Braehead Pirates, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Fife Flyers have agreed to play each other in a round-robin cup competition.

The competition, played mainly in midweek, will start this season and each club will use a maximum of two imported players.

The teams will play each other once home and away, with the top two teams 

competing in the final.

The clubs hope to publish the fixture dates within the next few days.

Edinburgh Capitals, the only Scottish club involved in the Elite League, will use their British players and rotate their import signings during the tournament.

This is to allow the fans of the Northern League clubs the opportunity to see them all in action.

Charlie Ward, of the Dundee Stars, said: "This is an exciting new venture and one I am sure the fans will enjoy.

"With Edinburgh playing all their overseas players during the competition it gives our fans the chance to see new faces playing over here.

Capitals' Scott Neil added: "We are looking forward to playing against the three Scottish teams that are taking part, and we hope to do our bit to promote and develop Scottish ice hockey."