The Ice Dogs have had a positive response as they aim to reach 50 season members for 2012 following a breakout 2011 season on the ice. After reaching the semi-finals last year, there are plenty of things for fans to be excited about as the team aim to go a couple of steps further in 2012.

“The membership drives have been quite successful so far.  We’ve had two membership drives and are up to 26 members with 22 full season members,” Ice Dogs president Shane Rose said. “There may be another membership drive at the trial games to be scheduled before the season starts.”

In other news, the Ice Dogs are about to embark on a tryout period on Tuesday the 6^th, 13^th and 20^th of March from 8:30pm at the LCC Sports Centre for any players wanting to be considered for the team. Once those sessions have been completed, the Sydney Ice Dogs team will be officially announced and will be put through their paces on Saturday the 7^th, 14^th and 21^st of April against currently unknown opponents. Rose said they Ice Dogs would ask all teams in the league to come and warm up for the season, although he doesn’t expect too many takers on his offer.

“We are most likely going to try and get the Bears and we are going to send out some invitations to some other teams such as Newcastle and Canberra to see if they would like to come and do some trial games with us,” Rose explained.

“We are going to send it to all teams but I don’t think some of the teams are going to come from Melbourne or Perth to come and play us in a trial but who knows, there might be a team that is quite happy to travel out and play us. I doubt it because it is an expense but we’ll put it out there and see what happens.”

However, when the trial games go ahead, the team will be missing Australian representatives in Scott and Todd Stephenson, Andrew White and Tomas Manco who will be in Poland leading the Mighty Roos charge in the IIHL’s Division I World Championships.

By Andrew McMurtry

Ice Dogs on the prowl for Members

Attention Ice Dog’s Fans: the 2012 membership drive is set to take place on Saturday the 14^th of January at the LCC Sports Complex between 3pm and 6pm.

After a massive 2011 for the league, and the club after making the finals, the Ice Dogs are set for another massive season, with some people in the ice hockey fraternity already calling the team favourites to take out the North-East conference.

To be part of every moment of the action, there are several membership options, including Season Membership, General Membership or paying at the gate.

Season Memberships are $200 for adults and $80 for kids aged 6 to 13 and it includes:

• Express entry to all home games ($234 to pay to get into each individual game)
• Reserved Coach travel seating for the two Newcastle and Canberra trips ($175 worth of value – subject to draw confirmation – does not include entry)
• 10% discount on all Ice Dogs Merchandise
• Reserved members seating (Limited to first 15 seats prior to game day with seat location at the discrepancy of the management)

General Memberships are $20 for all ages and include:

• Discounted entry ($15 adults, $6 Kids under 13-6yrs) to every Ice Dogs home game
• 10% Discount on all Ice Dogs Merchandise
• Discounted coach travel = $20 adults, $10 Kids (subject to availability)

For non-members, the price will be raised to $18 for adults and $8 for kids. As per usual, kids under 6 have free entry. As last year, the coach price will be $35 per person.

For the first time, Members will get a photo ID card and will need to attend, however, if you can’t make it on the day, membership will be available on game days

CALLING ALL FANS/SUPPORTERS
 
Ice Dogs Management have continued to work hard behind the scenes during the off season in preparation for the upcoming 2012 season and beyond, which has resulted in some changes within the club structure and future planning.
 
Management invite all Fans/Supporters and friends to an Open Meeting to be held in a function room at The LCC Complex on Saturday  10th  December  commencing at 5pm. We are calling on all our loyal fans and their friends to attend for a night of information about the direction of the Sydney Ice Dogs for 2012 and beyond.
 
During the evening, you will be introduced to the new Management structure and informed of future planing. Also and most importantly we will be seeking volunteers and/or nominees to come forward and fill the newly created roles that require the assistance of our loyal fans to help make the upcoming and future season successful. Each individual role descriptions will be explained in detail on the night. In addition, on the night you will have the opportunity to register for the 2012 memberships. We have done away with the Gold/Silver system and created 2 different options. Again, these will be explained on the night.
 
There are exciting times and some surprises ahead that Management would like to share those with you all. So we hope to see you there so we can kick off the new season on the right foot.

After his stint with the Australian Mens Team Chris Sekura has decided to return the Cityview Ice Dogs in 2011.  The power forward adds further depth and experience to the line-up and after playing on the Mens top line with Greg Oddy and Lliam Webster at Worlds he has proved he has still got the fire to make an impact this 2011 season.

Since 2004 (available stats) Sekura has notched 95 points (38 goals, 57 assists) in 106 games and the Dogs will hope Sekura finds his 2008 form where he scored 26 points in 20 games.

“The team is looking good at practice…imports fit in well with a few old faces, younger guys have been stepping up in recent years so I think we have the toughness and strength to take it all the way” says Sekura.  “I just wanna contribute and do my job for the team and take it from there”.

