Canberra Knights

Last updated

Canberra Knights
Canberra Knights Logo.png
City Phillip, Australian Capital Territory
League Australian Ice Hockey League
East Coast Super League
NSW Superleague
Founded1981
Operated1981–2014
Home arena Phillip Ice Skating Centre
ColoursTeal, Black, Silver and White     
Championships
ECSL Championships1 (1998)

The Canberra Knights were a semi-professional ice hockey team in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The team played its home games at the Phillip Swimming & Ice Skating Centre in Phillip, a suburb of Australia's capital city, Canberra. In February 2014 the team owner announced that operations would fold due to financial costs, lack of local players and poor performance. They were replaced in the league by the CBR Brave. The Knights were only ever premiers once, in 1998, in the now defunct East Coast Super League, and never made the finals since the formation of the AIHL.

Contents

History

1980–1993

The Phillip Ice Skating and Swimming centre opened in 1980, and in 1981 the Canberra Knights were formed by a group of former hockey players, many who had not played in years, and they played in various exhibition matches against international and Australian teams. In 1982 the Knights were a founding member of the New South Wales Superleague, which was a Sydney-based competition, taking on some of the best teams in Australia. In this first year the Knights were coached by Stuart Wright, and although it was unsuccessful for the Canberra Knights, they gained invaluable experience.

In 1983, the Canberra Knights were again entered into the NSW Superleague. Chuck Naish and Jim Fuyarchuk, formerly of the Macquarie Bears and the now defunct Warringah Bombers respectively, had been brought in as player/coaches. This was a big year and the combined talents soon became evident as the Canberra Knights proved they were a winning team. Ably assisted by some promising young players and the proven skills of the imported players, the Canberra Knights finished a close second to the Warringah Bombers in the playoffs. [1]

1984 continued with the same team line-up, with the addition of two players, Dean Pollock (from the Macquarie Bears), and Canadian import Bill Rose.

1992 Canberra Knights Canb Knights 1992 Team photo.jpg
1992 Canberra Knights

The 1992 Knights featured Jason Elliott, a 16-year-old Canadian goalie who migrated to Australia with his parents a year before. Jason, after representing Australia internationally in both senior and junior categories would later return to Canada to play Junior A Tier II hockey with Kimberley of the RMJHL. Jason was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 205th overall in 1994 directly from the RMJHL, and then went on to star for Cornell [2] in NCAA Division 1 hockey. After a brief stint with Detroit in 2002 where Jason was third string goalie in the Red Wing's Stanley Cup victory, [3] Jason went on to a long minor league career in both the US and Europe before retiring following the 2006–07 season. [4]

Mike Harrow, Canberra Knights head coach 2007-2008 Mike Harrow.jpg
Mike Harrow, Canberra Knights head coach 2007–2008

1994–1999

While lasting for thirteen seasons, the NSW Superleague struggled to gain stability and could not continue. The league was reborn in 1994, as the East Coast Super League (ECSL). It continued with the same number of teams but was still largely based in the NSW area. Canberra's maiden ECSL championship came in 1998 when they won the premiership for the first time ever. The East Coast Super League has since been reformed as a junior (under 23) competition which serves as a bridge between local league hockey and the national level. [5]

2000–2007

The Canberra Knights, along with the Sydney Bears and Adelaide Avalanche, founded the AIHL as a three-team competition following the disbanding of the ECSL in 2000. 2002 saw the introduction of the Melbourne Ice, the Newcastle Northstars and the West Sydney Ice Dogs, increasing the number of teams in the league to 6. The team finished just above the Melbourne Ice in fifth place, ending the season with 12 points and a fourth placed goaltender, Brad Hunt. In 2003 David Lewis, and import Saku Martakainen were both top scorers, but the Knights did not perform very well, ending the season in last place, not winning a single game. Since a playoff format was introduced to the AIHL in 2003 (prior to this, minor premiers were champions), the Knights have not made the postseason.

