Australian Ice Hockey League

Last updated

Australian Ice Hockey League
Current season, competition or edition:
Hockey current event.svg 2024 AIHL season
Australian Ice Hockey League Logo.png
Sport Ice hockey
Founded2000(24 years ago) (2000)
First season 2000
COO Ben Armstrong
DirectorJoyce Price, Wayne Hellyer, Garry Doré, Peter Jon Hartshorne
PresidentPeter Jon Hartshorne (chair of board)
MottoFastest team sport in Australia
No. of teams10
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Headquarters Canberra, ACT, Australia
Confederation IHA
Most recent
champion(s)		 Canberra Brave
(3rd title)
Most titles Newcastle Northstars
(6 titles)
Streaming partner(s)AIHL.TV (StayLive AB)
Sportradar
Official website theaihl.com

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) is Australia's top-level men's ice hockey league. Established in 2000, the AIHL is sanctioned by Ice Hockey Australia (a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation). The AIHL is a semi-professional league that is contested by ten franchised teams in two conferences spanning six Australian states and territories. AIHL premiers are awarded the H Newman Reid Trophy and AIHL champions are awarded the Goodall Cup, the world's third oldest ice hockey trophy, having been first awarded in 1909. The most successful team in AIHL history is the Newcastle Northstars, having claimed six championship titles. The current champions, from 2024, are the Canberra Brave.

Contents

History

Foundation and first decade (2000–10)

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) was formed in 2000 following the collapse of the former national league. In its first season, the AIHL comprised three teams – the Adelaide Avalanche, Canberra Knights, and the Sydney Bears. [1] During the first two seasons the teams competed in round-robin weekends over the length of the season, with the two top teams playing a single final. Adelaide Avalanche finished first in both years after the regular season, with the Sydney Bears winning the Goodall Cup in the 2001 playoffs.

Expansion and Finals introduction

In 2002 the AIHL expanded to six teams with the inclusion of the Melbourne Ice, Newcastle North Stars and the West Sydney Ice Dogs. The Sydney Bears finished first in the regular season standings and won the Goodall Cup playoffs. [1] At the start of the 2003 AIHL season it was announced that the finals playoff would be expanded to include the top four finishing teams after the regular season. Newcastle North Stars won their first regular season and their first Goodall Cup. The following season, in 2004, the West Sydney Ice Dogs won their first Goodall Cup after defeating the Newcastle North Stars in the final.

In 2005 the AIHL expanded to eight teams with the Central Coast Rhinos and the Brisbane Blue Tongues joining the league. During the 2005 season the Avalanche signed former National Hockey League (NHL) player Steve McKenna who played over 350 games in the NHL while the North Stars won their second Goodall Cup. [2] In 2006 the Brisbane Blue Tongues signed Canadian Rob Zamuner who had played nearly 800 games in the NHL. [3] The North Stars went on to win their second consecutive Goodall Cup title, defeating Adelaide for the second year in a row. [1] The 2007 AIHL season opened with the Avalanche and the Blue Tongues announcing the signing of former NHL players Mel Angelstad and Tyrone Garner respectively. [4] [5] The Bears won the 2007 Goodall Cup, their first since 2002, after defeating the North Stars in the final. [1]

Team collapse and withdrawals

Starting the 2008 season the Brisbane Blue Tongues announced their relocation to the Gold Coast to become the Gold Coast Blue Tongues as well as the signing of former Tampa Bay Lightning player Gaetan Royer. [6] During the season the Adelaide Avalanche folded due to financial problems. Following the withdrawal of the Avalanche a new team was formed, the Adelaide Adrenaline. Newcastle North Stars went on to win the 2008 Goodall Cup, defeating West Sydney Ice Dogs in the final. [1] In 2009 the Central Coast Rhinos left the league after refusing to accept the AIHL's new licensing model and went on to join the newly formed Australian International Ice Hockey Cup. [7] 2009 also saw the Goodall Cup withdrawn from the AIHL by Ice Hockey Australia so it could return to being a state contested tournament. It was replaced by the H. Newman Reid Trophy which was won by the Adrenaline. The following season, 2010, Ice Hockey Australia returned the Goodall Cup to the AIHL with the H. Newman Reid Trophy being consigned to be the prize for the winner of the regular season. Melbourne Ice won their first Goodall Cup, defeating the Adrenaline in the final 6–4.

