"The ISL Board members have given Newcastle Jesters every opportunity and every assistance to rectify the matters with regard to outstanding debts, but there comes a time when the league needs to move forward and that time has now come. The remaining clubs are strong in their resolve in developing ISL."

Although there is no word from the superleague, IceHockey UK have announced that GB will be happy to accept the invitation from the superleague to be this season's All Star Team. More details to follow.

Metcalfe was a first round selection (20th overall) of the Edmonton Oilers in the 1985 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The native of Toronto, Ontario made appearances with the Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL. Metcalfe played 499 games with Sabres affiliate, the Rochester Americans, posting 349 points on 137 goals and 212 assists and is eighth on the franchise�s all-time scoring list.

The Giants will be looking to increase their lead at the top of the table when they entertain the Manchester Storm tonight at the Odyssey Arena before travelling to Manchester on Sunday for the return match.

Canadian McSorley and brother Marty, who has spent 17 seasons playing in the NHL, are planning to take over the Devils British National League team. The McSorley brothers are keen to run the Cardiff team and end the turmoil that has surrounded the club during the last few months.

The plan is for the McSorley brothers to take over the Devils team, renting ice time from lease-holders Reds (Wales) Properties Ltd. McSorley wants the backing of the fans and says: "I will be coming to Wales next week to talk to fans. Either everybody is in - or I am out." If McSorley is satisfied that the fans will get behind him he will sign the deal as soon as possible. If not, he will walk away from a deal brokered by BNL officials.

Rumour - Cardiff Devils.
There are rumours that the Cardiff Devils could be rejoining the Sekonda Superleague under the guidance of Ex-London Coach Chris and his brother Marty McSorley. The rumour seems to have started with Dave Simms mentioning it on the Steelers hotline, so we will wait and see what happens. Stay posted.

Game Ban for Schulte.
Following Paxton Schulte fight with our own Barry Nieckar last night, Schulte has been handed a one game suspension by the Superleague as it was his 6th fighting penalty of the season, he is also fined �250.

This was decided at the season's first meeting of the Coaches and General Managers Committee. During the meeting, Panthers GM - Gary Moran was re-elected as chairman, while the committee asked Giants coach Dave Whistle to represent them at the Rules Advisory Body.

The owners at the Whitley Warriors club invited Glenn Mulvenna, director of hockey at the crisis-hit Newcastle Jesters, to put together a team for the match to aid players hit by the team's ongoing problems. Former Newcastle players including North-East born favourite Shaun Johnson and Hilton Ruggles were due to play alongside nine Jesters players in the game at Hillheads, Whitley Bay, next Wednesday.

But Ice Hockey UK (IHUK), the sport's governing body in this country, has left the clubs fuming with its warning of strong action should the game go ahead. As part of a pay dispute, which has been ongoing at Newcastle since February, the Ice Hockey Superleague has banned the club from registering players or gaining international transfer cards for new signings.

IHUK general manager Jill Short warned: "Should they play against our instructions, both Whitley and Newcastle stand a very good chance of being thrown out of hockey altogether by the International Ice Hockey Federation."

Tony Hand admitted "We are sorry to lose Nate he is a fine player and we wish him well, I am sure we will hear good reports about him in the super league." when asked if this was a setback Tony added "The high calibre of players at the stars will always attract interest from superleague clubs, and we will never stand in a players way if he feels the move is right for him."

DiPietro, a former Boston University standout, was the first goaltender ever to be selected as the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft.

His Bridgeport debut will mark DiPietro's first action in the AHL. The acquisition of former Stanley Cup winner Chris Osgood enabled the NHL team to allow DiPietro to hone his skills in the AHL, the world's premier developmental league.

To add to their disappointment, photo- copies of the cheques, dated September 27, had been faxed to the Jesters office at the Telewest Arena from the London head- quarters of the team's parent company, Fablon Investments. The Jesters face being thrown out of the Superleague because they owe the members of last season's roster approximately �150,000 and face legal action from the Ice Hockey Players' Association as a result.

Still to take to the ice, the Jesters have until October 17 to meet their liabilities or face the consequences. News of the latest payment hitch came as no surprise to the IHPA's executive director Jo Collins. She said: "The way Fablon/European Sports Holdings/Eye Group, whatever they are called, treat their staff in Newcastle is appalling. "They just don't seem to care."

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