Manchester Storm have replaced Hull Stingrays in the Elite Ice Hockey League next season.

Storm previously went out of business in 2003 following financial problems, but have been reformed after a place in the Elite League opened up.

Hull Stingrays were liquidated last week after financial troubles of their own.

"These are exciting times for ice hockey in the Manchester area and when we were approached by the EIHL to join the league, we pulled out all the stops to make it happen," Mark Johnson, head of Storm owners Ice Rink Company Ltd, told Manchester Evening News.

"This has become part of an even bigger picture for ice hockey in the region and we are looking forward to growing the fanbase and the grassroots of the sport in the area, alongside the re-birth of one of the iconic names in British sport."

The Stingrays were defeated in the Elite League semi-final last season.