Check out the full ice Dogs roster in the Team section of www.icedogs.com.au

You can catch Sekura and the Ice Dogs at their first home game May 1st as they take on the Melbourne Ice at the LCC Sports Complex 5pm.  Memberships on sale at the game (and the first few games) and can be paid for via credit card, eftpos or cash.  Get a Silver Membership for $165 meaning three home games are free, plus 10% merch discount and skipping the queue.

Off-season’s’ can be frustrating at times as you experience your hockey withdrawals but there is no better time for hope and speculation – 2 facets of sport that make it so special.  So this year we bring to you Point Predictions.  Basically we will predict how many points each Ice Dog will get based on their past AIHL numbers, trends and forecasts. 

 So let’s start this article with an easy one – Matt Monaghan aka Mr Consistency.  39 points in 40 AIHL career games so far, has his career points per game average (P/G) at 0.98.  Monaghan misses a few games each season due to overseas commitments in July so we will predict he winds up with 25 points in 24 games.  How many of those points will end up as goals is a tougher prediction.  Monaghan practically doubled his goals from 2009 (8 to 15) so expect this to continue.  Rather than pin him at a conservative point per game or just under, we will follow his trend of getting an extra point on his previous season’s totals.

 Expect Scottie Herbert to get more ice time this season after his solid effort in 2010.  Herbert’s career stats aren’t telling of his ability.  What is telling is, in his rookie years with minimal ice time he recorded minimal points which is to be expected.  In 2008, he recorded 14 points in 25 games, but his role and ice time was reduced in 2009 bringing his totals down to 9 points.  In 2010 he received more ice time again, playing on an Aussie line with the Stephenson brothers where he got back up to 14 points.  So the formula with the small man with the big legs is simple: more ice time = more points.  Herbert is capable of breaking the 20 point barrier and in a year or two becoming a point per game player.  Seeing as though there are 28 games to play we will put Herbert up for 20 points with a 5 goals 15 assists slant.  Even though he has recorded 4 goals each of the last three seasons, the #7 has great vision on the ice and is a play maker.  He could also be very useful on the powerplay and if given the opportunity will definitely help his production as well.

The Energiser Boxer Bunny Billy Cliff got his opportunity for regular ice time late last season and boy did he make use of it.  Even though he recorded 9 points, these came late in the season.  Billy is an 18 year old this season and like Todd Stephenson he entered the league as a 15 year old.  For this points prediction we are going to give Billy the same output as Todd aged 18 with 18 points for the season.  Albeit Todd’s points were in 26 games and this season is a 28 game schedule.  Cliff may miss a match up or two due to suspension from the World Junior Championships so it could be a 26 game spell after all.

Stay tuned for more Point Predictions next week.

Brook Robson at the Hawks

This year the Ice Dogs have approached import selection differently.  Looking for players who will fit into the Ice Dogs tough style of ice hockey and who are willing to compete.  Now by ‘tough’ we do not mean starting fights and causing trouble before the critics get too carried away.  It goes beyond the resume.  In 2004, the Ice Dogs won a championship with a tough and deep Australian core and a bunch of misfit imports who you might have overlooked judging them by their resumes, but on the ice they were unstoppable. 

The Ice Dogs would like to announce their second import signing for 2011 as forward Brook Robson.  The new approach to imports doesn’t mean Brook Robson is leading a motley crue of imports this year as his 3 championship victories in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League for the Charleswood Hawks suggest otherwise – as well as notching 200 points in 168 games in his MMJHL career. 

But the Manitoba native does have a different resume to what we have seen in the past.  For instance, Brook competed in the RedBull Crashed Ice event in 2006 where he took on 130 competitors in the agility tryouts making it to the final event in Quebec where he placed 46th out of 128 top skaters from around the world.   The course they race on in the Crashed Ice event is similar to a wide bobsled track where they race against a few other skaters in a heat and against the clock.  Lots of spills at speeds of 60km/h down the hill.  He competed again in the Red Bull Crashed Ice in 2008.  Click the following link to check out the Red Bull Crashed Ice event:www.youtube.com/watch?v=4os2ufb5EuE

Brook’s assets are a heavy shot, a decent 6’1″ sized frame to throw around and his tenacity on the ice.  You may see a resemblence to 2009 Import Jassi Sangha who led the team in points.  “Brook is really strong down the middle; he has a great stride and a heavy shot and fits in with the system we want to adopt this season” says coach Ron Kaprowsky. His work ethic however has been the most impressive and is what the Dogs need from their imports in 2011.

Some Ice Dogs supporters had the chance to see Brook in action against the Canberra Knights in the last exhibition game where Brook scored a goal and was dominant at the faceoff circle. Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks as we announce the next import signings and more.

