2020–21 Intercontinental Hockey League season
The 2020–21 Intercontinental Hockey League season will be the fourth season if professional Florian ice hockey and the second edition of the ICHL. Thirty-two teams will compete in an 84 game schedule. The regular season will begin in September unlike previous seasons when the league started in late August/November. The league will operate a one-week mid-season break to accommodate the Micras Champions' League Final. This will be the first season that all rounds in the playoffs will be best of seven. Standing points and points for teams losing in overtime were also scrapped in favour of the 'PCT' system used in other 'Big Four' Leagues such as the FFL and Super League Baseball. Seven expansion franchises will start their inaugural season with the league expanding to Lamantia and Castilona.
League business
The league's current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is expected to enter its second year pending a vote by the league and player association meeting before the start of the season. The CBA was declined by the Players Association and league play was paused until the 21st December 2020.
Salary cap
The league salary cap is expected to be around $90 to $95 million. The salary floor is expected to be set a $95 million.
Rule changes
The Intercontinental Hockey League has set new rules starting from this season. The new rules are as follows:
- The three teams with the worst regular-season records will be given the same odds for the first overall pick at the annual draft lottery.
- Overtime changed to five on five and if still tied, a shootout will commence.
Media rights
This will be the second season under the ICHL's ten year deal with Red Sports and Sports World. ESN will have exclusive rights for highlights and talk shows.
Entry Draft
The draft will be held in Northcliff. Kerion Willis is expected to be named as the number one pick.
MEHL Preseason games
The MEHL Preseason games series was expected to continue for a second year but ICHL player strikes ended the possibility of playing games.
MCHL Qualification
Qualification for the MCHL will be determined according to the following criteria:
- Northern Conference champions
- Southern Conference champions
- President's Shield winner
- Conference finalists
- If any team qualifies through more than one of the above criteria, then the remaining berths will be allocated to the highest-placed teams in the overall standings.