2024 AIHL season | |
---|---|
League | Australian Ice Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | 6 April 2024 – 25 August 2024 |
Regular season | |
Goodall Cup |
The 2024 AIHL season is the 23nd season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The season consists of 155 total games, split between the 150 games regular season and 5 game Goodall Cup Finals post-season. The regular season is scheduled to run from 6 April to 11 August 2024. The Finals are scheduled to run from 23–25 August 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
Teams
In 2024 the AIHL had 10 teams split into two conferences, Rurak and Hellyer, competing in the league.[1]
Hellyer Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Team | City | Arena | Head Coach | Captain |
Melbourne Ice | Melbourne | O'Brien Icehouse | Kerry Goulet | Mackenzie Caruana |
Melbourne Mustangs | Melbourne | O'Brien Icehouse | Scott Timmins | Todd Cutter |
Perth Thunder | Perth | Perth Ice Arena | Benjamin Breault | Jamie Woodman |
Sydney Bears | Sydney | Macquarie Ice Rink | Tyler Huberty | Ryan Annesley |
Sydney Ice Dogs | Sydney | Macquarie Ice Rink | Jason Kvisle | Daniel Pataky |
Rurak Conference | ||||
Team | City | Arena | Head Coach | Captain |
Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide | Adelaide IceArenA | Kaden Elder | Joey MacDougall |
Brisbane Lightning | Brisbane | Boondall Iceworld | Terry Kiliwnik | No Captain |
Canberra Brave | Canberra | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | Stuart Philps | Kai Miettinen |
Central Coast Rhinos | Central Coast | Erina Ice Arena | Ron Kuprowsky | Robert Malloy |
Newcastle Northstars | Newcastle | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Kevin Noble | Liam Manwarring |
League Business
The 2024 regular season fixture list was released publicly by the AIHL on 21 October, confirming all 10 teams from 2023 would be returning to compete in 2024.[2] 2024 AIHL Finals information was released by the league in February 2024, confirming dates and location.[1] The Goodall Cup, H Newman Reid Trophy, Rurak and Hellyer conference trophies would continue to the be prizes AIHL teams would compete for in 2024. The league held its official season launch event at Bondi Icebergs Club on 20 march 2024. Mick McCormack was appointed as the first patron of the AIHL at the event.[3]
The AIHL confirmed AIHL.TV would return in 2024 on 4 March. The paid service would provide live and on-demand online streaming of all AIHL regular season and finals games, 155 games in total.[4] With the sudden collapse of 2023 service provided Clutch in late 2023, the service provider for AIHL.TV in 2024 moved to Swedish company StayLive AB.[5] Thought fox Media Group, ATC Productions, Spacequake Sports and Front Row Screens (FRS Sport) continue as the four local production companies associated with the service. 2023 season streams would also be made available on the service.[6]
Exhibition games
In 2024, the Newcastle Northstars and Central Coast Rhinos were the only two teams to schedule exhibitions games. The pair faced off over two games in Newcastle and Erina, Central Coast in March 2024. Apart from these two exhibition games, the Sydney Ice Dogs, Brisbane Lightning and Adelaide Adrenaline arranged intraclub pre-season exhibition games. This included a early March men’s and women’s showcase in Brisbane and a alumni vs current team match-up in Adelaide in early April.[7]
2024 AIHL exhibition games | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
16 March 2024 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 8–3 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Ref |
23 March 2024 | 15:15 | Newcastle Northstars | 2–3 (OT) | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | Ref |
Personnel changes
Ron Kuprowsky ended his five-year stint with the Sydney Bears as their head coach in October 2023. During this time, Ron guided the Bears to two consecutive grand finals appearances, one Hellyer conference trophy and one championship title.[8] Kuprowsky was later unveiled as the new head coach of the Central Coast Rhinos in December 2023, replacing Ashley Marsh. Marsh moved into a new coaching role with the Rhinos.[9] In February 2024, the Brisbane Lightning announced the hiring of the vastly experienced Canadian Mike Sirant as an associate coach. Sirant joined the Queenslanders after stepping down from his 30-year position as head coach of the University of Manitoba hockey program.[10] In April 2024, Both the Sydney Bears and Melbourne Mustangs appointed new head coaches. American Tyler Huberty took over the vacant head coaching role at the Bears. Huberty moved to Sydney after spending four years as the assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma hockey program.[11] Scott Timmins takes over head coaching responsibilities for the Mustangs but remains on the playing roster too. Timmins links up for the Mustangs for the third season in a row but his first as a player/coach. Timmins replaces Jon Moses, who was acting interim coach for the second half of last season following the departure of Patrick McMahon.[12]
In June 2024, the Adelaide Adrenaline released Stu Henly from his head coaching duties and appointed Canadian forward Kaden Elder has player/coach for the remainder of the 2024 season.[13]
Player transfers
All player transfers by the ten AIHL teams for season 2024.[14][15][16][17]
New signings
|
Players lost
|
Regular season
Fixtures and results
The 2024 regular season consists of 150 games that are scheduled to run from 6 April to 11 August 2024. Teams are split into two five-team conferences named Rurak and Hellyer. Each team plays a total of 30 regular season games, playing each other team in their conference four times (two at home and two away) and playing teams outside their conference two to three times.[18]
