After a lot of hard work and many months spent planning, Skaters Network has finally arrived in Sydney. This new and exciting store and concept has been designed to change the way the Australian skating community buy their equipment.

Skaters’ Network Retail Store has been developed to improve pricing, availability, accessibility and expertise when purchasing skates, skating equipment and related products within Australia. Skaters’ Network offers the best and largest range of skating equipment ever seen in Australia with skaters and hockey nuts attending to your every enquiry.

Whether you are an Ice or In-line hockey player, Figure skater or just love getting out for a skate, Skaters Network has been created to satisfy your every need.

We will be offering full service in store including professional fitting, skate sharpening, oven moulding and repairs. Come in this weekend and speak to one of our friendly experienced staff members.

located at 14 Constitution Road, Ryde, NSW.

Our Store hours are:

Monday: 10-6
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-8
Friday: 10-6
Saturday: 9-5
Sunday: CLOSED

Contact Details:
Ph: 02 9808-4382
E-mail: contact@skatersnetwork.com.au

Ice Dogs supporters meet Derek Campbell; the Ice Dog’s highest profile import signing to date. 

With at least 10 years Pro experience amongst the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League and the Elite League in the UK Derek Campbell will be a force in the Australian Ice Hockey League and certainly worth watching.

“Derek being one of the highest point scorers in the English Elite league as well as being what leagues call an enforcer, he will not only fill the net and set-up his team mates at the Dogs but he will bring a toughness that the Dogs have lacked in the last couple of seasons” explains captain Anthony Wilson.

Campbell can be considered a rare all-round hockey player that will add firepower upfront given the points he has put up in the Elite league, East Coast Pro, Canadian Major Junior and University hockey. On top of that he is certainly not afraid to drop the gloves if need be. 

The Nepean, Ontario native from Canada won’t be alone as the Ice Dogs have stocked up on import talent this season. 

“We are proud to add an import of Derek’s calibre to the line up” says coach Mark Stephenson.  “I think he will fit right in with our team, and his experience will be of great benefit to our pursuit for a national title this season”.

The addition is not only a big plus for the Dogs but also for the local hockey community who will be able to see a high profile import on a consistent basis which is very important to the growth of the sport and gives the kids another idol they can follow.

Ice Dogs supporters and hockey goers can get their first glimpse of Derek at the home opening weekend starting May 15th and 16th when the Ice Dogs face the Penrith Bears and Melbourne Ice.

Left to Right: Ice Dogs players Todd Stephenson, Tomas Manco, Scott Stephenson, Chris Sekura and Anthony Wilson

The Australian Mens Team have returned home from Mexico City with the Silver Medal after defeating Turkey 10-1 and Belgium 5-2 in their final two games.  Todd Stephenson managed a hat trick in the crucial game against Belgium with all three goals assisted by linemate and brother Scott Stephenson.

The final game against Belguim was a true reflection of how the Australian Mens Team can play as they raced off to an early lead courtesy of Todd Stephenson and Chris Sekura from the Dogs and led the first period 3-1.  Belguim fought back hard in the second however the aussies managed to increase the lead to 5-1.  Belgium narrowed the scoreline with a late goal in the third. 

“It would have been great to face Spain again after that game” said forward Scott Stephenson.  The Ice Dogs practically matched the scorelines Spain had against the same teams.

Anthony Wilson pictured with Mexico's mascot as he shows his best defence of the tournament medal

Anthony Wilson will be entering the AIHL season on a high as he was named the tournaments best defenceman. 

All up it was a great result for the Ice Dogs who have 5 players returning from International play and will be back with the team and fresh imports for training this week in preparation for the first game against the Melbourne Ice.

The Australian Mens team have bounced back from a 6-0 loss to Spain by beating Bulgaria 11-4 and Mexico 5-2.

Despite Spain’s control of the game from the drop of the puck it didn’t help when Australia found themselves in the penalty box, which Spain capitalised on early.  Australia did gain some momemtum and started to take control in the second period until a goal was disqualified for the Aussies which proved to be the turning point.  Spain ran away with the game in the third making Australia’s hopes for gold very difficult.

