them to potentially take part...given the fact there seems little specific guidance coming from governmental coronavirus advisors at this stage.

It is unlikely that the board meeting will resolve all issues and a full statement is not expected afterwards.

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But if enough clubs express a desire to possibly take part in a new year 'slimmed-down' competition, that could still be a successful "Plan B" - one that Sheffield Steelers owner and EIHL chairman Tony Smith talked about recently.

Plan A is a season starting around December 5.

Plan B could be one from January or February to June or even July.

All clubs are facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty, caused by the pandemic.

Cardiff Devils have announced "with a heavy heart" that talisman Joey Martin is quitting for Norwegian side Stavanger Oilers.

They posted: "We are not treating this as a departure from the club, but rather a year out due to the pandemic."

They also added: "Rest assured we are doing everything we can to get hockey back this season and whether it’s December or Jan or Feb or next September, we will be back stronger than ever."

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So who are the clubs who would be most receptive to a shorter season?

Well, we could soon be about to find out.

My guess - and it is simply that - would be that Cardiff and Sheffield would embrace that idea, along with Belfast Giants, Coventry Blaze and Guildford Flames.

On the other side of the coin, I'd speculate that Nottingham Panthers, Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers and Manchester Storm might feel that the season is a no-goer in any format, given a lack of encouragement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Meanwhile, ex Steelers hero Mathieu Roy has signed for American ECHL side Kalamazoo Wings.

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