Second decade (2011–19)

In 2011, the league returned to an eight-team competition with the inclusion of the Melbourne-based Mustangs IHC. The AIHL also granted a ninth team, the Perth Thunder, a provisional licence to play exhibition games during the 2011 season, to seek a vote to join the league on a full licence in 2012. [1] Melbourne Ice went back-to-back and won the H. Newman Reid Trophy and the Goodall Cup in 2011, defeating the Newcastle Northstars in the grand final. [8] [9] In August 2011, the AIHL and the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) jointly announced the formation of the Trans-Tasman Champions League. [10] The Champions League would feature two teams from both leagues in a round-robin format. The tournament would commence in Australia in 2012 and hosting rights would alternate between Australia and New Zealand from that point forward. [10] After Season 2011 finished, in November 2011, at the annual general meeting (AGM), the AIHL reached consensus and announced Perth Thunder had been successful in obtaining a full league licence and would enter the AIHL proper in 2012. [11]

Implementation of conference system

For season 2012, with the addition of a ninth team, the AIHL implemented a conference system for the first time in the league's history. The decision was made to manage team costs and the season schedule length. [11] The league signed a 3-year sponsorship contract with Skaters Network that included the naming rights of the two conferences. The conferences were subsequently named Bauer and Easton after ice hockey brands Bauer Hockey and Easton Hockey, two brands Skaters Network distribute. [12] The conference restructure flowed into Finals format changes. The conference winners would draw the opposing conference's second-place finisher in the semi-finals, rather than the traditional 1v4 and 2v3. Winners of the semi's would advance to the Goodall Cup Final as normal. [12] To further assist with team travel costs, the AIHL signed a one-year partnership agreement with Virgin Australia to become the league's preferred airline partner. [13] The NSW and ACT based teams were grouped together in the Bauer Conference and the VIC, SA, WA and QLD teams were grouped together in the Easton Conference during the 2012 regular season. [12]

Newcastle and Melbourne Ice finished top of the two conferences at the end of the 2012 regular season, with Newcastle claiming the Premiership title by a single point in the combined league table. [14] Sydney Ice Dogs and Adelaide were runner's up, all qualifying for Finals. The two top teams won their semi-finals to advance to the grand final decider. Melbourne ice won the grand final 4–3, thanks to Lliam Webster who scored the winning goal, over the Northstars to claim the Goodall Cup for a third straight time, completing the first three-peat in AIHL history. [15]

In July 2012, the inaugural Trans-Tasman Champions League took place at the Icehouse in Melbourne. AIHL teams, Melbourne Ice and Newcastle North Stars, were joined by NZIHL teams, Botany Swarm and Southern Stampede for the round-robin tournament. The Melbourne Ice finished first in the standings and claimed the maiden Champions League title and trophy, beating Newcastle to the title on goal difference. [16] [17]

Robert Bannerman era

Ahead of the 2013 season, In February 2013, the league appointed Robert Bannerman has the new AIHL Commissioner. Bannerman was charged with improving the AIHL's revenue growth, fan development and attendance. [18] The AIHL signed its first broadcast deal with Australian-based pay-television service Fox Sports. The deal would see one game a week broadcast during the regular season on Foxtel's Fox Sports channels. [19] The League also shrunk back to eight teams with the suspension announcement of Gold Coast Blue Tongues' AIHL licence to due the team's inability to secure a home venue agreement with a suitable rink. [20] During the 2013 AIHL season, the Sydney Ice Dogs secured the Premiership-Championship double by finishing top of the regular season standings and winning the grand final. It was the first time the Ice Dogs had won either the H Newman Reid Trophy or Goodall Cup since 2004. [21] [22]

2014 saw the league experience further change. In February 2014, AIHL founding team, Canberra Knights, folded operations after 33 years with owner, John Raut, citing financial costs, lack of local player talent and sustained poor performances as the reasons for the decision. [23] [24] A Canberra player and community led consortium was established to keep an AIHL licence in Canberra following the Knight's collaps. [25] After meeting AIHL licence demands in April, the consortium was successful in obtaining the Canberra licence and a new team was formed, named CBR Brave. [26] Season 2014 produced a new Goodall Cup and Premiership winner, with the Melbourne Mustangs claiming their first league and Finals titles, defeating the Melbourne Ice in the grand final. [27] [28]

After the 2014 season, the AIHL made important decisions at their AGM in December 2014 to reject, for undisclosed reasons, the Central Coast Rhinos application to re-join the league and allow the Gold Coast Blue Tongues' licence to expire, after two years of suspension with the team unable to secure financing to build a proposed new rink or relocate to an appropriate alternative facility. [29] [30] [31] Thus confirming the AIHL would kick off 2015 with the same eight teams from 2014.

Between 2015 and 2018, the league experienced game rule changes, exhibition matches in Queensland, the loss of the premier Sydney ice rink and team relocations. In 2015, the Sydney Ice Arena was approved for redevelopment into apartments by the owner, forcing the Sydney Bears to relocate to Penrith. [32] The League adopted the international recognised hybrid icing rule to assist AIHL players in preparation for IIHF competition while continuing to protect players from the risks of potentially damaging collisions. [33] In 2016, the Bears took two regular season games to Brisbane to showcase the league in Queensland for the first time since 2012. Games were held at both Iceworld Boondall and Iceworld Acacia Ridge against the Melbourne Ice. [34] In 2017, following the completion of renovations, the Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs relocated from Penrith and Liverpool to Macquarie Ice Rink. [35] In 2018, AIHL Commissioner, Rob Bannerman, stepped down after six years in the role. Bannerman would be relocating to the United States to pursue a career change. [36]