In 2005, with new imports, such as Canadian goaltender Dylan Smart, the Knights were able to enter the 5th AIHL season stronger than ever, and nearly made the play-offs. With two new teams joining the league, the Brisbane Blue Tongues and Central Coast Rhinos, the Knights were one of the stronger and more stable teams of the league, winning 11 of 24 games and finishing in fifth place with 35 points. [6] Coached by former player Laing Harrow, 2005 has been the strongest Canberra Knights AIHL season ever.

Canberra Knights 2006 team Canberra Knights 2006.jpg
Canberra Knights 2006 team

In 2006 the Knights acquired Finnish player/coach Tommi Suutari, and they began the season relatively strong, winning a few games, but failed to continue this streak and ended up losing 25 out of 28 regular season games, one of the wins being a miraculous triumph over the Sydney Bears later in the season, finishing them off in a shoot-out at their home venue in Phillip. Despite this the Knights still finished in last place. This was also the season where an Australian ice hockey record was set, when Canberra lost 21–2 in a game against the Newcastle Northstars.

The Knights lost head coach Tommi Suutari prior to the commencement of the 2007 season, as he had to return to Finland. Mike Harrow, who also played forward for the club, was appointed as head coach. Goaltenders were also changed, as Luke Fiveash became the Canberra Knights primary goalie, with Brad Hunt as a secondary. This season also saw the addition of Finnish imports Ari-Pekka Hakala, who went on to become the second highest scorer for the season, and Antti Teisala. During previous seasons the Knights were notorious for having very outdated and old away jerseys, but halfway through the season there was a redesign, with the introduction of their current away jerseys.

The team won their opening game of the 2007 season against the Brisbane Blue Tongues, but did not follow up their performance, losing the next 3 games. On Saturday 5 May the Knights had a compelling 5–3 win against a strong West Sydney side. Since this win, the Knights only won four more games, including 9 June against the Central Coast Rhinos, defeating them 7–0. 2007 saw the Knights only winning two away games, including their last match of the season, against the Brisbane Blue Tongues, which eliminated them from the playoffs. The season also saw the exit of two veteran Knights players, long time goalie Brad Hunt, and Mike Harrow who served the team for many years in various roles, as coach and captain. The Canberra Knights finished the 2007 season on 20 points, in seventh place.

2008-2014

With the loss of Brad Hunt and Mike Harrow, the 2008 season will open the doors to new imports and junior players moving up to the AIHL. With goal tender Nick Eckhardt will getting more ice time with the team, and the likely return of Finnish imports Hakala and Teisala, the Canberra Knights are set to be a strong team in the 2008 AIHL season. On 26 February 2014 club owner John Raut announced that the team have folded operations effective immediately and would not be competing in the upcoming 2014 AIHL season. Raut cited financial costs, lack of local players and poor performance as the reasons behind the move. [7] [8] The following day it was announced that the player group headed by captain Mark Rummukainen have approached the AIHL with plans on taking on the club's licence. [9] The following month the league announced that the Knights had been replaced in the league by the CBR Brave. [10] Knights owner, John Raut, will keep possession of the Knights brand and has suggested reviving the team in the future to play in the East Coast Super League. [11]

Championships

Champions (1): 1998
Champions (0):
Runners-Up (1): 1983

Team Colours

Canberra Knights Alternative Logo found on away jerseys CanberraKnightsLogo.jpg
Canberra Knights Alternative Logo found on away jerseys

The Canberra Knights logo shows a teal-coloured Knight wielding a hockey stick. Behind him is a silver shield, with the words Canberra Knights below him, and the entire logo is outlined in white. Prior to the 2005 season, the Knights had a logo which is now used on the away jerseys. It is simply a picture of a puck, with the words "Canberra Knights" printed across the front.

Jerseys

The team's colours are teal, silver, black and white. The home jerseys for the Canberra Knights are black, and have the logo on the front, with the old logo on the shoulder, with white numbers and names. They are based on the San Jose Sharks alternate jerseys. The away jerseys are white and have the old logo on the front, with the new logo on the shoulder, and have black numbers and names. Prior to the 2005 season the Knights wore teal-coloured jerseys, with the old logo on the front, and white numbers and names.