April
April | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
1 | 6 Apr 2024 | 16:45 | Perth Thunder | 6–8 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [1] |
2 | 6 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Canberra Brave | 3–7 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [2] |
3 | 6 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 1–11 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [3] |
4 | 6 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [4] |
5 | 7 Apr 2024 | 14:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 0–9 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [5] |
6 | 7 Apr 2024 | 15:45 | Perth Thunder | 5–1 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [6] |
7 | 7 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Canberra Brave | 6–1 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [7] |
8 | 13 Apr 2024 | 15:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 14–1 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [8] |
9 | 13 Apr 2024 | 16:30 | Sydney Bears | 3–4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide Ice Arena | [9] |
10 | 13 Apr 2024 | 16:30 | Canberra Brave | 2–7 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [10] |
11 | 13 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 2–5 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [11] |
12 | 14 Apr 2024 | 14:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 4–7 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [12] |
13 | 14 Apr 2024 | 16:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 3–7 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [13] |
14 | 14 Apr 2024 | 16:30 | Canberra Brave | 3–6 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [14] |
15 | 19 Apr 2024 | 19:30 | Sydney Bears | 9–2 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [15] |
16 | 20 Apr 2024 | 15:30 | Sydney Bears | 8–4 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [16] |
17 | 20 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 5–2 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [17] |
18 | 20 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 1–4 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [18] |
19 | 20 Apr 2024 | 17:15 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–2 | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [19] |
20 | 21 Apr 2024 | 14:00 | Perth Thunder | 3–7 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [20] |
21 | 21 Apr 2024 | 16:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 3–4 (OT) | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [21] |
22 | 21 Apr 2024 | 16:45 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–2 | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [22] |
23 | 26 Apr 2024 | 19:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–5 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [23] |
24 | 27 Apr 2024 | 16:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 0–1 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [24] |
25 | 27 Apr 2024 | 16:45 | Central Coast Rhinos | 1–2 (OT) | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [25] |
26 | 27 Apr 2024 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 9–7 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [26] |
27 | 27 Apr 2024 | 17:15 | Newcastle Northstars | 6–2 | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [27] |
28 | 28 Apr 2024 | 14:00 | Sydney Bears | 2–4 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [28] |
29 | 28 Apr 2024 | 15:45 | Central Coast Rhinos | 5–2 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [29] |
30 | 28 Apr 2024 | 16:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 6–5 (SO) | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [30] |
May
May | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
31 | 4 May 2024 | 15:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 7–4 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [31] |
32 | 4 May 2024 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 6–5 (OT) | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [32] |
33 | 4 May 2024 | 17:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–3 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [33] |
34 | 4 May 2024 | 17:15 | Melbourne Ice | 4–3 (SO) | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [34] |
35 | 5 May 2024 | 15:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 0–1 (SO) | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [35] |
36 | 5 May 2024 | 16:00 | Sydney Bears | 9–2 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [36] |
37 | 5 May 2024 | 16:45 | Melbourne Ice | 3–1 | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [37] |
38 | 5 May 2024 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–5 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [38] |
39 | 11 May 2024 | 16:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 7–2 | Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide Ice Arena | [39] |
40 | 11 May 2024 | 16:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 3–9 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [40] |
41 | 11 May 2024 | 16:45 | Sydney Bears | 4–1 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [41] |
42 | 11 May 2024 | 17:00 | Canberra Brave | 2–4 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [42] |
43 | 11 May 2024 | 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 4–3 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [43] |
44 | 12 May 2024 | 14:00 | Canberra Brave | 3–4 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [44] |
45 | 12 May 2024 | 15:45 | Sydney Bears | 8–1 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [45] |
46 | 18 May 2024 | 16:30 | Canberra Brave | 7–6 (SO) | Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide Ice Arena | [46] |
