Australian Ice Hockey League

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) is Australia's top-level men's ice hockey league. Established in 2000, the AIHL is sanctioned by Ice Hockey Australia (a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation). The AIHL is a semi-professional league that is contested by ten franchised teams in two conferences spanning six Australian states and territories. AIHL premiers are awarded the H Newman Reid Trophy and AIHL champions are awarded the Goodall Cup, the world's third oldest ice hockey trophy, having been first awarded in 1909. The most successful team in AIHL history is the Newcastle Northstars, having claimed six championship titles. The current champions, from 2025, are the Melbourne Ice.

History

Foundation and first decade (2000–10)

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) was formed in 2000 following the collapse of the former national league. In its first season, the AIHL comprised three teams – the Adelaide Avalanche, Canberra Knights, and the Sydney Bears. During the first two seasons the teams competed in round-robin weekends over the length of the season, with the two top teams playing a single final. Adelaide Avalanche finished first in both years after the regular season, with the Sydney Bears winning the Goodall Cup in the 2001 playoffs.

Expansion and Finals introduction

In 2002 the AIHL expanded to six teams with the inclusion of the Melbourne Ice, Newcastle North Stars and the West Sydney Ice Dogs. The Sydney Bears finished first in the regular season standings and won the Goodall Cup playoffs. In 2006 the Brisbane Blue Tongues signed Canadian Rob Zamuner who had played nearly 800 games in the NHL. The North Stars went on to win their second consecutive Goodall Cup title, defeating Adelaide for the second year in a row. The Bears won the 2007 Goodall Cup, their first since 2002, after defeating the North Stars in the final. During the season the Adelaide Avalanche folded due to financial problems. Following the withdrawal of the Avalanche a new team was formed, the Adelaide Adrenaline. Newcastle North Stars went on to win the 2008 Goodall Cup, defeating West Sydney Ice Dogs in the final. 2009 also saw the Goodall Cup withdrawn from the AIHL by Ice Hockey Australia so it could return to being a state contested tournament. It was replaced by the H. Newman Reid Trophy which was won by the Adrenaline. The following season, 2010, Ice Hockey Australia returned the Goodall Cup to the AIHL with the H. Newman Reid Trophy being consigned to be the prize for the winner of the regular season. Melbourne Ice won their first Goodall Cup, defeating the Adrenaline in the final 6–4.

Second decade (2011–19)

In 2011, the league returned to an eight-team competition with the inclusion of the Melbourne-based Mustangs IHC. The AIHL also granted a ninth team, the Perth Thunder, a provisional licence to play exhibition games during the 2011 season, to seek a vote to join the league on a full licence in 2012. In August 2011, the AIHL and the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) jointly announced the formation of the Trans-Tasman Champions League. The Champions League would feature two teams from both leagues in a round-robin format. The tournament would commence in Australia in 2012 and hosting rights would alternate between Australia and New Zealand from that point forward.

Implementation of conference system

For season 2012, with the addition of a ninth team, the AIHL implemented a conference system for the first time in the league's history. The decision was made to manage team costs and the season schedule length. The conference restructure flowed into Finals format changes. The conference winners would draw the opposing conference's second-place finisher in the semi-finals, rather than the traditional 1v4 and 2v3. Winners of the semi's would advance to the Goodall Cup Final as normal. The NSW and ACT based teams were grouped together in the Bauer Conference and the VIC, SA, WA and QLD teams were grouped together in the Easton Conference during the 2012 regular season. Sydney Ice Dogs and Adelaide were runner's up, all qualifying for Finals. The two top teams won their semi-finals to advance to the grand final decider. Melbourne ice won the grand final 4–3, thanks to Lliam Webster who scored the winning goal, over the Northstars to claim the Goodall Cup for a third straight time, completing the first three-peat in AIHL history.

In July 2012, the inaugural Trans-Tasman Champions League took place at the Icehouse in Melbourne. AIHL teams, Melbourne Ice and Newcastle North Stars, were joined by NZIHL teams, Botany Swarm and Southern Stampede for the round-robin tournament. The Melbourne Ice finished first in the standings and claimed the maiden Champions League title and trophy, beating Newcastle to the title on goal difference.

Robert Bannerman era

Ahead of the 2013 season, In February 2013, the league appointed Robert Bannerman as the new AIHL Commissioner. Bannerman was charged with improving the AIHL's revenue growth, fan development and attendance. The AIHL signed its first broadcast deal with Australian-based pay-television service Fox Sports. The deal would see one game a week broadcast during the regular season on Foxtel's Fox Sports channels. The League also shrunk back to eight teams with the suspension announcement of Gold Coast Blue Tongues' AIHL licence to due the team's inability to secure a home venue agreement with a suitable rink. During the 2013 AIHL season, the Sydney Ice Dogs secured the Premiership-Championship double by finishing top of the regular season standings and winning the grand final. It was the first time the Ice Dogs had won either the H Newman Reid Trophy or Goodall Cup since 2004.