Brenton Tripp vs Canberra

2010 rookies Brenton Tripp and Spencer Austin have been assigned to playing East Coast Super League full time in 2011.  The club has taken a new direction in developing prospects as the competitiveness of East Coast Super League has increased with 6 strong clubs featuring some good older players (ex-AIHL) and the top up and coming  players coming out of Midget level.  “There have always been some good hockey players at the East Coast level but now the league has great depth and the standard is definitely higher across the board” says ex Ice Dogs/Rhinos player and current Penrith Raptor Peter White.

In the past the Ice Dogs had a few young players that would be committed full time to the team with their midget or ESCL club as second priority however they weren’t getting the ice time they needed to grow.  The second aspect that was stunting their growth was that they stopped working hard to improve, which could be because they had made the highest level in the country so what else is there to acheive?    

But the most interesting part of this move is the pair of Penrith natives came up with the idea to focus on playing East Coast Super League and develop their game.  “It is great to see they have taken the initiative here and it is also timely as the club aims to put in place a development program this season” says trainer Mark Page.

The team now has a few players in Tripp and Austin who can be called up amongst other ESCL and Midget players all competing for the chance to play in the AIHL.  The competition for these spots will improve the players in the system as they will work harder for the privilege and also not take the opportunities for granted. 

The system couldn’t be implemented in the past as the ESCL was still developing and the commitment required by AIHL teams were different in many ways.  But as time has gone on the optimum development process can be put in place and now improved over time. 

Conversely the Ice Dogs have still developed many young players such as Billy Cliff and Shannon McGregor of recent.  This year the Dogs will aim to keep you up to date on their prospects as well as just the team.  2011 again is going to be an exciting season.

Sangha playing for TRU

Welcome to the third edition of ‘Where are they now’ where we take a look at where ex-Ice Dog’s Imports have ended up.

Two memorable forwards from the past two seasons have gone on to continue their hockey careers back in familiar territory.  Ice Dogs highest point scorer from 2009, Jassi Sangha continued his scoring ways in his hometown of Kamloops playing for the’TRU Wolfpack’ University Team (Thompson Rivers University).

In the 2009/2010 season Sangha notched 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 23 games and this season he is on track to reach the same totals with 21 points in 10 games.  In usual fashion the Kamloops native finds himself in the top 10 point scorers as he currently  sits in third place.   TRU is currently sitting in third place in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League.  In 2009/2010, Sangha was playing alongside another ex-ice dog Kevin Sparling.

Whilst in Australia he wasted no time lighting up the back of the net with 37 points (17 goals and 20 assists).  His style of play was pretty to watch and he was not afraid to throw his body around and drop the gloves on occasion.

Another forward who left a lasting impression was 2010 import Derek Campbell.  He is back playing in the British Elite League, but this time he is protecting the Sheffield Steelers instead of the Conventry Blaze.  After sorting out his visa troubles he has posted 23 points (6 goals, 17 assists) in 28 games and has had his fair share of fisticuffs.

It is great to see both players continuing on their hockey careers and we wish them the best.  We might also track back on them in a few years to see where they end up.

Ice Dogs Team behind the team photo

 An 8-2 win was sure to bring smiles to many faces, but so did the fact the players and supporters had to say cheese for the camera.  In what will surely be an annual event the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs posed for their team photo with their loyal supporters in the background to place emphasis on “whole” team which is turning into a community. 

The Photo took place after the Ice Dogs defeated the Penrith Bears 8-2 at their home venue the LCC Sports Complex in Liverpool.  “Being the first time we have done this it was a great success” says Mitch Collins, Ice Dogs Game Day Promotions Manager.  “We want to do it again next year and give a heads up further in advance so we can make it even bigger”  

We Want YOU

  When we think of our team we think of our supporters…we are one big team!  Also we look out to the crowd this season and we are seeing a sea of Ice Dogs Jerseys and hoodies and love it. 

 The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs are getting their team photo this weekend on the ice after Saturday night’s clash.  But we are doing things differently this year.  We want our supporters in the photo with us as we are one big team! 

 We are looking to do the photo after the game up against the boards at centre ice in front of the grandstand and want our supporters behind us in the stands and to the sides along the boards.  We will also allow around 10 minutes the big team photo for supporters to take photo’s with some of the players.

 So make sure you bring your Ice Dogs Jersey’s with you and a big cheery smile as we make change things up a bit and make AIHL history.  You can bring your camera’s for the individual player shots (but not the team shot as we don’t want people on the ice in case they slip over) and we will post any pics we take of you with the players on our facebook fan page at:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Sydney-Ice-Dogs-Page/106016799449217.  All you have to do is click like at the top of the facebook fan page and you can access the pics at the photos tab.