David Turik era

In 2019, AIHL head of finance, Heidi Wilson, resigned from her role in the league commission. Dawn Watt was elected Deputy Commissioner and the AIHL canvased for new members. [37] David Turik was subsequently appointed the new AIHL Commissioner. [38]

COVID-19 season cancellations (2020–21)

During 2020 and 2021, the league suspended operations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Different health measures and border restrictions domestically and internationally made it unviable to run seasons in 2020 and 2021. Originally in 2020 the league was suspended but it was later cancelled. [39] [40] In 2021, exhibition series were run instead of the league, but they were interrupted due to the ongoing outbreak. [41] [42] [43] In 2021, AIHL Commissioner, David Turik, resigned from the role by “mutual agreement”, no reasons for his departure were disclosed. [44]

Third decade (2022–present)

Australia vs New Zealand ice hockey.png

In 2022, the AIHL announced it would be returning to a regular season for the first time since 2019. [45] The league released information of a new board of directors and executive team as well as the adoption of a new finals format and increase to game lengths. [46] The AIHL would implement the international standard 60-minute games (up from 50 minutes) and expanded the finals weekend to include a preliminary final and an additional day in the schedule. [46] [47] The League also announced a new license holder for the Adelaide Adrenaline franchise, headed by Benny Gebert and Glen Foll. [46] A new domestic broadcasting deal was struck with Kayo Sports that will increase the amount of AIHL content broadcast within Australia. [46] Internationally, the league signed a three-year contract with Swiss-based multi-national Sportradar to distribute AIHL broadcasting in North America and Europe. [48] Preparations for the 2022 season were disrupted by the withdrawals of the Perth Thunder and Adelaide Adrenaline due to continued state border restrictions and disagreements with rink management respectively. [49] [50] However, in February 2022, the AIHL announced the expansion of the league would take place in 2023 and followed this up with the granting of licenses to the Brisbane Lightning, headed by Ice Hockey Queensland (IHQ), and the Central Coast Rhinos, who will be returning to the league for the first time in fourteen years after originally leaving at the conclusion of the 2008 season. [51] [52]

Teams

Current teams

Current active AIHL teams and locations as of 2024. Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) - Current teams and locations - As of 2024.png
Current active AIHL teams and locations as of 2024.
Australian Ice Hockey League
TeamColoursCityStateArenaCapacityFoundedJoinedFormer namesNotes
Adelaide Adrenaline    Adelaide Flag of South Australia.svg Adelaide Ice Arena 1,5002008Adelaide A's (2008)Replaced Adelaide Avalanche in the league
Brisbane Lightning    Brisbane Flag of Queensland.svg Boondall Iceworld 45020222023Joint venture between IHQ, Brisbane Buccaneers and the Southern Stars
Canberra Brave    Canberra Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Phillip Ice Skating Centre 1,0002014CBR Brave (2014–23)Replaced Canberra Knights in the league
Central Coast Rhinos    Central Coast Flag of New South Wales.svg Erina Ice Arena 50020052023Blue Haven Rhinos (2005–06)Second spell in league, first spell between 2005 and 2008 before declining licence in 2009
Melbourne Ice    Melbourne Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg O'Brien Icehouse 2,5002002 2002 expansion team
Melbourne Mustangs    Melbourne Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg O'Brien Icehouse 2,50020102011Mustangs IHC (2010–12) 2011 expansion team
Newcastle Northstars    Newcastle Flag of New South Wales.svg Hunter Ice Skating Stadium 1,00019812002Newcastle North Stars (2002–16) 2002 expansion team
Perth Thunder    Perth Flag of Western Australia.svg Perth Ice Arena 60020102012 2012 expansion team
Sydney Bears    Sydney Flag of New South Wales.svg Macquarie Ice Rink 2,00019822000AIHL Bears (2007–09)Last remaining operational founding team
Sydney Ice Dogs    Sydney Flag of New South Wales.svg Macquarie Ice Rink 2,0002002West Sydney Ice Dogs (2002–09) 2002 expansion team

Former teams

Former teams
TeamColoursCityStateJoinedLeftFormer namesNotes
Adelaide Avalanche    Adelaide Flag of South Australia.svg 20002008Founding team. Suspended operations in June 2008, players reformed to play as the Adelaide A's for the remainder of the 2008 season
Canberra Knights    Canberra Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg 20002013Founding team. Suspended operation in February 2014, players later reformed to play as the CBR Brave
Gold Coast Blue Tongues    Gold Coast Flag of Queensland.svg 20052012Brisbane Blue TonguesLicence suspended in 2012 before expiring in 2014 due to not having an adequate home rink. [31] [53] [54]

Timeline

Brisbane LightningCBR BravePerth ThunderMelbourne MustangsAdelaide AdrenalineGold Coast Blue TonguesCentral Coast RhinosNewcastle NorthstarsSydney Ice DogsMelbourne IceCanberra KnightsSydney BearsAdelaide AvalancheAustralian Ice Hockey League

Season structure

Regular season

The AIHL season commences mid April and runs through to the last weekend of August or the first weekend of September. Games are usually played on Saturday or Sunday, typically starting between 2.00 pm and 5.30 pm depending on the venue.

