| 2023 AIHL season | |
| League | Australian Ice Hockey League |
|---|---|
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | 15 April 2023 – 13 August 2023 |
| Regular season | |
| H Newman Reid Trophy | CBR Brave (4th title) |
| Top scorer | Scott Timmins (82 points) (Melbourne Mustangs) |
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.
Teams[]
In 2023 the AIHL had 10 teams split into two conferences 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 |  Pat McMahon |
Brendan McDowell
|
| Perth Thunder | Perth | Perth Ice Arena | Benjamin Breault |
James Woodman
|
| Sydney Bears | Sydney | Macquarie Ice Rink | Ron Kuprowsky |
Ryan Annesley
|
| Sydney Ice Dogs | Sydney | Macquarie Ice Rink | Jason Kvisle |
Daniel Pataky
|
| Rurak Conference | ||||
| Team | City | Arena | Head Coach | Captain |
| Adelaide Adrenaline | Adelaide | IceArenA | Stu Henly |
Joey MacDougall
|
| Brisbane Lightning | Brisbane | Boondall Iceworld | Terry Kiliwnik |
Damian Bright
|
| CBR Brave | Canberra | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | Stuart Philps |
Kai Miettinen
|
| Central Coast Rhinos | Central Coast | Erina Ice Arena |  Ashley Marsh |
Robert Malloy
|
| Newcastle Northstars | Newcastle | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Kevin Noble |
Liam Manwarring
|
League Business[]
The 2023 regular season fixture list was released publicly by the AIHL on 2 November 2022.[2] The AIHL Finals would be altered from 2022, moving to a two weekend format for the first time in league history.[1] League trophies would continue to be consistent with previous seasons, with the league champion awarded the historic Goodall Cup and league premier awarded the H Newman Reid Trophy. The League confirmed that the Adelaide Adrenaline and Perth Thunder would be returning to the league for 2023, after both teams pulled out of competing in 2022. The Adrenaline had secured a new venue agreement with the IceArenA, paving the way for their return.[3] While Western Australia no longer had any border restrictions, paving the way for the Thunder's return.[4] A new paid subscription streaming service named AIHL.TV was introduced by the AIHL for season 2023.[5] This marked the first time the league had ever brought in a paid streaming service for the regular season. All 130 regular season games and finals would be available live and on demand with yearly, monthly and weekly payment options.[6]
Expansion[]
Following a successful 2022 exhibition schedule, the AIHL announced the Brisbane Lightning and Central Coast Rhinos had both been successful in obtaining full AIHL licences and would be officially joining the league and regular season for 2023.[7][8] The two team expansion increased the league membership to ten teams for the first time, previously the highest membership number was nine teams in 2012.[9]
During pre-season, there had been discussions about the possibility for the Brisbane Rampage to join the league following the collapse of the Pacific Hockey League,[10] however the AIHL season schedule had already been organised and released publicly and season preparation had already advanced past the stage to accommodate a late addition. There was no public mention of exhibition games involving the Rampage and/or a pathway to obtaining a licence for the 2024 season.[11]
Exhibition games[]
In the lead up to Season 2023, eight exhibition games were organised between different AIHL teams. The Mustangs and Ice organised a two game series for February and March 2023. The second of these games doubled as a charity event for The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.[12] The Mustangs, Ice, O'Brien Icehouse and The District Docklands raised $30,109 for the hospital's Good Friday Appeal. The Brave and Lightning arranged a three game series to replace the missed series in August 2022 when the Brave pulled out due to prepartions for the AIHL Finals. Two games would be played in Brisbane and one in Canberra.[13] The Central Coast Rhinos lined up three pre-season games. One against the Sydney Bears at Erina Ice Arena[14] and two against the Newcastle Northstars, one at Erina and one in Newcastle.[15][16] In additional to the eight games, on 4 March 2023, the Melbourne Mustangs organised a delayed 10 year team anniversary reunion tournament invlolving current and former players, staff and supporters. The event saw 3 teams play in a round-robun tournament at O'Brien Icehouse.[17]
| 2023 AIHL exhibition games | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 25 Feb 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Ice | 3–1 | Melbourne Mustangs | O'Brien Icehouse | Ref |
| 4 Mar 2023 | 17:30 | CBR Brave | 5–4 | Brisbane Lightning | Boondall Iceworld | Ref |
| 5 Mar 2023 | 16:30 | CBR Brave | 6–0 | Brisbane Lightning | Boondall Iceworld | Ref |
| 25 Mar 2023 | 15:30 | Sydney Bears | 12–0 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | Ref |
| 31 Mar 2023 | 19:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 6–2 | Melbourne Ice | O'Brien Icehouse | Ref |
| 1 Apr 2023 | 17:15 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–6 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | Ref |
