BLACKBURN Hawks today reacted "cautiously" to speculation that a new national ice hockey Super League could be up and running by the start of next season.

Hawks, currently striving to win Premier League status under the long-established British Ice Hockey Association, feel that a Super League WILL happen...but later rather than sooner.

BIHA were down to meet today to discuss the merits of the Super League which is being mooted by potential "breakaway" clubs including Manchester, Sheffield, Durham and Cardiff.

All existing BIHA clubs are, subject to agreed criteria, understood to be invited to apply for Super League membership.

Hawks team manager Mike Cockayne said: "We are aware of what is going on and I would imagine that "criteria" concerns clubs financial capability.

"I doubt whether a Super League can happen as quickly as is being made out. For a start it would have to run hand in hand with the BIHA for the International Ice Hockey Federation only recognises one official body per country.

"As far as we are concerned we intend to keep tabs on the situation and it goes without saying that our ultimate goal is to stage the best standard of ice hockey we can here at the Arena.

"We are ambitious, but there is a fear that a Super League could become an all-Canadian type affair."

Meanwhile Hawks are anxiously awaiting the fate of troubled Peterborough Pirates who look set to go to the wall due to financial pressures.

If that does happen Hawks, currently six points clear of the field, would stand to lose four points as they have already secured two wins over Peterborough this season.

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