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.

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.

Brett Thomas at faceoff in 2008 against Vlad Rubes (present NST coach)

In typical ‘Thomo’ (Brett Thomas) fashion you couldn’t tell he had been away from the game for over two years, when he started skating at National Mens Team tryouts late last year.  His fitness was never going to be a concern as the Manly native often trains with ‘Biggest Loser’ celebrity and friend Shannon Bourke.  The Biggest question was ’will he come back and play for the Ice Dogs’?

“Having some time away from the game and then getting the National Team call up, has really brought back my drive” says Thomas.  “I haven’t been this excited in a long time and can’t wait for the boys to be flying after the World Championships and into the AIHL season”.

Having Thomas back in the line up will strengthen the forward corps and depth charts of the team, add alot more grit and some leadership.  Over his playing career he [Thomas] has played a variety of roles from complimenting imports and scoring, to leading lines of younger forwards and playing a checking role.   The coaching staff don’t expect him to put up  the big number’s of the early 2000′s right away but his impact will be visible right away from the drop of the puck.  “The club has changed alot since his last season in 2008 and alot of our new supporters haven’t seen him in action, but I dare say he will be a fan favourite once again pretty quick” says team mate Scott Stephenson.

“I also can’t wait to play out of Liverpool as the atmosphere and supporters at the game now are awesome, so I look forward to doing them all proud” finishes Brett Thomas.

Fun Fact: Brett Thomas set the highest points scoring record in peewee’s in NSW when he was a kid which was later broken by team mate and Ice Dogs Defenceman Andrew White.

Matt Monaghan to suit up again for the Ice Dogs in 2011

He may not be the prettiest player you have  ever seen but Matt Monaghan is definitely effective; especially when it comes to scoring goals when his team needs them.

Mr consistency is back for 2011 re-signing with the Sydney Ice Dogs as the team looks to fill out the remaining import spots.  The Chicago native  joined the team in 2009 and has 39 points in 40 AIHL career games.  Standing at 6’3″ his major asset is his shot and also cleaning up rebounds around the net.

“You can throw him on any line and he will still generate opportunities and make things happen” says coach Mark Stephenson.   “He also stepped up as a leader in 2010 which was also good to see and he is economic with his penalty minutes”.

But what about his increase in productivity from 15 goals last season jumping from 8 the year before?  “I guess I am starting to get used to the league, my teammates and I was in better shape” says Monaghan.  “I am aiming to be in the same shape for this upcoming season and I think we will do better this season as we had a fairly young team last year who have gained alot more experience”.

With a new import you are never sure how they will adjust to the league, team and city and therefore you don’t know what to expect regardless of resume.  The Ice Dogs team and supporters know exactly what Matt can bring to the table and probably why he is turning into a bit of a fan favourite.

Don’t forget to check back to the website weekly now as the news, stories, membership information and video’s pick up again as we lead into the 2011 season.

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.

TAB West Hoxton Backs the Dogs

As the long and tough 2010 AIHL season rapidly approaches West Hoxton TAB has joined forces with the Sydney Ice Dogs.

This mutually beneficial sponsorship will see West Hoxton TAB be able to access the rapidly growing Ice Hockey community who may or may not be aware that they can have a bet on the NHL with TAB Sportsbet. Whilst the Sydney Ice Dogs gain some monetary help with the rigours of the 2010 season.

“I wasn’t aware that you could place a bet on any NHL game through TAB sportsbet and I have been playing the game for over 15 years now. So I guess it is a very fitting partnership” says forward Scott Stephenson who visited West Hoxton TAB just the other week to seal the deal.

“The Ice Dogs do alot of work with the ice hockey community all year round so it is also nice to help them out with a sponsorship” explains TAB agent Peter Azzopardi (pictured to the right above).

For those adults out there who like to gamble responsibly and have a bit of fun by betting on the NHL be sure to stop in at the West Hoxton TAB and support the company that supports the Ice Dogs.

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!