2014 saw the league experience further change. In February 2014, AIHL founding team, Canberra Knights, folded operations after 33 years with owner, John Raut, citing financial costs, lack of local player talent and sustained poor performances as the reasons for the decision. A Canberra player and community led consortium was established to keep an AIHL licence in Canberra following the Knight's collapse. After meeting AIHL licence demands in April, the consortium was successful in obtaining the Canberra licence and a new team was formed, named CBR Brave. Season 2014 produced a new Goodall Cup and Premiership winner, with the Melbourne Mustangs claiming their first league and Finals titles, defeating the Melbourne Ice in the grand final.

After the 2014 season, the AIHL made important decisions at their AGM in December 2014 to reject, for undisclosed reasons, the Central Coast Rhinos application to re-join the league and allow the Gold Coast Blue Tongues' licence to expire, after two years of suspension with the team unable to secure financing to build a proposed new rink or relocate to an appropriate alternative facility. Thus confirming the AIHL would kick off 2015 with the same eight teams from 2014.

Between 2015 and 2018, the league experienced game rule changes, exhibition matches in Queensland, the loss of the premier Sydney ice rink and team relocations. In 2015, the Sydney Ice Arena was approved for redevelopment into apartments by the owner, forcing the Sydney Bears to relocate to Penrith. The League adopted the international recognised hybrid icing rule to assist AIHL players in preparation for IIHF competition while continuing to protect players from the risks of potentially damaging collisions. In 2016, the Bears took two regular season games to Brisbane to showcase the league in Queensland for the first time since 2012. Games were held at both Iceworld Boondall and Iceworld Acacia Ridge against the Melbourne Ice. In 2017, following the completion of renovations, the Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs relocated from Penrith and Liverpool to Macquarie Ice Rink. In 2018, AIHL Commissioner, Rob Bannerman, stepped down after six years in the role. Bannerman would be relocating to the United States to pursue a career change.

David Turik era

In 2019, AIHL head of finance, Heidi Wilson, resigned from her role in the league commission. Dawn Watt was elected Deputy Commissioner and the AIHL canvassed for new members. David Turik was subsequently appointed the new AIHL Commissioner.

COVID-19 season cancellations (2020–21)

During 2020 and 2021, the league suspended operations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Different health measures and border restrictions domestically and internationally made it unviable to run seasons in 2020 and 2021. Originally in 2020 the league was suspended but it was later cancelled. In 2021, exhibition series were run instead of the league, but they were interrupted due to the ongoing outbreak. In 2021, AIHL Commissioner, David Turik, resigned from the role by “mutual agreement”, no reasons for his departure were disclosed.

Third decade (2022–present)

thumb

In 2022, the AIHL announced it would be returning to a regular season for the first time since 2019. The league released information of a new board of directors and executive team as well as the adoption of a new finals format and increase to game lengths. The AIHL would implement the international standard 60-minute games (up from 50 minutes) and expanded the finals weekend to include a preliminary final and an additional day in the schedule. The League also announced a new license holder for the Adelaide Adrenaline franchise, headed by Benny Gebert and Glen Foll. Preparations for the 2022 season were disrupted by the withdrawals of the Perth Thunder and Adelaide Adrenaline due to continued state border restrictions and disagreements with rink management respectively. However, in February 2022, the AIHL announced the expansion of the league would take place in 2023 and followed this up with the granting of licenses to the Brisbane Lightning, headed by Ice Hockey Queensland (IHQ), and the Central Coast Rhinos, who will be returning to the league for the first time in fourteen years after originally leaving at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

Due to extended renovation works at Macquarie Ice Rink, the two Sydney teams, the Bears and the Ice Dogs were forced to withdraw from the 2025 AIHL season. Both are returning for 2026 season.

Teams

Current teams

thumb|560px|right|Current active AIHL teams and locations as of 2024.

{| class="wikitable toccolours" style="width:112em"

|+ style="background:#000000; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#000000 5px solid;color:white"| Australian Ice Hockey League