47 | 18 May 2024 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 4–0 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [47] |
48 | 18 May 2024 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 1–9 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [48] |
49 | 18 May 2024 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 5–3 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [49] |
50 | 18 May 2024 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 4–3 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [50] |
51 | 19 May 2024 | 14:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 1–14 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [51] |
52 | 19 May 2024 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 5–6 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [52] |
53 | 19 May 2024 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 6–9 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [53] |
54 | 19 May 2024 | 17:00 | Canberra Brave | 4–1 | Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide Ice Arena | [54] |
55 | 25 May 2024 | 13:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–5 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [55] |
56 | 25 May 2024 | 15:30 | Sydney Bears | 4–3 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [56] |
57 | 25 May 2024 | 17:00 | Canberra Brave | 2–4 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [57] |
58 | 25 May 2024 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 1–6 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [58] |
59 | 25 May 2024 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 8–2 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [59] |
60 | 26 May 2024 | 13:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 3–6 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [60] |
61 | 26 May 2024 | 15:30 | Perth Thunder | 4–3 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [61] |
62 | 26 May 2024 | 16:45 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 1–5 | Canberra Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [62] |
63 | 26 May 2024 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 2–1 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [63] |
64 | 26 May 2024 | 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 1–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [64] |
Key:
Winner |
Standings
Overall
Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sydney Bears | 19 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 112 | 60 | +52 | 47 | 2024 Goodall Cup Finals |
2 | Melbourne Ice | 19 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 105 | 49 | +56 | 47 | |
3 | Perth Thunder | 18 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 75 | 54 | +21 | 36 | |
4 | Newcastle Northstars | 18 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 81 | 72 | +9 | 30 | |
5 | Melbourne Mustangs | 18 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 81 | 72 | +9 | 26 | |
6 | Canberra Brave | 19 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 71 | 78 | −7 | 21 | |
7 | Brisbane Lightning | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 50 | 77 | −27 | 18 | |
8 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 15 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 52 | −15 | 16 | |
9 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 55 | 84 | −29 | 13 | |
10 | Central Coast Rhinos | 18 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 45 | 114 | −69 | 10 |
Rules for classification:
Tie-break: 1) points; 2) points percentage; 3) head to head; 4) goal difference; 5) goals scored; 6) coin toss
Points: 3 points for regulation win; 2 points for OT or SO win; 1 point for OT or SO loss; 0 points for regulation loss
Hellyer Conference
Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sydney Bears | 19 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 112 | 60 | +52 | 47 | 2024 Goodall Cup Finals |
2 | Melbourne Ice | 19 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 105 | 49 | +56 | 47 | |
3 | Perth Thunder | 18 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 75 | 54 | +21 | 36 | |
4 | Melbourne Mustangs | 18 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 81 | 72 | +9 | 26 | |
5 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 55 | 84 | −29 | 13 |
Rules for classification:
Tie-break: 1) points; 2) points percentage; 3) head to head; 4) goal difference; 5) goals scored; 6) coin toss
Points: 3 points for regulation win; 2 points for OT or SO win; 1 point for OT or SO loss; 0 points for regulation loss
Rurak Conference
Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Newcastle Northstars | 18 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 81 | 72 | +9 | 30 | 2024 Goodall Cup Finals |
2 | Canberra Brave | 19 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 71 | 78 | −7 | 21 | |
3 | Brisbane Lightning | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 50 | 77 | −27 | 18 | |
4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 15 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 52 | −15 | 16 | |
5 | Central Coast Rhinos | 18 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 45 | 114 | −69 | 10 |
Rules for classification:
Tie-break: 1) points; 2) points percentage; 3) head to head; 4) goal difference; 5) goals scored; 6) coin toss
Points: 3 points for regulation win; 2 points for OT or SO win; 1 point for OT or SO loss; 0 points for regulation loss
Awards
Skaters Network player of the week
Each week the AIHL, through sponsorship, names a player of the week.[19]
The award is based on the following criteria:
- individual performance, including significant game statistics;
- contribution to the team's success through individual leadership abilities; and
- performance off the ice, including community engagement.