| 1 Apr 2023 | 15:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 6–4 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | Ref |
| 2 Apr 2023 | 16:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 3–10 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | Ref |
Personnel changes[]
2023 team staff and coaching changes included: Sydney Ice Dogs appointing a new head coach, Jason Kvisle, and associate coach, Jimmy Dufour, after letting Czech coach, Ondrej Cervenka, leave the team.[18][19] Melbourne Ice had a number of ins, outs and role changes at the team. Canadian Kerry Goulet was appointed head coach.[20] Sandy Gardner moved from head coach to assistant coach and is joined by Michael Flaherty and the rejoining Brent Laver.[21] Keira Dunwoody joins the Ice from the Melbourne Ducks and rounds out the coaching department.[21] In other team position changes at the Ice, Marie-Bernadette La Rose left her role as marketing manager after four years with the team,[22] while Erin Tempest and Trevor Dickson were appointed to the roles of Director Secretariate and Director of Hockey Operations respectively.[23][24] Melbourne Mustangs confirmed last season's head coach, Canadian Chris Lawrence would be returning to the team in 2023, but on the playing roster, so the Mustangs replaced Lawrence with American Pat McMahon, who had previous experience with Victorian junior teams and the Melbourne Ducks in the PHL in 2022.[25] Brisbane Lightning's admission into the AIHL brought with it early pre-season changes at the team. Peter Holmes joined the Lightning as general manager and governor, replacing the outgoing Josh Labrie (GM) and Matthew Meyer (governor).[26] Ash Jackson was then brought into the team in December 2022 as the new Director of Marketing, Media and Publicity. Ash has previous marketing campaign experience with the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and overseen projects with the AFL, FIFA and the ICC.[27] Melbourne Mustangs and head coach Patrick McMahon parted ways in July 2023 due to unforeseen circumstances that required him to travel home to America.[28]
Player transfers[]
All player transfers by the ten AIHL teams for season 2023.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]
New signings[]
|
Players lost[]
|
Regular season[]
Fixtures and results[]
The 2023 regular season consists of 130 games that are scheduled to run from 15 April 2023 to 13 August 2023. For the first time since 2012, the AIHL regular season sees teams split into two conferences. Teams will play a total of 26 regular season games, playing each team in their conference four times (two at home and two away) and playing teams outside their conference twice.[39] In May 2023, the game between Brisbane Lightning and Newcastle Northstars, scheduled for Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, had to be postponed due to luggage issues with the airline.[40] In June 2023, the Sydney Bears were found to have accidentally breached the AIHL player cap regulations and penalised three competition points.[41] The postponed Northstars vs Lightning game from May was rescheduled for 30 July 2023.[42]
April[]
| April | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 1 | 15 Apr 2023 | 15:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 17–0 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [1] |
| 2 | 15 Apr 2023 | 16:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–6 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [2] |
| 3 | 15 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 0–11 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [3] |
| 4 | 15 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 6–3 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [4] |
| 5 | 16 Apr 2023 | 14:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 4–8 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [5] |
| 6 | 16 Apr 2023 | 15:30 | CBR Brave | 5–3 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [6] |
| 7 | 16 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–8 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [7] |
| 8 | 22 Apr 2023 | 16:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 0–15 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [8] |
| 9 | 22 Apr 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Bears | 6–3 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [9] |
| 10 | 22 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 4–2 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [10] |
| 11 | 22 Apr 2023 | 17:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–3 (OT) | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [11] |
| 12 | 23 Apr 2023 | 14:00 | Perth Thunder | 4–5 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [12] |
| 13 | 23 Apr 2023 | 16:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 0–6 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [13] |
| 14 | 23 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | CBR Brave | 2–8 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [14] |