Teams nominally play each of their seven opponents in the league four times for a total of 28 regular season games. In seasons prior to 2011, some games were played for double-points (and counted as two games) to keep travel costs down.

Match length

The length of matches has changed throughout the history of the AIHL. From inception in 2000 to 2012 matches were forty-five minutes long. From 2013 to 2019 the AIHL increased the match length to fifty minutes, consisting of two fifteen minute periods followed by a twenty-minute third period. On 11 February 2020, the AIHL announced the league would be adopting the international standard sixty minutes match length. The change increased the league's matches by ten minutes and standardised the period lengths to twenty minutes each. The change was scheduled to come into effect for the 2020 season until the season was cancelled. [55] It was finally introduced in the 2022 season. [56]

Overtime and points system

The points system and overtime formats used by the AIHL has developed and changed over the history of the league.

The current points system, first introduced in 2006, follows similar systems widely used in Europe. [57] 3 points is awarded for a win, and 0 points for a loss. If a match is tied at the end of regulation time, overtime (OT) is used to guarantee a match winner. An overtime win is worth 2 points and an overtime loss is worth 1 point.

The current overtime rules deployed in the AIHL for regular season matches was introduced in 2019. At the end of regulation time there is a five-minute three on three overtime period, with the first goal winning the game. If no one scores during this OT period the match is then sent to a shootout to decide the winner and points split.

Between 2000 and 2005, the league had a then NHL style four on four five minute overtime period. If no one scored, the match was then officially recorded as a tie. In 2006 the league removed the five minute overtime period and replaced it with a shootout, meaning every match would have a winner. The shootout only system was used by the league until the end of the 2018 season.

For AIHL finals (play-offs), overtime periods are played to a regulation period length and incorporate the golden goal rule – in an overtime period, the game ends when one team scores a goal; the teams are at full strength (five skaters, barring penalties), there is no shootout, and each overtime period is 20 minutes with full intermissions between overtime periods.

Playoffs

Between 2000 and 2002 the AIHL had a single match final, known as the championship final, between the two teams who finished first and second in the regular round-robin season. In 2002, the Goodall Cup was awarded to the winner of the championship final for the first time, previously it was used as the award for the annual inter-state tournament held by IHA. In 2003, the AIHL switched to a four team playoff system, expanding the format into a 'finals weekend'. Retaining the single-match series, two semi-finals and a final would be played at a single venue over one weekend. The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the finals weekend. The two semi finals are conducted on the Saturday with 1 v 4 (semi final 1) playing first followed by 2 v 3 (semi final 2). The winners of the two semi finals advance to the final, held on the Sunday, to compete for the Goodall Cup and the AIHL Championship. [1]

In 2022, the league expanded the finals format by adding a preliminary final and a third day to the schedule. Semi-finals are played on Friday night. The top two teams from the AIHL regular season play-off in the major semi-final for an automatic spot in the Sunday afternoon Goodall Cup final. The teams who finished third and fourth in the regular season play-off in an elimination game in the minor semi-final. The winner of the minor semi-final advances to the preliminary final to play the loser of the major semi-final. The winner of the Saturday afternoon preliminary final progresses to the Goodall Cup final and the loser is eliminated. The winner of the grand final is named AIHL Champion and lifts the historic Goodall Cup. [58]

As of 2023, finals have been held in three different Australian states including New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, six cities including, Sydney, Adelaide, Central Coast, Newcastle, Penrith and Melbourne and eight stadiums as detailed in the table below:

The Henke Rink at the Melbourne Icehouse has hosted a record nine AIHL Finals weekends Henke Rink..JPG
The Henke Rink at the Melbourne Icehouse has hosted a record nine AIHL Finals weekends
Finals Locations
SeasonStateLocationStadium
2000 NSW Sydney Macquarie Ice Rink
2001 SA Adelaide Thebarton Snowdome
2002 NSWSydney Blacktown Ice Arena
2003 NSWSydney Glaciarium
2004 NSW Central Coast Erina Ice World
2005 NSW Newcastle Hunter Ice Skating Stadium
2006 SAAdelaide Adelaide Ice ArenA
2007 NSW Penrith Penrith Ice Palace
2008 NSWNewcastleHunter Ice Skating Stadium
2009 NSWNewcastleHunter Ice Skating Stadium
2010 VIC Melbourne Medibank Icehouse
2011 VICMelbourneMedibank Icehouse
2012 NSWNewcastleHunter Ice Skating Stadium
2013 VICMelbourneMedibank Icehouse
2014 VICMelbourneMedibank Icehouse
2015 VICMelbourneMedibank Icehouse
2016 VICMelbourne O'Brien Group Arena
2017 VICMelbourneO'Brien Group Arena
2018 VICMelbourneO'Brien Group Arena
2019 NSWNewcastleHunter Ice Skating Stadium
2022 VICMelbourne O'Brien Icehouse
2023 VICMelbourneO'Brien Icehouse
2024 VICMelbourneO'Brien Icehouse