Against Bulgaria Ice Dogs Todd Stephenson and Anthony Wilson both had a goal each with Adelaide Adrenaline’s Wehebe Darge  posting a hat trick in the 11-4 win.

Last night in front of a home crowd of 2,000 the mens team found themself taking on an energised Mexico line up.  It was an Adrenaline fest with four out of the five goals coming from Adelaide players.  Goaltender Matt Ezzy was superb in between the pipes helping his team weather a few intense penalty kills.  Melbourne Ice’s Lliam Webster scored to make it 4-2  which proved to be critical in the win to allow Australia to escape 5-2. 

Belgium’s 6-1 loss to Spain now means the Gold Medal is further out of reach for the Aussies who are now fighting for at least a Silver Medal with Turkey and Belgium left to play.

We want to know what you want to know

Now that 2009′s player profiles (2 minutes in the box) have come to an end, we can’t help but ask you what do you want to ask the Ice Dogs in their next player profiles in 2010.

See, there are only so many quirky questions we can come up with to ask some of the same players like what was your favourite cartoon.  We have long since passed the “what famous person would you like to meet” question which has been asked a number of times over the years with same “Jessica Alba” response.

So to make next seasons 2 minutes in the box a bit more fun and entertaining comment below on some questions you would like the players to answer in their player profiles next year.  That way the questions are fresh, not too quirky and you can find out what you want to know about the players.

I don’t know why we didn’t think to ask you sooner but better late than never I guess. Please note that not all suggestions will necessarily be asked in the player profile.

Great Saves with Al Becken

Thursday night Ice Dogs Clinics are off for 3 weeks as Alan Becken holds his highly respected Great Saves Goalie School at the LCC Sports Complex with the first school to commence April 6th.  Alan Becken, 10 time Australian representative goaltender and head instructor of Great Saves Australia since 1996 will help you achieve your personal best through improving your technical and mental skills.  Al and his team will show you save selections, reading the play, angles, current internal styles of Goaltending including situational analysis through specialised “on-ice and “off-ice training. 

 In Al’s assistance will be Dogs netminder Jimmy Herbert and with Ice Dogs players as Shooters for the on ice component.  Over April, two schools will be held and run on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

“Intensity, organisation, video analysis, great interpretation of goaltending skills and explanations.  I am confident in saying that this would have been my greatest hockey experience in my years in Senior Hockey, and something I can build my game up on.”  Roland Weber (National Senior Team – New Zealand Ice Hockey)

 Goalie School 1: Tuesday, 6  April – Tuesday 13 April 2010

 Tuesday 6^th April
 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session
Thursday 8^th April
7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Chalk Talk
Tuesday 13^th April
 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session

Cost = $250

Goalie School 2: Thursday, 15  April – Thursday 22 April 2010

 Thursday 15^th April
7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Equipment presentation
Tuesday 20th April
7.00pm-7.30pm: Lecture
 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session
Thursday 22^nd April
7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Eye/Hand Foot Coordination Training

Cost =$250

If you are an interested goaltender please email info@icedogs.com.au

The season hasn’t even started and the Ice Dogs have a big win under their belt with the signing of a new major naming rights partner BANQ Accountants.

“We are very excited to have our first ever naming rights partner in Ice Dogs history” says Captain Anthony Wilson.  “The support of BANQ off the ice allows us every opportunity to succeed on the ice this season and further professionalise the club and the league”.

BANQ Accountants specialise in strategic business management, financial advice, legal and more.   Mr Gino Cassaniti of BANQ grew up in Liverpool and enjoys the physical contest of Ice Hockey and would like to see the sport grow further in the Liverpool Community.  ”I think it is great to see a national league ice hockey team in Liverpool, especially the Ice Dogs who are doing a lot of hard work to grow the sport and we want to be apart of that” said Mr Cassaniti.

Now that BANQ are on board as major sponsors they expect nothing less than a championship from the Ice Dogs.  “We are excited to get out to the games and want a repeat of 2004 now that our name is on the line” jokes Gino Cassaniti from BANQ Accountants.

“BANQ Ice Dogs…has a nice ring to it I reckon” finishes Wilson.