| 15 | 28 Apr 2023 | 19:30 | Melbourne Ice | 1–7 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [15] |
| 16 | 29 Apr 2023 | 15:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 9–3 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [16] |
| 17 | 29 Apr 2023 | 16:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 2–5 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [17] |
| 18 | 29 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 3–2 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [18] |
| 19 | 29 Apr 2023 | 17:00 | CBR Brave | 7–1 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [19] |
| 20 | 30 Apr 2023 | 14:00 | CBR Brave | 2–3 (SO) | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [20] |
| 21 | 30 Apr 2023 | 15:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 7–2 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [21] |
May[]
| May | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 22 | 5 May 2023 | 19:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [22] |
| 23 | 6 May 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–1 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [23] |
| 24 | 6 May 2023 | 16:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 3–8 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [24] |
| 25 | 6 May 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Ice | 4–7 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [25] |
| 26 | 6 May 2023 | 17:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 3–4 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [26] |
| 27 | 7 May 2023 | 16:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 3–13 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [27] |
| 28 | 7 May 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 4–5 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [28] |
| 29 | 7 May 2023 | 16:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–5 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [29] |
| 30 | 7 May 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Ice | 5–3 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [30] |
| 31 | 13 May 2023 | 15:30 | CBR Brave | 9–1 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [31] |
| 32 | 13 May 2023 | 16:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 4–2 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [32] |
| 33 | 13 May 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 5–4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [33] |
| 34 | 13 May 2023 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 3–8 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [34] |
| 35 | 14 May 2023 | 14:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 6–2 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [35] |
| 36 | 14 May 2023 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 2–5 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [36] |
| 37 | 20 May 2023 | 16:30 | Perth Thunder | 6–7 (SO) | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [37] |
| 38 | 20 May 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 7–3 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [38] |
| 39 | 20 May 2023 | 17:00 | CBR Brave | 4–1 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [39] |
| 40 | 20 May 2023 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 4–8 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [40] |
| 41 | 21 May 2023 | 14:00 | Sydney Bears | 3–1 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [41] |
| 42 | 26 May 2023 | 19:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 9–2 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [42] |
| 43 | 27 May 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 11–3 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [43] |
| 44 | 27 May 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 4–9 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [44] |
| 45 | 27 May 2023 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 4–6 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [45] |
| – | 27 May 2023 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | Postponed | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [46] |
| 47 | 27 May 2023 | 17:30 | Sydney Bears | 3–2 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [47] |
| 48 | 28 May 2023 | 14:00 | Perth Thunder | 6–2 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [48] |
| 49 | 28 May 2023 | 15:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–8 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [49] |
June[]
| June | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 50 | 3 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 2–7 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [50] |
| 51 | 3 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney ice Dogs | 5–9 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [51] |
| 52 | 3 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [52] |
| 53 | 3 Jun 2023 | 17:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 5–9 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [53] |