Season-by-season record

1992 Canberra Knights - Steven Woods (A), Jason Elliot (G) and Al McLean Knights 1992 - Woods Elliot McLean.jpg
1992 Canberra Knights – Steven Woods (A), Jason Elliot (G) and Al McLean
ChampionsRunners-upThird Place
Canberra Knights all-time AIHL record
SeasonRegular seasonFinals weekendTop points scorer
PWT1LSWSLGFGAGDPtsFinishPWLGFGAResultSemi-finalGoodall Cup finalNamePoints
2000 Information not availableInformation not available
2001 161015––53109-5623rd–Information not available
2002 208012––6082-22165th– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Lehoczky15
2003 8008––1664-4806th– Flag of Finland.svg Saku Martikainen7
2004 2031142053109-56146th– Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Rowe19
2005 26112130096102-6355th– Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Shaun Fairweather46
2006 283–241074185-111118th– Flag of Finland.svg Arto Roimola35
2007 286–200284124-40207th– Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael Harrow34
2008 2810–151291107-16345th– Flag of Finland.svg Marko Raita42
2009 244–181160120-60156th– Flag of Finland.svg Marko Raita25
2010 245–160379131-52186th– Flag of the United States.svg Sean Scarbrough41
2011 288–2000119167-48247th– Flag of the United States.svg Addison DeBoer85
2012 244–144273116-43224th, Bauer– Flag of the United States.svg Nic Polaski32
2013 282–250151181-13078th– Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jordan Braid26
1As of the 2006 AIHL season, all games have a winner.

Players and personnel

Team captains

Mark Persick, former Canberra Knights captain Mark Persick.jpg
Mark Persick, former Canberra Knights captain

Head coaches

Players

  • Most goals in a season: Shaun Fairweather, 24 (2005)
  • Most assists in a season: Mike Harrow, 31 (2005)
  • Most points in a season: Shaun Fairweather, 46 (2005)
  • Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Trevor Ross, 189 (2005)

Team

  • Most points in a season: 35 (2005)
  • Most wins in a season: 11 (2005)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Ice Hockey League</span> Australias top-level ice hockey league

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) is Australia's top-level ice hockey league. Established in 2000, the AIHL is sanctioned by Ice Hockey Australia. The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) was founded in 2000, with the inaugural season beginning in 2002. The league was created with the goal of bringing a higher level of ice hockey to Australia and giving local players the opportunity to compete at a high level. The league started with just four teams, but has since expanded to ten teams across Australia. The current teams are the Adelaide Adrenaline, Melbourne Mustangs, Melbourne Ice, Newcastle Northstars, Perth Thunder, Sydney Bears, Sydney Ice Dogs, Canberra Brave, and now Central Coast Rhinos and Brisbane Lightning. The AIHL has also been successful in promoting the sport of ice hockey in Australia, with increased interest and participation in the sport over the years. The league has continued to grow and evolve, with improvements in facilities, equipment, and player development.The league is run by its own board of directors led by the AIHL commissioner. The AIHL is considered a semi-professional league with players receiving a variety of benefits such as a weekly stipend, travel expenses, motor vehicles and accommodation. The AIHL champion is awarded the Goodall Cup, the world's third oldest ice hockey trophy, having been first awarded in 1909. The AIHL is currently contested by 10 franchised teams from five Australian states and territories. The Newcastle Northstars have claimed the championship six times, with the Melbourne Ice having claimed four, The current champions, from 2022, are the CBR Brave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne Ice</span> Ice hockey team in Melbourne, Victoria

