The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. The Whalers are off to a better start this season with a win over the Melbourne Glacier’s Thursday Night. It could be a sign that things will be different compared to last year. Coach Michael Flaherty likes the look of his new line up and injection of Youth “The young talent that has come through this season is exciting and we have room for dramatic improvement from last year”. Last Year Season Ranking = 6th Last Year Final Ranking = 6th Additions: Evan Connard, Marc Bortolotto, Adam Bunting, Aleksander Anderson, Liam McConnell, Fraser Ohlson (G) Subtractions: Remi Beland (Age), Nickolaos French (Overseas), Ryan Foll(Adelaide), Theodore Fabijan(Adelaide), Zahan Shafeeg(Age), Ariel Singer, Mackenzie Hill, Paul Lazzarotto, Chris Wong Forwards Sam Stewart Robbie Rama (F/D) Andrew Johns Byron Tschuma Adam Bunting Harrison McQuade Aleksander Anderson Liam McConnell Marc Bortolotto Defence Harrison Jaunozols Damian Pandolfo Nick Norton Evan Connard Taras Cheprakov (IR) Goal Fraser Ohlson (G) Similar to the Glaciers last season, the scoring has been generated from the blue line as both Jaunozols and Pandolfo were amongst the teams top scorers. Whilst goals are important Flaherty is keen to tighten up his defence. “Our defensive structure needs to improve from last season and will be a key focus. We need to lighten up the workload for our goalie and contribute more offensively as well”. That goalie is ex-Glaciers net minder Fraser Ohlson who has already put one over his old team. When it comes to contributing offensively rookie forward Byron Tschuma is off to a great start scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in the Home Derby on Thursday. The team also starts the year without Taras Cheprakov (3G, 1A in 4 games) who is out with a shoulder injury. He is expected back in January and can hopefully join the Whalers in a push for the finals.
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AJIHL Season Preview: Melbourne Glaciers
The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. Additions: Darcy Flanagan, Jacob Haley, Joseph Davies, Edwin Johnstone, Caleb Butler Subtractions: Lenny Lee, Sam Hodic, Scott Maloney, David Sowa Last years season ranking = 3rd Last years final ranking = 3rd Forwards Brayden Martin Tim Vanderwolf Peter Colossimo Gavin Birchler (F/D) Joseph Davies Edwin Johnstone Caleb Butler Defence Corey Stringer Bryan Birchler Darcy Flanagan David Foster Jacob Haley Goal Jack Hayes The Glaciers fell short of the AJIHL Grand Final last year and will be keen to get back to work this season for another shot. Whilst they will lose the scoring touch of Lenny Lee (21 points in 16 games) and Sam Hodic (15 points in 15 games), the Glaciers still have plenty of production from their blue line thanks to Corey Stringer (8G,8A in 15 games) and Gavin Birchler (9G,3A in 16 games). Stringer has just come off his AIHL rookie season with the Mustangs and is expected to improve on last year’s totals. He will be backed up by a fellow Mustangs rookie in Jack Hayes in goal who played in 4 games for the big club and managed to collect a win in the process. Hayes was solid in net last season for the club with the 3rd best GAA (1.94), wins (tied second 7) and save percentage (90.6%). Glaciers have picked up Caleb Butler who did spend some time playing with the Melbourne Ice in 2012/2013 and should give the Glaciers a boost up front. Coach Doug Stevenson says fitness and team play will be the keys to success this season. The Glaciers take on the Whalers in their home Darby Thursday Night at the O’Brien Group Arena. 
AJIHL Season Preview: The Sydney Sabres
The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. The Sydney Sabres have always been a force in the AJIHL and this season looks to be no different. The Sabres pick up forward Cameron Smith who made his debut for the Sydney Ice Dogs in 2015 along with Sabres long time leading defenceman Daniel Pataky. The Sabres have an impressive mix of young AIHL players with the likes of Joshua Hansen and Saxon Air, as well as four players (Manwarring,Carini, Pataky and Hansen) representing the Australian Junior Team later this year. Below is a snapshot of the Sabres line up: 2014-2015 Season Ranking = 2nd 2014-2015 Final Ranking = 3rd Additions: Liam Manwarring, Cameron Smith (Drafted to Sabres), Aiden Silato, Pearcen Nicholson, Kory Sheridan, Joshua Kleipas, Branson Moore, Tim Russell (Drafted to Sabres), Mohak Issar, Charlie Yole, Dale Tilstead Subtractions: Luke Zvonicek (Drafted to Wolf Pack), Luke Shafren, Damien Sables, Bryan Costa (Age), Lachlan Allport (Overseas), Rhett Kelly (Age), Nathan Moncrieff (Injured), Corey Brown, Chris Shepherd (Age), Sam Lammert (Age). Forwards Liam Manwarring (Rookie) Ellesse Carini Cameron Smith Aiden Silato (Rookie) Saxon Air Pearcen Nicholson (Rookie) Cian O’Reilly Kory Sheridan (Rookie) Joshua Kleipas (Rookie) Mohak Issar (Rookie) Defence Daniel Pataky Joshua Hansen (Injured) Branson Moore (Rookie) Tim Russell Charlie Yole Goal Tyrone Mendoza – Kehlet Dale Tilstead (Rookie) Jason Kvisle and Jimmy Dufour return behind the bench for their fourth season at the Helm. Both coaches feeling pretty good about the upcoming season “We felt particularly good after leaving the NSW draft as they were happy with the group of talented players they were able to pick up”. They should feel good about this group. The addition of Junior Team debutant Liam Manwarring will be interesting to watch with his form at the State level and time spent overseas. Sabres Points leader Ellese Carini averaged over a point a game last season (9G, 8A in 15 games) and is also representing alongside Manwarring – Will Carini top this feat in his Sophomore season and lead the Sabres again? Whilst the Sabres lose a veteran in net in Rhett Kelly who was instrumental to their championship two years ago, the sabres will do just fine with Tyrone Mendoza – Kehlet. Kehlet led the league last season in GAA (1.44) and 8 wins. He will have a strong defensive unit in front of him again led by Pataky and Hansen that other teams will have to find a way around. The Sabres also mentioned in a statement that they want to keep the trophy in NSW “The past three AJIHL seasons have all been won by the NSW teams and we feel that with this team it is again our year to try and take out the championship”. With this line up they have a very good chance of doing so. The home derby between Sabres and Wolfpack will be one to watch this weekend Saturday October 31st 6:15pm at Penrith Ice Rink.