| 54 | 4 Jun 2023 | 14:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 8–9 (OT) | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [54] |
| 55 | 4 Jun 2023 | 15:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 5–6 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [55] |
| 56 | 4 Jun 2023 | 16:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 2–7 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [56] |
| 57 | 10 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 11–9 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [57] |
| 58 | 10 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 6–3 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [58] |
| 59 | 10 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 3–1 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [59] |
| 60 | 10 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–5 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [60] |
| 61 | 11 Jun 2023 | 12:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 6–5 (OT) | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [61] |
| 62 | 11 Jun 2023 | 15:00 | Perth Thunder | 5–6 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [62] |
| 63 | 11 Jun 2023 | 16:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–8 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [63] |
| 64 | 11 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Ice | 4–8 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [64] |
| 65 | 17 Jun 2023 | 15:30 | Melbourne Ice | 14–8 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [65] |
| 66 | 17 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 0–4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [66] |
| 67 | 17 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 6–1 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [67] |
| 68 | 17 Jun 2023 | 17:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 4–5 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [68] |
| 69 | 18 Jun 2023 | 12:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 7–4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [69] |
| 70 | 18 Jun 2023 | 15:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 6–2 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [70] |
| 71 | 18 Jun 2023 | 16:00 | Melbourne Ice | 7–9 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [71] |
| 72 | 18 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 6–5 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [72] |
| 73 | 23 Jun 2023 | 19:30 | Melbourne Ice | 3–6 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [73] |
| 74 | 24 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | CBR Brave | 7–4 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [74] |
| 75 | 24 Jun 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Bears | 4–2 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [75] |
| 76 | 24 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 4–11 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [76] |
| 77 | 24 Jun 2023 | 17:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–5 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [77] |
| 78 | 25 Jun 2023 | 14:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 3–4 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [78] |
| 79 | 25 Jun 2023 | 15:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–11 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [79] |
July[]
| July | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 80 | 1 Jul 2023 | 15:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 9–7 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [80] |
| 81 | 1 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | CBR Brave | 7–3 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [81] |
| 82 | 1 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Perth Thunder | 6–2 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [82] |
| 83 | 1 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Ice | 2–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [83] |
| 84 | 1 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–8 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [84] |
| 85 | 2 Jul 2023 | 15:00 | Melbourne Ice | 3–4 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [85] |
| 86 | 2 Jul 2023 | 15:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 9–5 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [86] |
| 87 | 2 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | CBR Brave | 9–2 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [87] |
| 88 | 2 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 3–8 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [88] |
| 89 | 8 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 4–5 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [89] |
| 90 | 8 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 6–1 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [90] |
| 91 | 8 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Newcastle Northstars | 5–1 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [91] |
| 92 | 8 Jul 2023 | 17:30 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 3–8 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [92] |