League champions

AIHL champions by seasons (2000–present)

Season-by-season Championships and Premierships
YearAIHL ChampionshipsAIHL League
ChampionsScoreFinalistsPremiersRunners-up
2000 Adelaide Avalanche 6–5 (SO) Sydney Bears Sydney Bears Adelaide Avalanche
2001 Adelaide Avalanche 10–7 Sydney Bears Adelaide Avalanche Sydney Bears
2002 Sydney Bears 5–4 (SO) Adelaide Avalanche Sydney Bears Adelaide Avalanche
2003 Newcastle North Stars 4–1 Western Sydney Ice Dogs Adelaide Avalanche Newcastle North Stars
2004 Western Sydney Ice Dogs 3–1 Newcastle North Stars Newcastle North Stars Western Sydney Ice Dogs
2005 Newcastle North Stars 3–1 Adelaide Avalanche Adelaide Avalanche Newcastle North Stars
2006 Newcastle North Stars 4–0 Adelaide Avalanche Melbourne Ice Adelaide Avalanche
2007 AIHL Bears 4–3 (OT) Newcastle North Stars Adelaide Avalanche Melbourne Ice
2008 Newcastle North Stars 4–1 Sydney Ice Dogs AIHL Bears Sydney Ice Dogs
2009 Adelaide Adrenaline 3–2 (OT) Newcastle North Stars Newcastle North Stars Melbourne Ice
2010 Melbourne Ice 6–4 Adelaide Adrenaline Newcastle North Stars Melbourne Ice
2011 Melbourne Ice 3–2 Newcastle North Stars Melbourne Ice Newcastle North Stars
2012 Melbourne Ice 4–3 Newcastle North Stars Newcastle North Stars Melbourne Ice
2013 Sydney Ice Dogs 6–3 Newcastle North Stars Sydney Ice Dogs Newcastle North Stars
2014 Melbourne Mustangs 6–1 Melbourne Ice Melbourne Mustangs Melbourne Ice
2015 Newcastle North Stars 3–2 (OT) Melbourne Ice Newcastle North Stars Melbourne Ice
2016 Newcastle North Stars 2–1 CBR Brave Melbourne Ice Perth Thunder
2017 Melbourne Ice 4–1 CBR Brave Melbourne Ice Perth Thunder
2018 CBR Brave 4–3 (OT) Sydney Bears CBR Brave Sydney Bears
2019 Sydney Bears 5–2 Perth Thunder CBR Brave Newcastle Northstars
2020–21 Seasons cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 CBR Brave 3–2 Newcastle Northstars CBR Brave Newcastle Northstars
2023 Melbourne Mustangs 1–0 CBR Brave CBR Brave Sydney Bears
2024 Canberra Brave 5–0 Melbourne Ice Sydney Bears Melbourne Ice

AIHL champions all-time record

All-time Championships
Team# TitlesYears
Adelaide Adrenaline
1
2009
Adelaide Avalanche
2
2000, 2001
Canberra Brave
3
2018, 2022, 2024
Melbourne Ice
4
2010, 2011, 2012, 2017
Melbourne Mustangs
2
2014, 2023
Newcastle Northstars
6
2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016
Sydney Bears
3
2002, 2007, 2019
Sydney Ice Dogs
2
2004, 2013

Trophies and awards

The Goodall Cup is awarded to the AIHL Champion Goodall Cup Replica Cup 2014.png
The Goodall Cup is awarded to the AIHL Champion
Goodall Cup

The champions of the AIHL are awarded the Goodall Cup, a perpetual national trophy third in age only to the Stanley Cup (1892) and the Allan Cup (1908). The Goodall Cup was incorporated into the AIHL in 2002 after the league expanded to 6 teams. The Goodall Cup is awarded to the team that wins the Finals series/playoffs weekend at the end of each season. The team that holds the Goodall Cup is considered to be the Australian champion.

The Goodall Cup was withdrawn from the AIHL in 2009 by the cup's custodians, Ice Hockey Australia. The Goodall Cup was instead awarded to South Australia in a traditional state vs state tournament held in Adelaide, South Australia in October 2009 as a 100-year celebration of the Goodall Cup.

In 2010 the Goodall Cup was offered back to the AIHL, and the cup accepted by a vote of the members and board. The Goodall Cup has been re-instated by the AIHL as its finals tournament trophy and as the prize signifying Australian champions of ice hockey.

Like in the case of the Stanley Cup, the original Goodall Cup is considered too delicate to travel and a replica is now awarded to the league champion team.

Mick McCormack Cup
Mick McCormack Cup is awarded to the MVP of the AIHL regular season Mick McCormack Cup.png
Mick McCormack Cup is awarded to the MVP of the AIHL regular season

First awarded in 2015, the Mick McCormack Cup is awarded annually to the most valuable player of the Australian Ice Hockey League All-Star Game. As of 2018, the Cup was re-purposed as the award to the winning team of the Australian Ice Hockey League All-Star Game.