AWIHL Round 1 Wrap Up
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Alivia Del Basso was in fine form on Saturday night, as the Melbourne Ice opened their AWIHL season with a 6-4 victory against the Sydney Sirens at the O’Brien Group Arena. Alivia opened the scoring early on, before showing great chemistry with import debutant, Carly Rolph who scored a pair. The Sirens bombarded the Ice net with 50 shots on goal but ultimately weren’t able to steal the win. The Sirens’ aggressive, offensive breed of hockey didn’t do them any favours Sunday. The six penalties called against their team may not have proved crucial, but it certainly disrupted the flow of their game. The combination of Del Basso, Rolph and Shona Powell proved too strong for the Sirens; with all three walking away with goals and assists to their names, as the Ice secured a 7-5 win. The Sirens and Ice weren’t the only teams in a close battle this weekend as the Goannas and Adrenaline both staged comebacks to force shootouts. Saturday saw the Goannas race out to a 3-1 lead only to have the Adrenaline claw back 3-3 with 14 minutes to go. The Goannas took the lead again two more times of which rookie Abi Brown scored her first goal in a Goannas Uniform of which everyone thought could be the game winner at 5-4. Adrenaline coach Joey Rezek had other plans as he called a timeout and pulled his goalie. The move pulled off as the Adrenaline tied the game with less than a second left on the clock. Adrenaline Kirsty Venus managed to get the game winner as the fourth shooter completing a gutsy effort by both teams.
Sunday would see a role reversal. This time the Goannas staging the comeback from a 3-0 deficit. They scored three unanswered to force yet another shootout but the streak would end there as the Adrenaline put their shootout skills to work again emerging with the 4-3 win. The AWIHL will be back in two weeks November 7th and 8th as the Adelaide Adrenaline head to Sydney and the Goannas head south to Melbourne. For the full AWIHL schedule go to AWIHL 2015 Schedule Article Courtesy of Ryan Darnley
AJIHL Season Preview: The Sydney Wolf Pack
The fourth AJIHL season is just around the corner! The league has spawned some of the AIHL’s up and coming talent in the past and is a great way to see them in action before they hit the top level. If you are in need of a hockey fix and some cheap thrills then the AJIHL is the answer. As the countdown to the season approaches it is only fitting we bring you a preview of what each team can bring. 2014-2015 Season Ranking = 4th 2014-2015 Final Ranking = 1st Additions: Luke Zvonicek, Jackson Knight, Harrison Good, Dylan Lavery, Alex Elias, Ben Pullen, Marcus Richter, Tom Roberts. Subtractions: Scott Clemie (age), Jarrod Smith (age), Cameron Smith(drafted to Sabres) , Jake Burgess(age) , Jackson Knott(age) , Jack Oxlade, Tim Russell (drafted to Sabres) , Alex Olencewicz (Injured) Forwards Brendan Kong Patrick Nadin Jake Knott Nick Air Alex Elias Luke Zvonicek Harry Good Dylan Lavery Marcus Richter Defence Jackson Knight Charlie Frazer Danny Blazevic Bayley Kubara Morgan Leck Ben Pullen Tom Roberts Goal Jono Hughes There is a change of the old guard that won last season’s championship. As veterans Scott Clemie, Jarrod Smith and Jake Burgess all move on, the remaining core of Nadin, Kubara, Knott and Kong will be leant on to defend the championship. Whilst Cameron Smith is a big loss, the Wolf Pack have picked up Luke Zvonicek who is just as tenacious and also nifty around the net. Amelia Matheson is back behind the bench for the Wolf Pack and likes the combination of core and fresh faces “We have a fast and fit and extremely determined team. All the players are coming off their AIHL, ESCL and Midget seasons, so are ready to go. Whilst no team has won back to back just yet Matheson is confident in the makeup of this year’s team. “They all get on like brothers which is important for chemistry and in the conversations I have had so far they are all focused on winning again” She will be supported behind the bench this year by Michelle Cox. The Wolf Pack have a veteran in net they can count on in Jono Hughes, but Matheson stresses Defence still needs improvement from last year’s squad. “Whilst we have some of the best defenceman in Australia for their age groups, we need to still collectively execute the systems and get everyone on the same page quickly”. The Wolf Pack still have a solid core to do the job led by Patrick Nadin who enters his 3rd AJIHL season and is coming off his second AIHL season where he tallied 7 points for the Newcastle Northstars. Nadin will however be a part of what appears to be a younger outfit than last year with the addition of players such as Lavery, Good and Richter, who will have to handle the step up on a team that everyone will be hungry to beat. 