| 93 | 9 Jul 2023 | 16:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 1–8 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [93] |
| 94 | 9 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Ice | 7–5 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [94] |
| 95 | 9 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 9–2 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [95] |
| 96 | 14 Jul 2023 | 19:30 | Sydney Bears | 7–1 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [96] |
| 97 | 15 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 9–5 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [97] |
| 98 | 15 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 6–4 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [98] |
| 99 | 15 Jul 2023 | 17:30 | Perth Thunder | 4–3 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [99] |
| 100 | 16 Jul 2023 | 12:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 5–2 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [100] |
| 101 | 16 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Melbourne Mustangs | 5–2 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [101] |
| 102 | 21 Jul 2023 | 19:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 11–4 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [102] |
| 103 | 22 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–11 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [103] |
| 104 | 22 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 5–8 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [104] |
| 105 | 22 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 4–2 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [105] |
| 106 | 23 Jul 2023 | 14:00 | Sydney Bears | 9–7 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [106] |
| 107 | 23 Jul 2023 | 16:00 | Central Coast Rhinos | 0–10 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [107] |
| 108 | 23 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 2–7 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [108] |
| 109 | 23 Jul 2023 | 16:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 6–5 (SO) | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [109] |
| 110 | 29 Jul 2023 | 15:30 | Perth Thunder | 13–1 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [110] |
| 111 | 29 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 2–5 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [111] |
| 112 | 29 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 3–5 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [112] |
| 113 | 29 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | CBR Brave | 6–2 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [113] |
| 114 | 30 Jul 2023 | 14:00 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 5–7 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [114] |
| 46 | 30 Jul 2023 | 15:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 4–7 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [115] |
| 115 | 30 Jul 2023 | 15:30 | Sydney Bears | 4–2 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [116] |
| 116 | 30 Jul 2023 | 17:00 | Perth Thunder | 8–4 | Sydney Ice Dogs | Macquarie Ice Rink | [117] |
August[]
| August | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game # | Date | Time | Away | Score | Home | Location | Recap |
| 117 | 5 Aug 2023 | 15:30 | Brisbane Lightning | 20–1 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [118] |
| 118 | 5 Aug 2023 | 16:30 | CBR Brave | 13–3 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [119] |
| 119 | 5 Aug 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 8–10 | Melbourne Ice | O’Brien Icehouse | [120] |
| 120 | 5 Aug 2023 | 17:00 | Sydney Bears | 6–5 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [121] |
| 121 | 6 Aug 2023 | 12:30 | CBR Brave | 6–2 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [122] |
| 122 | 6 Aug 2023 | 14:00 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 3–7 | Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse | [123] |
| 123 | 6 Aug 2023 | 15:30 | Newcastle Northstars | 18–5 | Central Coast Rhinos | Erina Ice Arena | [124] |
| 124 | 6 Aug 2023 | 17:00 | Brisbane Lightning | 4–6 | Sydney Bears | Macquarie Ice Rink | [125] |
| 125 | 12 Aug 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Bears | 3–2 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [126] |
| 126 | 12 Aug 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 8–5 | Brisbane Lightning | Iceworld Boondall | [127] |
| 127 | 12 Aug 2023 | 16:30 | Melbourne Mustangs | 2–5 | Adelaide Adrenaline | IceArenA | [128] |
| 128 | 12 Aug 2023 | 17:30 | Central Coast Rhinos | 1–12 | CBR Brave | Phillip Ice Skating Centre | [129] |
| 129 | 13 Aug 2023 | 16:00 | CBR Brave | 5–7 | Newcastle Northstars | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium | [130] |
| 130 | 13 Aug 2023 | 16:30 | Sydney Bears | 1–6 | Perth Thunder | Perth Ice Arena | [131] |
Key:
| Winner |
Standings[]
Overall[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBR Brave (P) | 26 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 170 | 77 | +93 | 63 | 2023 Goodall Cup Finals |
