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The Australian Mighty Roos squad has been selected for the 2016 IIHF Division 2 Group B World Championships in Mexico City Mexico on April 9-15, 2016.

It’s a team with a lot of experience with four debutants – Richard Tesarik, Matt Stringer, Rob Haselhurst and Mat Lindsay, together with the return of Mark Rummukainen, Michael Schlamp, Sean Jones and Darren Corstens .

Mighty Roos Coach Brad Vigon said “the mix felt right for the campaign as Australia aim to claim gold in Mexico”.

“I think we have a great mix of guys that have had many years in the National team, such as Lliam, Huxley, Rummo as well as a few guys that have had a bit of experience, one or two tournaments and those that are getting their first crack as well,” Vigon said.

“The older guys will be expected to help to mentor our younger guys and really take them under their wing. I know most of the guys pretty well, and have had great feedback about the others and feel that each player will fit into what myself and Matti are trying to do.”

With Mexico City sitting over 2km above sea level, Vigon said the altitude will take some getting used to but the players should be well equipped to deal with it.

“As a group we need to make sure we are in peak condition going into the tournament,” Vigon said. “We will do a lot of work getting the guys comfortable with the systems we will use so that when we get there everyone will already have a pretty good idea of where they need to be in different situations.”

Entering the competition at 36th in the world, Australia will come up against stiff competition including Bulgaria (39th), Israel (33rd), New Zealand (37th), North Korea (42nd) and hosts Mexico (32nd).

Vigon admits there will be some tricky games as Australia hope to gain promotion to Division 2 Group A.

“Mexico will be tough especially at home, and Israel is a bit of a wild card,” Vigon said. “You never really know what to expect from them year to year. New Zealand is always a tough, hard fought game and because of the rivalry it is always close.”

The full Mighty Roos squad for the 2016 Division 2 Group B World Championships is:

Forwards
Darren Corstens (Adelaide Adrenaline)
Wehebe Darge (Adelaide Adrenaline)
Austin McKenzie (Melbourne Ice)
Lliam Webster (Melbourne Ice)
Mitch Humphries (Melbourne Ice)
Thomas Powell (Melbourne Ice)
Matt Stringer (Melbourne Mustangs)
Sean Jones (Melbourne Mustangs)
Jordan Kyros (Perth Thunder)
Cameron Todd (Sydney Bears)
Michael Schlamp (Sydney Bears)
Richard Tesarik (Sydney Bears)

Defence
David Huxley (Adelaide Adrenaline)
James Byers (CBR Brave)
Mark Rummukainen (CBR Brave)
Paul Baranzelli (Melbourne Ice)
Mat Lindsay (Newcastle North Stars)
Robert Malloy (Newcastle North Stars)
Robert Haselhurst (Perth Thunder)

Goaltenders
Anthony Kimlin (Whitby Dunlops)
Fraser Carson (Melbourne Mustangs)

Head Coach Brad Vigon
Assistant Coach Matti Luoma
Manager Ian Webster
Chef de Mission Steve Ransome
Team Doctor/Physio Danny George
Equipment Manager Joey Rezek

Article courtesy of: Andrew McMurtry

The Australian Mighty Roos senior men’s ice hockey team has a new coach with Brad Vigon taking on the role with a new-look coaching team.

Vigon had been the Melbourne Mustangs’ coach in the Australian Ice Hockey League up until early November when he stepped down after three seasons in the role, including winning the 2014 AIHL Championship.

Former CBR Brave coach Matti Luoma will be Vigon’s assistant as the team aims to get back into Division 2 Group A after being relegated from the group earlier this season.

After turning the Mustangs from a last-placed team to the AIHL champions in only two years and previous experience as assistant coach in the Mighty Roos’ 2013 World Championship campaign, Vigon had the confidence to put his name up for the top job.

“I had a chance to be an assistant coach with the national team a few years back with Vlad Rubes who was the head coach at the time,” Vigon said. “I learned a lot from him about how to prepare and the processes you need to go through. It was a fantastic experience and it was then that I knew I would like to have a chance to lead the team.”

Vigon has had a strong career in Australia, moving to the country at 35 years of age and joining the Melbourne Ice as a player then captain and assistant coach.

In his time in the AIHL, he tallied 100 points (43 goals, 57 assists) in 83 games between 2004-2010.

Prior to joining the Ice, Vigon had retired at the age of 24 after a stint as a professional hockey player in Europe and his native USA.

Vigon also represented Australia at the 2008 World Championships, pulling on the Mighty Roos jersey for the first time as a 39-year old, tallying five appearances with a goal and an assist in the campaign that saw Australia reach Division 1 for the first time.

“Anytime you have the chance to represent your country it is a huge honour,” Vigon said. “It had long been a dream of mine to play in a World Championship, but I had long since forgotten about it until I moved to Australia. I was completely taken by surprise that they asked me to play, as I wasn’t exactly a spring chicken at the time. But it all worked out and we won a gold medal to boot.”

“I never really thought that I would get the head coaching role. There are a lot of great coaches here and I consider myself very fortunate to be in this position.”

With plenty of achievements since arriving in Australia, Vigon said he had many highlights.

“My time in Australia has been full of memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Vigon said. “My first year in Melbourne, I was a player/coach for the Sharks in the Victorian League. At that time, all players who played in the AIHL also had to play in the local league so the level was very competitive. The team had finished dead last the season before and we won the championship.”

“Also playing for the Melbourne Ice in the formative years out of Oakleigh and helping to turn them into a contender was a great experience, as well as being an assistant coach with them during their first two championships. And I have to mention the Gold Medal with the Australia team and gaining promotion to Division One for the first time in the country’s history.”

As national team coach, Vigon hopes to lead the team to back to Division 2 Group A but also has a strong focus on developing the younger players on the team into strong international performers to help set the team up for the future.

“On paper at this point I like what I am seeing,” Vigon said. “We have a great mixture of youth and experience and a group of guys that I have no doubt will buy into what Matti Louma and I will lay out for them. They are hungry, and extremely motivated to get us back where we believe we belong.”

“The tough thing for Australia every year is the opposite season. Most teams, with the exception of New Zealand are coming right out of a season and are in top game shape, whereas most of our players haven’t played a real game in nearly six months, so guys need to get up to speed very quickly. Also the altitude in Mexico City will be a challenge for us, but we are taking every step necessary in order to minimise the impact.”

The Mighty Roos will play in the 2016 Division 2 Group B World Championships in Mexico City, Mexico on April 9-15. They will take on Bulgaria, Israel, North Korea, New Zealand and hosts Mexico.