IHL and Europe expansion in 90s

[alko]

Browsed some old newspapers and found interesting story about IHL Expansion plans to Europe.

...
The vague announcement of such possibilities by the NHL and IIHF Wednesday night came in response to plans revealed earlier this week by the International Hockey League (IHL), a minor North American league of 17 clubs, to create a European division of seven teams in 1996- 97. Six of the IHL members will be existing clubs in Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland; a seventh team will be created in Britain.
The IHL's European and North American divisions will compete head to head throughout the season. Strict wage policies have held the average player's salary in the IHL to $62,000, and half its tickets are priced at $10 or less. A similar scenario is anticipated for its European division....

English Source: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/03/sports/03iht-hock.html

But could not find any info, what went wrong. When it ends? Some ideas?

And here also some short discussion.

Click to read more...

 

[Hobnobs]

Browsed some old newspapers and found interesting story about IHL Expansion plans to Europe.

...
The vague announcement of such possibilities by the NHL and IIHF Wednesday night came in response to plans revealed earlier this week by the International Hockey League (IHL), a minor North American league of 17 clubs, to create a European division of seven teams in 1996- 97. Six of the IHL members will be existing clubs in Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland; a seventh team will be created in Britain.
The IHL's European and North American divisions will compete head to head throughout the season. Strict wage policies have held the average player's salary in the IHL to $62,000, and half its tickets are priced at $10 or less. A similar scenario is anticipated for its European division....

English Source: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/03/sports/03iht-hock.html

But could not find any info, what went wrong. When it ends? Some ideas?

And here also some short discussion.

It was a pipe dream for unrealistic league owners. NHL had already killed the league by pulling out from affiliates. I think this could mostly have been a PR stunt to try to get some attention but by 96 that league was doomed.