| 2 | Sydney Bears | 26 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 132 | 81 | +51 | 60 | |
| 3 | Newcastle Northstars | 26 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 162 | 112 | +50 | 56 | |
| 4 | Melbourne Mustangs | 26 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 147 | 94 | +53 | 55 | |
| 5 | Perth Thunder | 26 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 141 | 90 | +51 | 52 | |
| 6 | Melbourne Ice | 26 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 144 | 165 | −21 | 30 | |
| 7 | Brisbane Lightning | 26 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 156 | 136 | +20 | 30 | 2023 Goodall Cup Finals |
| 8 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 26 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 104 | 159 | −55 | 23 | |
| 9 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 26 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 90 | 162 | −72 | 13 | |
| 10 | Central Coast Rhinos | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 75 | 245 | −170 | 5 |
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
Note: Sydney Bears deducted 3 points by the league for accidently breaching player cap regulations in June 2023.[41]
(P) Premiers
.
Hellyer Conference[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney Bears | 26 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 132 | 81 | +51 | 60 | 2023 Goodall Cup Finals |
| 2 | Melbourne Mustangs | 26 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 147 | 94 | +53 | 55 | |
| 3 | Perth Thunder | 26 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 141 | 90 | +51 | 52 | |
| 4 | Melbourne Ice | 26 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 144 | 165 | −21 | 30 | |
| 5 | Sydney Ice Dogs | 26 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 104 | 159 | −55 | 23 |
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
Note: Sydney Bears deducted 3 points by the league for accidently breaching player cap regulations in June 2023.[41]
Rurak Conference[]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBR Brave | 26 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 170 | 77 | +93 | 63 | 2023 Goodall Cup Finals |
| 2 | Newcastle Northstars | 26 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 162 | 112 | +50 | 56 | |
| 3 | Brisbane Lightning | 26 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 156 | 136 | +20 | 30 | |
| 4 | Adelaide Adrenaline | 26 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 90 | 162 | −72 | 13 | |
| 5 | Central Coast Rhinos | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 75 | 245 | −170 | 5 |
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.[43]
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 | Jordan McTaggart |
F | Ref |
| 2 | Michael Schlamp |
F | Ref |
| 3 | Charlie Smart |
G | Ref |
| 4 | Alexandre Tetreault |
G | Ref |
| 5 | Strat Allen |
F | Ref |
| 6 | Thomas Steven |
F | Ref |
| 7 | Vadim Virjassov |
F | Ref |
| 8 | Casey Kubara |
F | Ref |
| 9 | Robert Malloy |
D | Ref |
| 10 | Chris Schutz |
F | Ref |
| 11 | Sebastian Woodlands |
G | Ref |
| 12 | Wehebe Darge |
F | Ref |
| 13 | Thomas Flack |
F | Ref |
| 14 | Riley Klugerman |
F | Ref |
| 15 | Jordan Kyros |
F | Ref |
| 16 | Benjamin Breault |
F | Ref |
Season awards[]
Below lists the 2023 AIHL regular season award winners.[44]
| Award | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| MVP | Scott Timmins |
Melbourne Mustangs |
| Goaltender | Andrew Masters |
Central Coast Rhinos |
| Defenceman | Ty Wishart |
Melbourne Mustangs |
| Local | Not awarded | |
| Rookie | Riley Klugerman |
Newcastle Northstars |
| Coach | Benjamin Breault |
Perth Thunder |
Goodall Cup playoffs[]
For season 2023, the AIHL adopted a new two weekend Finals format.[39] The new format involved two play-in finals games during the first weekend and then two semi-finals and grand final in the second weekend. The new format involved single elimination games, with the losing team eliminated and winning team advancing to the next round. Participating teams in the AIHL Finals increased from four to six for the first time in league history. Qualification for Finals involved the highest three ranking teams from each AIHL regular season conference (Hellyer and Rurak). The top ranked teams from each conference would automatically qualify for the semi-finals, with the second and third ranked teams entering Finals at the play-in stage with a conference cross-over. The winner of Finals would continue to be named AIHL Champions and lift the historic Goodall Cup, just as it has been in previous seasons.[45]