Round | Awarded to | Pos | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Joey Hughes | F | Ref |
2 | Wehebe Darge | F | Ref |
3 | Noah Moncrieff | F | Ref |
4 | Dmitri Kuleshov | F | Ref |
5 | Dmitri Kuleshov | F | Ref |
6 | Jamie Bourke | F | Ref |
7 | Casey Kubara | F | Ref |
8 | Kieren Webster | F | Ref |
9 | Robert Haselhurst | D | Ref |
10 | Daniel Chen | F | Ref |
Goodall Cup playoffs
For season 2024, the AIHL adopted another new Finals format not previously used by the league. Six teams will qualify, three from each conference, to play five games in three days. AIHL Finals uses single-game elimination with winning teams advancing to the next round and losing teams eliminated. Melbourne's O'Brien Icehouse will host Finals once again for the 11th time. Finals winners are crowned AIHL Champions and claim the historic Goodall Cup. Man of the match in the grand final is named AIHL Finals MVP.[20]
References
- ^ a b Hartshorne, Peter (26 February 2024). "Welcome to the AIHL in 2024" (PDF). Australian Ice Hockey League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (21 October 2023). "2024 AIHL season schedule released". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Australian Ice Hockey League season launch 2024". Hockey Hype Australia. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Hartshorne, Peter (2 March 2024). "2024 MEDIA RELEASE #2 – AIJL.TV – March 2" (PDF). Australian Ice Hockey League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Poletti (28 September 2023). "Cluch TV enters administration, sporting organisations left scrambling". theinnersanctum.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ O'Connor, Sean (17 March 2024). "Everything you need to know about AIHL.TV in 2024". Hockey Hype Australia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee. "2024 AIHL preseason". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (31 October 2023). "Head coach Ron Kuprowsky departs the Sydney Bears". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (2 December 2023). "Central Coast Rhinos appoint Ron Kuprowsky as head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Macdougall, Andrew (29 February 2024). "Brisbane Lightning announce Mike Sirant as associate coach". Hockey Hype Australia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Goodenough, Gordon (4 April 2024). "Sydney Bears' Head Coach Tyler Huberty: 'I'm expecting our team to have a very successful season'". Hockey Hype Australia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Macdougall, Andrew (7 April 2024). "Scott Timmins named Mustangs' Head Coach". Hockey Hype Australia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (9 June 2024). "Elder replaces Henly as Adrenaline head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (1 April 2024). "2024 AIHL season player announcements". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (13 September 2023). "Brisbane Lightning captain Damian Bright retires". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (14 November 2023). "Perth Thunder forward Andrew Cox retires". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (27 September 2023). "Sydney Bears forward Joshua Lammon retires". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lee (2 November 2022). "2023 AIHL season schedule released". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Skaters Network Local Player of the Week". theaihl.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ O'Connor, Sean (8 March 2024). "In the Slot: Let's talk AIHL Finals". Hockey Hype Australia. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.