The trophy is named after Australian ice hockey advocate, Mick McCormack, who is the CEO of APA Group.

Recipients of the Mick McCormack Cup include Pat O’Kane from the Melbourne Mustangs (2015), Michael Dorr of Perth Thunder (2016), and Dominic Jalbert of CBR Brave (2017). Team Rezek won the cup in 2018.

AIHL Champions Trophy

In 2009 Ice Hockey Australia withdrew the Goodall Cup from the AIHL, claiming it was instead to presented to the winning team from IHA's own tournament to be run in South Australia, celebrating the Cup's 100th anniversary since it was first awarded in a game between NSW and Victoria in 1909. Without a major trophy to present to its finals winning team, the AIHL designed and had manufactured its own unique trophy.

The new AIHL Champions Trophy was awarded to the 2009 AIHL Champions, the Adelaide Adrenaline following their victory in the 2009 final.

In 2010 the AIHL Champions Trophy was re-launched as the H Newman Reid Trophy, honouring the minor premiers from each season back to 2008.

H Newman Reid Trophy
The H Newman Reid Trophy is awarded to the AIHL Premier H Newman Reid Trophy (2022).png
The H Newman Reid Trophy is awarded to the AIHL Premier

The H Newman Reid Trophy is awarded to the regular season's minor premiers; that is, the team that finishes first overall in the standings. Reid is considered the father of ice hockey in Australia, opening Australia's first two ice rinks and employing key people who introduced Australians, including his own children, to winter sports.

The H Newman Reid Trophy was first awarded in 2010 to the Newcastle North Stars after they finished first in the regular season with 54 points. [59]

The Reid Trophy was backdated to 2008 including minor premiers the Sydney Bears (2008) and the Newcastle North Stars (2009 & 2010). [60]

V.I.P. Cup

The V.I.P. Cup was awarded to the minor premiers of each season; that is, the team that finishes first overall in the standings at the end of the regular season. The VIP cup was last awarded to the Adelaide Avalanche in 2007. The VIP Cup was not returned to the league and has been replaced by the H Newman Reid Trophy.

Wilson Cup

The Wilson Cup is awarded to the winner of the AIHL pre-season competition, which began in 2007 and ran again in 2008 and 2009. No Wilson Cup was run in 2010 or 2011.

Records

All-time skater totals

As of 2024 AIHL season [61]

Top-ten skater totals in six categories. For PPG, to qualify for the list, a player must have played a minimum 20 matches in the AIHL.

Appearances
No.NamePosGP
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg OddyF383
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam WebsterD372
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg David DunwoodieD372
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tommy PowellF369
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tomas MancoD332
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adrian EspositoF327
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark RummukainenD325
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sean JonesF318
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael SchlampD305
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scott StephensonF301
Goals
No.NamePosG
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg OddyF268
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey HughesF209
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam WebsterD208
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe DargeF195
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vladimir RubesF176
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tommy PowellF173
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt ArmstrongF170
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jamie BourkeF162
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tomas LandaF156
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason BacligF148
Assists
No.NamePosA
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg OddyF347
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tommy PowellF294
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe DargeF270
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vladimir RubesF270
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey HughesF260
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam WebsterD260
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt ArmstrongF249
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert StarkeD242
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tomas LandaF238
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael SchlampD215
Points
No.NamePosP
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg OddyF615
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey HughesF469
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam WebsterD468
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tommy PowellF467
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe DargeF465
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vladimir RubesF446
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt ArmstrongF419
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tomas LandaF394
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jamie BourkeF353
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael SchlampD350
Points per game
No.NamePosPPG
1 Flag of the United States.svg Austin AlbrechtF3.600
2 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brad SmuldersF3.455
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jesse GabrielleF3.350
4 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Marcel KarsF3.300
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg B.J. PelkeyF3.095
6 Flag of the United States.svg Luke MoffattF3.095
7 Flag of the United States.svg Addison DeBoerF3.036
8 Flag of the United States.svg Peter CartwrightF3.000
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jesse PyattF3.000
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim CrowderF2.962
Penalty minutes
No.NamePosPIM
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg David DunwoodieD1652
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew WhiteD1248
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam WebsterD1091
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jamie BourkeF958
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg OddyF938
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey HughesF906
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vincent HughesD834
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark RummukainenD826
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cass DelsarF746
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Todd StephensonF703

Legend:

Active AIHL player

By season totals

As of 2024 AIHL season [62]

Top-ten season totals for skaters and goaltender in four categories. For goaltenders, to qualify for lists, a player must have played a minimum 10 AIHL matches in a season.

