LAST April the Elite League put into motion that the number of import players playing at the top level would increase year-on-year.

This season the quota of non British-trained players allowed in the roster increased from 11 to 12 and that is set to increase again next term to 13, and again in 2016-17 to 14.

Personally, I would prefer not to have the increase because I think for a lot of the younger players it is just another hurdle they have got to jump over to get into that league.

I’m sure it won’t affect the development of British players too badly but I would prefer it if they kept it the way it was.

It is going to mean fewer positions for British players but you could also argue that it is going to force the level of the Brits up because the few Elite players will be playing with more imports.

I think they want to bring it in because of cost. With them having to have a certain number of British players, they are able to pretty much name their price.

There is a bigger group of players they can pick from in Europe, or possibly Canada, so the cost of the wage bill can be brought down without dropping the level of the hockey.

I think there are a lot of fans who don’t really mind if it is British or import players because they just want to see their team play well.

The best British players will still play in that league. I think they are good enough and there will still be top Brits playing.

It will just lift the level of the EPL because the players who are possibly on the borderline, are going to be very high level for the EPL.

I am sure Stevie Lyle, who played in the Elite League for a long time, will already be contacting players and obviously that league is a big commitment so for some players when they start having families and want to settle down a bit more you see them come down to our league.