The Melbourne Ice are an ice hockey team based in Melbourne, Victoria. The team has won the AIHL championship four times, in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017. The Melbourne Ice has a strong fan base and plays its home games at the O'Brien Icehouse, which is located in the Docklands precinct of central Melbourne. The "Icehouse" is the only Olympic- sized ice rink in Australia. The club has also been involved in promoting ice hockey in Australia, with programs aimed at introducing the sport to new players and developing young talent. The Melbourne Ice Women's team was established in 2013 and has competed in the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) since then. The club also has a junior club and program of about 100 kids aged from 6-18 y.o. Page 2 of 2 Overall, the Melbourne Ice Hockey Club has played a significant role in the development and growth of ice hockey in Australia and has become one of the most successful and popular teams in the AIHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle Northstars</span> Ice hockey team in Newcastle, NSW

The Newcastle Northstars is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Newcastle, New South Wales. The Northstars are a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), joining as an expansion team in 2002. The team is based at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay, a suburb of Lake Macquarie, 15 kilometres south-west of Newcastle. The Northstars are affiliated with the ice hockey club of the same name and have won six Goodall Cups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide Adrenaline</span> Ice hockey team in Adelaide, South Australia

The Adelaide Adrenaline is a semi-professional ice hockey team based in Adelaide, South Australia. The team is a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The team was founded in 2008 as the Adelaide A's to replace the defunct Adelaide Avalanche who folded mid-season. The team plays its home games at the IceArenA, located in the suburb of Thebarton. The Adrenaline are one time Goodall Cup champions from 2009.

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

The Sydney Bears is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Sydney, New South Wales. Established in 1982, the Bears are the only remaining founding member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) still operating. The Bears are based at Macquarie Ice Rink, within the Macquarie Centre, in the northern suburbs of Sydney. The Sydney Bears have claimed three Goodall Cups in 2002, 2003 and 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Coast Blue Tongues</span> Ice hockey team in Gold Coast, Queensland

The Gold Coast Blue Tongues was a semi-professional ice hockey team based in Bundall, Queensland, Australia. The team was a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The Blue Tongues were founded in 2005 as an expansion AIHL team and played in the league for eight seasons between 2005 and 2012. The team’s home venue was Iceland Bundall, located on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The Blue Tongues never won any major titles and ceased operations in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Ice Dogs</span> Ice hockey team in Sydney, NSW

The Sydney Ice Dogs is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 2002, the Ice Dogs are a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The Ice Dogs are two time Goodall Cup champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Coast Rhinos</span> Ice hockey team in Erina, New South Wales

The Central Coast Rhinos is a semi-professional ice hockey team based in Erina, New South Wales, Australia. The team is a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The team was founded in 2005 as an expansion AIHL team and played in the league for four seasons between 2005 and 2008, before formally rejoining the AIHL in 2022. The Rhinos left the league in 2009 and joined the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup, where it competed for four seasons between 2009 and 2012. The Rhinos home venue is the Erina Ice Arena, located within the Erina Fair Shopping Centre on the New South Wales Central Coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Coast Super League</span>

The East Coast Super League (ECSL), is an ice hockey league in New South Wales, Australia. The league was formed in 2002 by New South Wales Ice Hockey's amalgamation of the former Junior and Senior A leagues. It is Australia's second highest level of ice hockey, and acts as a bridge between junior leagues and the AIHL. Five of the teams are based in Sydney and one is based in Newcastle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide Avalanche</span> Ice hockey team in Adelaide, South Australia

The Adelaide Avalanche was a semi-professional ice hockey club based in the Adelaide suburb of Thebarton, South Australia. The Avalanche, founded in 1999, was a founding member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The team's home venue was the Snowdome Adelaide. The Avalanche competed in the AIHL for eight years, from its inaugural season in 2000 until 17 June 2008, when the club was replaced with the Snowdome's own team, Adelaide A's, after its AIHL licence was revoked due to financial issues. During the club's lifetime, the Avalanche won four AIHL premierships and two AIHL championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne Mustangs</span> Ice hockey team in Melbourne, Victoria

The Melbourne Mustangs is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 2010, the Mustangs have been a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) since 2011. The Mustangs are based at the O'Brien Icehouse in the Docklands district of Melbourne. The Mustangs are one time Goodall Cup and H Newman Reid Trophy winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Women's Ice Hockey League</span> Premier womens ice hockey league in Australia

The Australian Women's Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) is Australia's top-tier women's ice hockey league. Established in 2005 as Australia's first women's national league, the AWIHL has amateur status and is sanctioned by Ice Hockey Australia. The AWIHL is currently contested by five teams from five Australian states, including South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria. The league champion is awarded the Joan McKowen Memorial Trophy and the premier is awarded the Stephanie Boxall Trophy. The most successful team in AWIHL history is Melbourne Ice, who have claimed seven championship titles. The current champion, from 2019–20, is the Sydney Sirens, who claimed their second title.