Points
No.NameSeasonPosP
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Geordie Wudrick2015F91
2 Flag of the United States.svg Addison DeBoer2011F85
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Scott Timmins2023F82
4 Flag of the United States.svg Brian Bales2010F81
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Stephen Blunden2015F79
6 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Cartwright2010F78
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Crowder2019F77
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Britt Ouellette2011F77
9 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Albrecht2023F76
10 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brad Smulders2009F76
Penalty minutes
No.NameSeasonPosPIM
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Blair Collins2006F208
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ryan O'Keefe2006D192
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bryan Lachance2008D191
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Trevor Ross2005D189
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jamie Bourke2011F180
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Derek Campbell2010F175
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jordan Landry2005F172
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Blair Collins2005F168
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Funk2005D168
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Harrison Byers2013D167
Save percentage
No.NameSeasonPosSV%
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin2012G.935%
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Thomas Heemskerk2016G.927%
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Hewitt2018G.925%
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Peter Di Salvo2017G.924%
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Damien Ketlo2017G.923%
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin2023G.921%
7 Flag of the United States.svg Josh Unice2015G.921%
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin2018G.920%
9 Flag of Japan.svg Tatsunoshin Ishida2024G.920%
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy2004G.919%
Goals against average
No.NameSeasonPosGAA
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Hewitt2018G1.95
2 Flag of the United States.svg Troy Davenport2016G2.08
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Climie2019G2.14
4 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jaden Pine-Murphy2014G2.23
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin2012G2.25
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy2004G2.28
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dayne Davis2017G2.33
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin2018G2.39
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Olivier Martin2013G2.45
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Thomas Heemskerk2016G2.45

Legend:

Active AIHL player

Season awards

AIHL season awards are announced near or at the end of the regular season, with the Finals MVP announced after the conclusion of the Goodall Cup Final. Below is the known history of AIHL award winners.

SeasonMVPFinals MVPGoaltenderDefenceRookieLocalCoach
2000 –––––––
2001 –– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Eric Lien––––
2002 –––––––
2003 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Martini––––––
2004 –– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy––––
2005 –– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy––––
2006 –– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy––––
2007 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tommy Powell Flag of Finland.svg Pekka Kankaanranta–––––
2008 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lliam Webster Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mickey Gilchrist Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ezzy––––
2009 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brad Smulders Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cass Delsar–––––
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Oddy Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Baclig–––––
2011 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Baclig Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey Hughes–––––
2012 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomas Landa
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jeremy Boyer		 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Todd Graham Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Robbie Lawrance Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Bay
Flag of New Zealand.svg Charlie Huber		––
2013 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jeff Martens Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Gordon Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cameron Todd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin–
2014 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Simon Barg Flag of Sweden.svg Viktor Gibbs Sjödin Flag of Finland.svg Petri Pitkänen Flag of the United States.svg Jack Wolgemuth Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jeremy Brown Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Dunwoodie–
2015 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Geordie Wudrick Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Geordie Wudrick Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Kamil Jarina Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jan Safar Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kieran Webster Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe Darge Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dave Kenway
2016 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe Darge Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dayne Davis Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jan Safar Flag of Australia (converted).svg Casey Kubara Flag of Australia (converted).svg Casey Kubara Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brent Laver
2017 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cameron Critchlow Flag of Sweden.svg Sebastian Ottosson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Damien Ketlo Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rob Haselhurst Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bayley Kubara Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey Hughes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dave Ruck
2018 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Pier-Olivier Grandmaison Flag of the United States.svg Trevor Gerling Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony Kimlin Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Landon Oslanski Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason McMahon Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wehebe Darge Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ron Kuprowsky
2019 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Quaile Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Danick Gauthier Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Climie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dylan Quaile Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jake Ratcliffe Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kieran Webster Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Kennedy
2022 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Casey Kubara Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joey Hughes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael James Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ty Wishart Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ethan Hawes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Casey Kubara Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kevin Noble
2023 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Scott Timmins Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Liam Hughes Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Masters Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ty Wishart Flag of Australia (converted).svg Riley Klugerman Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jordan Kyros Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ben Breault
2024 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kaden Elder Flag of New Zealand.svg Jake Ratcliffe Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rylan Toth Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ryan Annesley Flag of Australia (converted).svg Daniel Koudelka Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Haselhurst Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Kvisle

References: [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] [81] [82] [83]

Media coverage

Damien Ketlo, the 2017 save percentage leader, became a contestant on Big Brother Canada season 7 and mentioned Australian hockey in episode 22.

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Bears</span> Ice hockey team in Macquarie Park, New South Wales

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perth Thunder</span> Ice hockey team in Perth, Western Australia

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The Canberra Brave is a semi-professional ice hockey team based in Canberra, ACT. The team is a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The team was founded in 2014 to replace the defunct Canberra Knights in the AIHL. Their home venue is the Phillip Ice Skating Centre known as The Brave Cave. The Brave have claimed three Goodall Cup championships and four H Newman Reid Trophy premierships.

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The 2020 AIHL season was going to be the 21st season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It was originally scheduled to run from 18 April 2020 until 23 August 2020, with the Goodall Cup finals following on 29 August and 30 August 2020. However, on 12 March 2020 the league announced the postponement of the 2020 season to a to be determined date due to COVID-19. Then on 29 July 2020, the AIHL commission's return to play committee announced the official cancellation of the 2020 AIHL season due to July COVID outbreaks on the east coast as well as continued border closures for WA and SA. This marked the first time the Goodall Cup was not awarded since 1993, when the competition was cancelled as a result of financial problems.