The Breakdown: Import Matt Monaghan hails from Chicago in the U.S and is in his second year playing for the Ice Dogs.  Last year he put up 19 points in 20 games and is off to a great start this season with 3 points in 4 games.  Matt is the type of player that has one gear and empty’s the tank every shift.  He is also a “clutch” player which means he will find a goal when needed in the big games.  Keep an eye out for number 17 this season.

Nickname at the Dogs: Monna’s or Matty

Number: 17

Best place to play in the AIHL when not playing at home at the LCC Sports Complex? I like playing in Adelaide, good crowd and I seem to play well there.

What type of music are you into? alternative rock

How many times do you get to the gym a week? 3

Who was your hockey idol growing up? Jeremy Roenick from the Chicago Blackhawks

What would be your dream job? Pro golfer

Most memorable sledge you have heard or given (keep it PG)?  I am not much of a trash talker and there have been so many given over time I couldn’t narrow one down for you.  Or one that was PG at least.

Whats your favourite movie? Bad Boys 2

What do you like best about playing for the Ice Dogs? My team mates

Top 10 countdown for the Home Opener

Top Tens are always fun, but here are ten reasons why you should be excited about the 2010 Home Opener and also why you should come.  I hope you have cancelled all dinner parties, packed your jumpers, been sucking on throat lozengers, prepared your sledging and are ready to go!

10. This summer was a scorcher so it is time to cool off.

9. It’s the battle of Sydney against the Penrith Bears.  This rivalry is historic dating back to before the AIHL Days.

8. The Ice Dogs now have a goal song. Sssshhh it’s a surprise and you will have to come to the game to hear it as it is a unique goal song that has never been used before.  The goal song is played after each Ice Dogs goal.

7. The NHL season is nearing an end, so it’s time to follow your southern hemisphere team again!

6. The AIHL is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary making this a milestone occassion.

5. You haven’t screamed your lungs out or seen a human travel at intense speeds for over 6 months

4. The Ice Dogs Home Opener Jersey sale.  Click through for more details about our Australian ice hockey jerseys.

3.  New powerhouse import additions of Andrew DeChristeforo and Chad Elliot

2.  Witness the Ice Dogs highest profile import in club history Derek Campbell in action.

1. The 2010 season is finally here…You have waited long enough haven’t you.

Home Opener Jersey Clearance Sale May15-16 at the BANQ Ice Dogs game

This weekend ONLY at either of the Home Opening  games (Saturday May15th 2010 and Sunday May 16th 2010), you can buy pre-worn home and away player jersey’s for as low as $15 each for the old 2004 championship style set.  The 2007/2008 edition are going for $30  reduced from $65.  

“We have a fair few jerseys to get rid of, so that we can start building up our merchandise variety this year due to increasing demand from our supporters” says BANQ Ice Dog’s player Scott Stephenson.  “We also want to look out to the crowd when we play and see a sea of Ice Dogs Jersey’s”.

The Jersey Clearance Sale is only on this weekend and you have to be at the game to buy them at these prices.  The only other catch is it is first in best dressed.

NEW MERCHANDISE

The new "Property of" T-shirt line. Only grey colour currently in stock

The BANQ Ice Dogs are also proud to announce the new “Property of Ice Dogs” line of Merchandise available in Grey T-shirts and Hoodies.  

Make sure you sign up to the POUND – The BANQ Ice Dogs emailing list where you receive friendly home game reminders and can go in the running for exclusive POUND member prizes.  Becoming a member of our Australian ice hockey newsletter is free to join and you can unsubscribe at any time. 

Get out your diaries and your red marker because the 2010 AIHL schedule is finally here.  The Great news is that the Ice Dogs will be playing 12 home games this year as opposed to the 11 like last year which means more hockey for everyone!

Out of these 12 games, 9 of them are Saturday night games so for the hockey players and sporting folk who normally can’t make it to a Sunday night game can now get to more Ice Dogs action this year. 

The Dogs start out the season with their first game away in Melbourne May 1st at the new Docklands Ice Arena.  This will be a memorable event as the Ice Dogs will be a part of the first ever AIHL game at this venue. 

After another weekend on the road in May the Ice Dogs will then have their first 2 home games in Liverpool in a Double Home Opener Weekend as we face the Penrith Bears on Saturday May 15th followed by the Melbourne Ice on the Sunday May 16th.

Ice Dogs Memberships should  be on sale by March, which will come with access to all 12 home games at a saving, reserved seating and more.  In 2010, the Ice Dogs are working furiously to bring you a better supporter experience online, at the games and a better on ice product.  We hope you are as excited as we are.

To see the Ice Dogs full home and away schedule go to http://www.icedogs.com.au/schedule.html.  Or just click on the Schedule menu option on the site.

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