What is DOPS?
The Department of Player Safety (DOPS) is an independent body overseen by the EIH that manages disciplinary matters within the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). The Game Review Panel reviews on-ice incidents and applies further penalties if necessary, with a focus on player safety.

What does the Game Review Panel do?
The Game Review Panel automatically reviews all five-minute major penalties. Their role is to assess whether the penalty given during the game was sufficient or if further action is required. If further action is necessary, the case is escalated to the DOPS panel for review.

Who are the Game Review Panel members?
The Game Review Panel is composed of two experienced, retired referees who have officiated at the highest level in British ice hockey:

• Dave Cloutman
• Matt Thompson

What types of penalties are reviewed by the Game Review Panel?
Game Review Panel reviews serious penalties, including:

• All five-minute major penalties.
• Game Misconduct penalties.
• Checking to the Head, Checking from Behind or Boarding.
• Major and Game Misconduct penalties

How does the review process work?
Game footage must be uploaded to the official Instat / Hudl platform by 11 PM on the day of the game. Ideally, footage of the first two periods should be uploaded during intermissions, and the final period immediately after the game. The Game Review Panel only uses official footage for reviews—social media or fan videos are not accepted.

What happens if the Game Review Panel decides further action is necessary?
If the Game Review Panel determines that additional disciplinary action is required, DOPS and the affected teams are notified promptly. For penalties in Saturday games, decisions are communicated by 12 noon on Sunday, allowing teams to prepare accordingly for their next game.

What if game footage isn’t uploaded on time?
If footage for a Saturday game isn’t uploaded by 11 PM on Saturday:

• The home team player who received the penalty will be ineligible to play until the footage is uploaded.
• The away team player can continue playing until the footage is provided by the home team.

Can teams appeal a suspension issued by DOPS?
Yes, teams can appeal Tariff 2 or suspensions. An appeal fee must be submitted, which is refunded if the appeal is successful. Tariff 1 suspensions cannot be appealed, as agreed by all NIHL teams to avoid delays and unnecessary costs.

How are fans kept informed?
When suspensions are issued following Friday or Saturday games, the details will be posted the next day on:

• The NIHL website
• The NIHL Social Media mediums
• EIH website

The Planet Ice NIHL National Ice Hockey League is delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of its highly anticipated new website and game management system. Set to go live tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm, this state-of-the-art platform, powered by the Czech-based eSports technology, marks a significant step forward in fan engagement and operational efficiency for the league.

Enhanced Fan Experience
The new website is designed to be the ultimate destination for fans, offering a seamless and interactive experience across all devices. Key features include:

• Comprehensive Game Data: Fans will have access to detailed game information, including venue details, officiating teams, and results broken down by period. Real-time player statistics such as goals, assists, penalty minutes, and special teams performance will be available, along with extensive goaltender stats.
• User-Friendly Design: The responsive website will feature a news-driven homepage with the latest articles and videos, a Game centre with an intuitive schedule and detailed game pages, and dedicated team sections that include rosters, schedules, and stats. This design ensures that fans can easily stay updated on their favourite teams and players, whether they are at home or on the go.

Real-Time Data Integration

One of the standout features of the new system is its integration with the NIHL Gamestats application. This allows for real-time data updates, giving fans near-live access to game events and statistics as they happen. The administration module enables the league to manage all aspects of the website efficiently, ensuring that the information presented is always up-to-date and accurate.

Launch in Time for the New Season

The initial modules of the website & game management system have been tested during the preseason games, with the full launch aligned with the start of the new season. This ensures that the platform is fully operational and ready to deliver an exceptional experience to fans from day one.

A League Spokesperson expressed enthusiasm about the new development, stating, “This platform represents a significant advancement for our league. It not only brings fans closer to the action but also provides a comprehensive, real-time overview of every aspect of the competition. We are confident that this will greatly enhance the overall fan experience.”

New official NIHL social media platform handles
Alongside the new website, we have also set up official NIHL social media platforms on Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook which will need promoting by all teams so the fans can follow the official accounts.
Twitter/X – NIHL_Official – https://x.com/NIHL_Official
Facebook – NIHL Official – https://facebook.com/NIHLOfficial
Instagram – NIHLOfficial – @nihlofficial • Instagram photos and videos
Throughout the season it would be great to collaborate on team-specific posts to help all the clubs increase their engagement on social media and further grow the NIHL.

Looking Ahead
As the Planet Ice NIHL National Ice Hockey League continues to grow in popularity, the launch of this new digital platform underscores its commitment to innovation and fan engagement. With enhanced features, real-time updates, and a user-friendly design, the league is poised to set a new standard in how fans experience ice hockey.

This Sunday, we host Invicta Dynamos, and not only will be see the return of familiar faces, it’s also kids for a quid!

Face Off 5:15pm, doors open at 4:30.

Get you tickets here https://shorturl.at/g33Tp

Can’t make it? We’ve got your covered with our stream, once again half price at just £6 https://shorturl.at/PZ8y2

You’ve asked and we’ve delivered…

Season tickets are now available in One, two or even SIX instalments.

If you want to save more money, then you can buy in one or two instalments click here https://romfordraiders.co.uk/season-tickets/

If you want to pay in SIX instalments then register your interest here and we will be in touch with payment information.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRNGnfhtnqTPqe9omGO7fDF5jf04FkOHsuu2OIaKlEEklbAw/viewform?usp=sf_link

•⁠ ⁠Your seat reserved for you all season
•⁠ ⁠⁠First refusal on seats for playoffs and extra cup matches
•⁠ ⁠⁠ First refusal on seat renewal for next season if confirmed by end of May
•⁠ ⁠⁠Free livestream for any game you cannot attend in person
•⁠ ⁠⁠ Exclusive deals later in the season to be announced for season ticket holders only!

Don’t delay, order your season to get today to guarantee your seat before the 5th of September

Just a reminder we are cashless this season, in line with The Sapphire which has been a cashless venue for several years now. This includes tickets, 50:50, chuck-a-puck and merchandise.

First home game 31st August v Peterborough Phantoms 5.15pm face off at the Sapphire.

Please help us by buying your tickets online in advance. You can still pay on the door by card but advance ticket queue is always quicker!

Kids for a Quid, spread the word!

Let’s do this, Raiders fans!

Our ticketing policy is available here https://romfordraiders.co.uk/ticketing/