Ice Dogs Forward Scott Stephenson shaking hands with Westbus CEO Jim Glasson

The Ice Dogs would like to extend a big thank you to one of their 2009  major sponsor’s Westbus, for supporting the Sydney Ice Dogs and the Pups Club.

Every year Westbus  continuously give back to the community and in 2009 they decided to invest in the often neglected ice hockey community through the Ice Dogs and the Pups Club.   The Pups Club  is made up of registered ice hockey players in the Atoms (under 11) and Peewees (under 13) age grades around Sydney, who receive free passes to all Ice Dogs Home Games.

The purpose of the Pups Club aligns with the Ice Dogs mission statement which is “to retain the youth of the game, by providing a pinnacle they can aspire to”.  “The most important thing to come out of the AIHL and Ice Dogs at the end of the day is that kids come to the games with their families and stick to the sport, because they want to play at that level in the future” says Captain Anthony Wilson.   Wilson goes onto say “It is great to find a partner like Westbus who not only understands this, but shares the same vision”.

In 2010, the Ice Dogs are looking to take everything to the next level, including the Pups Club.  “We want to give more to the younger players who come to the Ice Dogs games” says forward Scott Stephenson. “We want to have the Atoms and Peewees playing games in our intermissions, receiving free posters and go that extra mile beyond letting them have first dibs on broken sticks (and even complete sticks sometimes).  It is just a matter of setting up the infrastructure over the off-season to grow the Pups Club”.

So thanks again to Westbus and if you live in the Western Sydney area and are looking for a public transport alternative please check out www.yourbus.com.au and help support the company that supports us!

Position: Forward

Age: 21

Height: 5’11

Weight: 88kg

When did you start playing hockey? 6 years old

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? When my family moved from Vancouver to Kamloops, hockey was the sport to play so my parents just signed me up.

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Duck Wing

First pair of hockey skates you owned? A really old pair of cooper skates

What do you do in your spare time? Back home I go to University, but now that I am in Australia I pretty much workout and play hockey.

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Bacon and egg Mcmuffin with cheese and a glass of milk, if that counts.

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Scoring my first AIHL goal

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Work hard at training because that is where you get better, and become a fan of the game and try to pick up little things from other players around you or on TV that can make you better and put those nuances in your game.

Favourite Music: Lady Gaga

Favourite Car: My grand am GT

Who was your first crush on? Posh Spice

Number 7: Learn from the Pros

With the NHL a week into action overseas and running over the course of an Aussie off season the timing couldn’t be any better whilst you prepare for next year.  Number 7  is watching the NHL this summer and watch not only becuase you enjoy watching ice hockey but because you can actually learn a lot.  Why? Cause they are the best ice hockey players in the world.  You could pick up a new move that you can start practising, even use it as a bit of motivation to work harder. 

“I tend to watch what the center’s are doing positionally all around the ice from defending in their own end and acting as a support for the defenceman to how they forecheck and apply pressure to the opposing team in their end” reveals center Scottie Herbet.  “Even how they approach face-offs”. 

Now there are a few ways an aussie can keep up to date with the NHL action.  Firstly, anyone can go onto www.nhl.com and watch highlights and even livestreamed games.  Secondly, if you have foxtel.  Fox sports plays at least two games a week.  Go to www.foxsports.com.au and check it out.  Thirdly, if you know a friend who has foxtel, get them to even tape a game for you.

This is probably the easiest and most enjoyable out of our 10 ways to improve your ice hockey this off-season.  Number 6 is sprints.  We will also detail a sprint program that you can use straight away.

Keep up the hard work this offseason.

Position: Forward

Age: 21

Height: 5’11

Weight: 75kg

When did you start playing hockey? 5 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? Grew up watching my Dad play and I sucked at cricket

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Transformers

First pair of hockey skates you owned? Micron Laser’s

What do you do in your spare time? Going to Macquarie University studying Chiropractic, gym and play in my band

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? My specialty dish would be burritos or satay chicken with rice.

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Winning the Goodall Cup in 2004 in my first AIHL season

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? You are never too good to keep learning.

Favourite Music: Whatever makes me feel like partying and having a good time.

Favourite Car: Monster Truck

Who was your first crush on? Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Position: Forward

Age: 16

Height: 5’11

Weight: 73kg

When did you start playing hockey? 8 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? I started playing inline hockey and then after 3 or 4 year started playing ice hockey

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? South park

First pair of hockey skates you owned? Nike v 12s

What do you do in your spare time? Boxing and hang out with mates

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Toasted cheese sandwich

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? My first aihl goal against Melbourne last year

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Train as hard as you can every time your on the ice

Favourite Music: anything good

Favourite Car: Bentley

Who was your first crush on? The chick from Buffy the vampire slayer