Top flight ice hockey set to slide into Glasgow with formation of Braehead Clan

Mar 4 2010 By Matthew Leslie

Braehead Clan

BAREHEAD Arena is set to host top-flight ice-hockey next season after the UK Elite league gave the thumbs up to a new Scottish franchise.

The Braehead Clan will be Scotland's second Elite league team and a new rival to the Edinburgh Capitals.

A group of Elite League ice hockey club owners headed by Nottingham's Neil Black has formed a new company to run the team out of Braehead Arena. The identity of the club's general manager and coach will be announced shortly.

Black said: "This is a fantastic shot in the arm for Scottish and British ice hockey.

"People should be in no doubt that ice hockey as a sport is being strengthened and developed with an expanded league of nine teams.

"And there will undoubtedly be a great rivalry between the west and east of Scotland Elite League teams when the Capitals and Braehead Clan clash on the ice."

This is backed up by Edinburgh Capitals owner Scott Neil, who said: "It's great news for ice hockey fans in Glasgow that we'll now have a Scottish east versus west rivalry in the Elite League.

"I can't wait to savour the atmosphere both here in Edinburgh and at Braehead when the two teams play each other."