Whilst other imports have returned to their homeland, Canadian Jamie Galbraith has decided to stay longer to experience the warmer version of Australia as we head into spring but more importantly to help coach the younger kids. “It has been a lot of fun at the clinics this year helping the kids out with their skills and getting to know them better” says Galbraith. “To then see them at our games and talk to them after the games and about the game at the clinics is really cool”.

Galbraith working with Christiarn

Every Thursday the Ice Dogs hold a skills clinic for kids Atom aged up to Bantam and Midget. Although the clinic costs $25, all funds raised from the clinic go to running the Ice Dogs and keeping it alive. The clinic this year has been an absolute success as the kids get to not only learn off the Ice Dogs players but the Ice Dogs and young Pups get to know each other better.

Scottie H teaching Matty how to shoot

“It basically aligns with what we are doing with the Westbus Pups club where Atoms and Peewees receive free passes to our games, along with the clinics it helps us achieve our mission statement which is to keep the younger kids in the sport and a pinnacle they can aspire to” explains Ice Dog Scott Stephenson.

The Ice Dogs players themselves don’t get any individual financial benefit from giving up their time to coach as all funds go to the team. “We have had some great feedback from the parents but I have also noticed a massive improvement in most of the players from when they first started the clinic at the beginning of the season” admits Galbraith.

The Dogs will be continuing to run the clinic over the off-season so that other clubs whose training clashes on a Thursday night can benefit from the clinic. In addition to giving back at the clinic, the Ice Dogs have made at least 50 appearances to minor hockey club trainings across Sydney over the past 2 seasons voluntarily despite their heavy AIHL training and game schedule.

Toddy with Conner Lee

“The ability of the Ice Dogs to interact with the young players at both their AIHL games & at these training sessions not only allows the young players to mix with their heroes but also shows them that there is a path to senior ice hockey if you are prepared to work hard” tells parent Peter Azzopardi. “An insight into the Ice Dogs dedication to their young players for me happened when the kids asked Todd Stephenson to come out to one of their games and sure enough he made it out to their 7:00am game when he could of been in bed happily sleeping”.

The Ice Dogs would like to wish all minor hockey clubs the best of luck as they head into finals in the coming weeks.