The 2013 AIHL season was the 14th season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It ran from 20 April 2013 until 1 September 2013, with the Goodall Cup finals following on the 7 and 8 September. The Sydney Ice Dogs won both the H Newman Ried Trophy for finishing first in the regular season, and the Goodall Cup after defeating the Newcastle North Stars in the final.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CBR Brave</span> Ice hockey team in Canberra, ACT

The CBR 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 two Goodall Cup championships and three H Newman Reid Trophy premierships.

The 2014 AIHL season was the 15th season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It ran from 12 April 2014 until 24 August 2014, with the Goodall Cup finals following on 30 and 31 August. The Melbourne Mustangs won both the H Newman Reid Trophy for finishing first in the regular season, and the Goodall Cup after defeating the Melbourne Ice in the final.

The 2015 AIHL season was the 16th season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It ran from 25 April 2015, until 23 August 2015, with the Goodall Cup finals following on 29 and 30 August. The Newcastle North Stars won both the H Newman Reid Trophy for finishing first in the regular season, and the Goodall Cup after defeating the Melbourne Ice in the final.

Stephen Blunden is a Canadian semi-professional ice hockey forward or left winger who plays for CBR Brave in the Australian Ice Hockey League in Australia. A Canadian youth product, Blunden has risen through the Canadian league and university system with Gloucester Rangers, Belleville Bulls, Ottawa 67’s and the University of Ottawa. In 2014 Stephen expanded his hockey career by linking up with Australian phoenix club CBR Brave. During the AIHL off-season Stephen linked up with French second division side HC Cholet before returning to the Brave for the 2015 AIHL season.

The 2017 AIHL season was the 18th season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It ran from 22 April 2017 until 27 August 2017, with the Goodall Cup finals following on 2 and 3 September. The Melbourne Ice won both the H Newman Reid Trophy for finishing first in the regular season, and the Goodall Cup after defeating the CBR Brave in the final.

The 2015 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 2nd season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 25 April 2015 to 29 August 2015 for the Brave. CBR finished fourth in the regular season behind the Newcastle North Stars, Melbourne Ice and Perth Thunder. The Brave qualified for the AIHL Finals in Melbourne and played in semi-final one. Canberra were defeated by league premiers, the Newcastle North Stars, 3–4 in their semi-final match and were knocked out of the finals weekend, ending their season.

The 2021 AIHL season was going to be the 21st season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), following the cancellation of the 2020 season. However, on 2 February 2021, the AIHL announced the season would not go ahead, citing ongoing border restriction issues between different Australian states as the reason for the cancellation. For the second year in a row, the Goodall Cup would not be contested.

References

  1. ↑ "Canberra Knights: 1981–2014". icelegendsaustralia.com. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Jason Elliot stars in Cornell win". 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  3. ↑ "Jason Elliot waves to fans in Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Parade 2002". 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  4. ↑ "Jason Elliot's HockeyDB career page". 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  5. ↑ "ECSL Website". 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  6. ↑ "Official AIHL Website Statistics". 2007. Archived from the original on 18 April 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  7. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (26 February 2014). "Canberra Knights on thin ice after 33 years in existence". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Meister, Chris (26 February 2014). "Knights Fall on Their Sword". Hewitt Sports Network. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (27 February 2014). "Canberra Knights not dead and buried yet". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  10. ↑ McMurty, Andrew (5 March 2014). "CBR Brave Granted Provisional License". Australian Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (3 March 2014). "Canberra ice hockey Knights close to making a return". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.