The 2019 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 6th season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 20 April 2019 to 31 August 2019 for the Brave. CBR finished first in the regular season to clinch the H Newman Reid Trophy for the second time in franchise history. However, the Brave lost their semi-final match to the Sydney Bears during the Goodall Cup Finals series in Newcastle. The team set a number of new league records including: most wins (26), most points (79), largest winning streak, most goals scored (161), fewest goals conceded in a 28 match season (67) and least losses in a 28 match season (2).

The 2018 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 5th season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 21 April 2018 to 2 September 2018 for the Brave. CBR finished first in the regular season to clinch their maiden H Newman Reid Trophy. The team set then AIHL records for most wins and points in a season. The Brave completed the double and claimed their first Goodall Cup trophy and the AIHL Championship in Melbourne in September. CBR defeated the Melbourne Mustangs in the first semi-final 5–1 before overcoming the Sydney Bears in the final 4–3 with an overtime winner scored by Trevor Gerling. The Brave became the first Canberra based ice hockey franchise to lift the Goodall Cup and the second Canberra based team overall, following the ACT representative team's victory in 1998. Canberra Brave's Dave and Jayden Lewis became the first father-son duo in Australian Ice Hockey League history to lift the Goodall Cup. American import forward, Trevor Gerling, finished equal top points scorer in the league. Canadian import goaltender, Matt Hewitt, finished top in the league goaltender standings and Australian international, Wahebe Darge, won the AIHL best local player award for 2018. Foundation player, Jordie Gavin who was instrumental in building the CBR Brave following the collapse of the Canberra Knights, retired after the 2018 AIHL final.

The 2017 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 4th season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 22 April 2017 to 3 September 2017 for the Brave. CBR finished third in the regular season behind the Melbourne Ice and Perth Thunder. The Brave qualified for the AIHL Finals in Melbourne and played in semi-final two. Canberra defeated the Thunder 6–2 to qualify for the Goodall Cup Final for the second time in franchise history. The Brave were defeated in the final by the Ice 1–4, Canberra's second championship final loss in a row.

The 2016 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 3rd season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 23 April 2016 to 28 August 2016 for the Brave. CBR finished fourth in the regular season behind the Melbourne Ice, Perth Thunder and Newcastle North Stars. The Brave qualified for the AIHL Finals in Melbourne and played in semi-final one. Canberra defeated the Ice 4–3 in overtime to qualify for the Goodall Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. The Brave were defeated in the final by the North Stars 1–2.

The 2014 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 1st season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded in pre-season before the 2014 AIHL season. The season ran from 12 April 2014 to 30 August 2014 for the Brave. CBR finished third in their inaugural regular season behind the Melbourne Mustangs and Melbourne Ice. The Brave qualified for the AIHL Finals in Melbourne and played in semi-final two. Canberra were defeated by the Melbourne Ice, 1–6 in their semi-final match and were knocked out of the finals weekend, ending their season.

The 2022 AIHL season is the delayed 21st season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), following the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The season will consist of 60 regular season games and is scheduled to run from 30 April to 28 August 2022, with the Goodall Cup finals, consisting of 2 semi-finals, a preliminary final and a grand final, following the regular season on 2–4 September 2022. The CBR Brave won the double and claimed the H Newman Reid Trophy for a third time and Goodall Cup for a second time in 2022 by finishing top of the regular season standings and winning the AIHL grand final. The Newcastle Northstars were runner's up to both titles and the Sydney Ice Dogs claimed the wooden spoon.

The 2023 AIHL season was the 22nd season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The season consisted of 130 regular season games from 15 April to 13 August 2023, with the Goodall Cup finals consisting of two play-in matches, two semi-finals, and a grand final, following the regular season on 26–27 August 2023. The CBR Brave and Sydney Bears claimed the Rurak and Hellyer conference trophies for finishing top of their respective conference standings. The CBR Brave also won the Premiership and claimed the H Newman Reid Trophy for a record fourth consecutive time by finishing top of the regular season standings. The Melbourne Mustangs won the Championship and claimed the Goodall Cup for the second time in their history, defeating the Brave in the grand final. The returning Central Coast Rhinos claimed the wooden spoon.

The 2022 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 7th season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. Canberra completed the double by finishing first in the regular season and winning the grand final in the AIHL Finals, lifting the H Newman Reid Trophy for the third time and Goodall Cup for the second time in franchise history.

The 2024 AIHL season was the 23nd season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The season consisted of 155 total games, split between 150 regular season games and a 5 game Goodall Cup Finals post-season. The regular season ran from 6 April to 11 August 2024. The Finals ran from 23–25 August 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. The Sydney Bears claimed a conference-Premiership double by winning the Hellyer conference trophy and H Newman Reid Trophy. The Newcastle Northstars claimed the Rurak conference trophy, while the Canberra Brave were crowned AIHL Champions and hoisted the Goodall Cup after defeating the Melbourne Ice in the grand final. The much-improved Central Coast Rhinos picked up the wooden spoon for a second year running.

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