Melbourne's O'Brien Icehouse and Newcastle's Hunter Ice Skating Stadium were selected as host venues for the 2023 AIHL Finals. Newcastle hosting one of the play-in games and Melbourne hosting the other play-in as well as the second weekend. Following the conclusion of the 2023 AIHL regular season, the CBR Brave and Sydney Bears finished top of their respective conferences to directly qualify for the semi-finals in Melbourne in week two. The Melbourne Mustangs, Newcastle Northstars, Perth Thunder and Brisbane Lightning qualified for the play-ins in week one. The Northstars would play the Thunder in Newcastle and the Mustangs would play the Lightning in Melbourne.[45] In week one, the Mustangs and Thunder won their respective play-in finals to advance to the semi-finals in week two. In week two, on Saturday, the Mustangs shutout the Bears in semi-final one to cause an upset, the Brave then eventually defeated the Thunder in semi-final two, after a lengthy player injury delay in the second period. On Sunday, the Brave faced-off with the hometown team the Mustangs in the grand final for the Goodall Cup. In a tightly contested game, the Mustangs prevailed and won 1–0, their second Finals shutout in a row. It was the Mustangs second ever Championship title and their first in nine years, since 2014 when they last won.[46] The Brave missed out on going back-to-back. Following the grand final, Melbourne Mustangs' Canadian gaoltender, Liam Hughes, was named Finals MVP for his heroic two shutouts.[47]
| Play-ins | Semi-finals | Grand final | |||||||||||
| 26 August – Melbourne | |||||||||||||
| 20 August – Melbourne | 1 | Sydney Bears | 0 | ||||||||||
| 3 | Melbourne Mustangs | 8 | Melbourne Mustangs | 4 | 27 August – Melbourne | ||||||||
| 6 | Brisbane Lightning | 3 | Melbourne Mustangs | 1 | |||||||||
| 26 August – Melbourne | CBR Brave | 0 | |||||||||||
| 19 August – Newcastle | 2 | CBR Brave | 4 | ||||||||||
| 4 | Newcastle Northstars | 1 | Perth Thunder | 1 | |||||||||
| 5 | Perth Thunder | 4 | |||||||||||
All times are UTC+10:00
Play-in finals[]
| 19 August 2023 17:00 |
Newcastle Northstars | 1–4 (0–1, 1–0, 0–3) |
Perth Thunder | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Smart
|
Goalies | Kristian Stead
|
Referees: Kent Unwin Mark Peruzzo | |
| (Klugerman, Darge) Adkins | 0 – 1 1 – 1 1 – 2 1 – 3 1 – 4 |
Breault (Jean, Langille) Kudla (Kyros) Jean (Unassisted) Webster (Unassisted) | ||
| 8 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||
| 47 | Shots | 39 | ||
| 20 August 2023 14:00 |
Melbourne Mustangs | 8–3 (3–1, 2–2, 3–0) |
Brisbane Lightning | O’Brien Icehouse |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Hughes
|
Goalies | Steve Harris
|
Referees: Rob Love David Gal | |
| (Lawrence) Wishart (Cutter) Humphries (Humphries, Hughes) Turner (Wishart) Virjassov (Lawrence) Wishart (Virjassov, Wishart) Apps (McDowell) Timmins (Khroustalev, Jones) Humphries |
0 – 1 1 – 1 2 – 1 3 – 1 3 – 2 4 – 2 4 – 3 5 – 3 6 – 3 7 – 3 8 – 3 |
Fodor (McTaggart, Fuschini) Anderson (Roth) Kulczycki (Roth, Harris) | ||
| 10 min | Penalties | 20 min | ||
| 33 | Shots | 27 | ||
Semi-finals[]
| 26 August 2023 14:00 |
Sydney Bears | 0–4 (0–0, 0–1, 0–3) |
Melbourne Mustangs | O’Brien Icehouse |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Kimlin
|
Goalies | Liam Hughes
|
Referees: David Gal Kent Unwin | |
| 0 – 1 0 – 2 0 – 3 0 – 4 |
Timmins (Wishart, McDowell) Virjassov (Wishart) Virjassov (Unassisted) Lawrence (Timmins) | |||
| 4 min | Penalties | 10 min | ||
| 41 | Shots | 39 | ||
| 26 August 2023 18:30 |
CBR Brave | 4–1 (2–1, 0–0, 2–0) |
Perth Thunder | O’Brien Icehouse |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksi Toivonen
|
Goalies | Kristian Stead
|
Referees: Rob Love Mark Peruzzo | |
| (Plouffe) Albrecht (Camenzind) T Kubara (Hughes, Harvey) B Kubara (Albrecht, Vance) Plouffe |
1 – 0 2 – 0 2 – 1 3 – 1 4 – 1 |
Breault (Jean) | ||
| 6 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||
| 50 | Shots | 39 | ||
Final[]
| 27 August 2023 14:00 |
Melbourne Mustangs | 1–0 (0–0, 1–0, 0–0) |
CBR Brave | O’Brien Icehouse |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Hughes
|
Goalies | Aleksi Toivonen
|
Referees: Kent Unwin David Gal | |
| (Lawrence, Timmins) McDowell | 1 – 0 | |||
| 2 min | Penalties | 2 min | ||
| 22 | Shots | 33 | ||
References[]
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External links[]
 Australian Ice Hockey League | |
|---|---|
| Teams | Adelaide Adrenaline · CBR Brave · Melbourne Ice · Melbourne Mustangs · Newcastle North Stars · Perth Thunder · Sydney Bears · Sydney Ice Dogs |
| Former teams | Adelaide Avalanche · Canberra Knights · Central Coast Rhinos · Gold Coast Blue Tongues |
| Other | Goodall Cup · V.I.P. Cup · Wilson Cup · List of AIHL seasons · Pacific Hockey League (Australia) |
| Seasons | 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 |
| Current arenas | Hunter Ice Skating Stadium - Adelaide IceArenA - O'Brien Icehouse - Macquarie Ice Rink - Perth Ice Arena - Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
| Related articles: IIHF · Ice Hockey Australia · Australia national ice hockey team · East Coast Super League | |
| 2022–23 in men's ice hockey | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | World Championships (Championship - Rosters - Group A - Group B - Playoff round - Final) Division I - Division II - Division III - Division IV Under-20 (Division I -Division II -Division III) Under-18 (Division I - Division II - Division III) | ||||||
| Leagues |
| ||||||
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