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Team

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Colours

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|City

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|State

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Arena

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Capacity

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid; width: 60px"|Founded

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid; width: 60px"|Joined

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Former names

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Notes

| Adelaide Adrenaline || align=center| || Adelaide || align=center| || Adelaide Ice Arena || align=center|900 || colspan=2 align=center|2008 || Adelaide A's (2008) || Replaced Adelaide Avalanche in the league

| Brisbane Lightning || align=center| || Brisbane || align=center| || Boondall Iceworld || align=center|450 || align=center|2022 || align=center|2023 || || Joint venture between IHQ, Brisbane Buccaneers and the Southern Stars

| Canberra Brave || align=center| || Canberra || align=center| || AIS Arena || align=center|3,000 || colspan=2 align=center|2014 || CBR Brave (2014–23) || Replaced Canberra Knights in the league

| Central Coast Rhinos || align=center| || Central Coast || align=center| || Erina Ice Arena || align=center|500 || align=center|2005 || align=center|2023 || Blue Haven Rhinos (2005–06) || Second spell in league, first spell between 2005 and 2008 before declining licence in 2009

| Melbourne Ice || align=center| || Melbourne || align=center| || O'Brien Icehouse || align=center|2,000 ||align=center|2000 || align=center|2002 || || 2002 expansion team

| Melbourne Mustangs || align=center| || Melbourne || align=center| || O'Brien Icehouse || align=center|2,000 ||align=center|2010 ||align=center|2011 || Mustangs IHC (2010–12) || 2011 expansion team

| Newcastle Northstars || align=center| || Newcastle || align=center| || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium || align=center|1,000 ||align=center|1981 ||align=center|2002 || Newcastle North Stars (2002–16) || 2002 expansion team

| Perth Thunder || align=center| || Perth || align=center| || Perth Ice Arena || align=center|600 ||align=center|2010 ||align=center|2012 || || 2012 expansion team

| Sydney Bears || align=center| || Sydney || align=center| || Macquarie Ice Rink || align=center|2,000 ||align=center|1982 ||align=center|2000 || AIHL Bears (2007–09) || Last remaining operational founding team. Underwent a renovation in 2025.

| Sydney Ice Dogs || align=center| || Sydney || align=center| || Macquarie Ice Rink || align=center|2,000 ||colspan=2 align=center|2002 || West Sydney Ice Dogs (2002–09) || 2002 expansion team. Underwent a renovation in 2025.

Former teams

{| class="wikitable toccolours" style="width:112em"

|+ style="background:#000000; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#000000 5px solid;color:white"| Former teams

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Team

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Colours

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|City

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|State

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid; width: 50px"|Joined

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid; width: 50px"|Left

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Former names

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid"|Notes

| Adelaide Avalanche || align=center| || Adelaide || align=center| || align=center|2000 || align=center|2008 || || Founding team. Suspended operations in June 2008, players reformed to play as the Adelaide A's for the remainder of the 2008 season

| Canberra Knights || align=center| || Canberra || align=center| || align=center|2000 || align=center|2013 || || Founding team. Suspended operation in February 2014, players later reformed to play as the CBR Brave

| Gold Coast Blue Tongues || align=center| || Gold Coast || align=center| || align=center|2005 || align=center|2012 || Brisbane Blue Tongues || Licence suspended in 2012 before expiring in 2014 due to not having an adequate home rink. It was finally introduced in the 2022 season.

Overtime and points system

The points system and overtime formats used by the AIHL has developed and changed over the history of the league.

The current points system, first introduced in 2006, follows similar systems widely used in Europe. 3 points is awarded for a win, and 0 points for a loss. If a match is tied at the end of regulation time, overtime (OT) is used to guarantee a match winner. An overtime win is worth 2 points and an overtime loss is worth 1 point.

The current overtime rules deployed in the AIHL for regular season matches was introduced in 2019. At the end of regulation time there is a five-minute three on three overtime period, with the first goal winning the game. If no one scores during this OT period the match is then sent to a shootout to decide the winner and points split.

Between 2000 and 2005, the league had a then NHL style four on four five minute overtime period. If no one scored, the match was then officially recorded as a tie. In 2006 the league removed the five minute overtime period and replaced it with a shootout, meaning every match would have a winner. The shootout only system was used by the league until the end of the 2018 season.

For AIHL finals (play-offs), overtime periods are played to a regulation period length and incorporate the golden goal rule – in an overtime period, the game ends when one team scores a goal; the teams are at full strength (five skaters, barring penalties), there is no shootout, and each overtime period is 20 minutes with full intermissions between overtime periods.

Playoffs

Between 2000 and 2002 the AIHL had a single match final, known as the championship final, between the two teams who finished first and second in the regular round-robin season. In 2002, the Goodall Cup was awarded to the winner of the championship final for the first time, previously it was used as the award for the annual inter-state tournament held by IHA. In 2003, the AIHL switched to a four team playoff system, expanding the format into a 'finals weekend'. Retaining the single-match series, two semi-finals and a final would be played at a single venue over one weekend. The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the finals weekend. The two semi finals are conducted on the Saturday with 1 v 4 (semi final 1) playing first followed by 2 v 3 (semi final 2). The winners of the two semi finals advance to the final, held on the Sunday, to compete for the Goodall Cup and the AIHL Championship.

As of 2023, finals have been held in three different Australian states including New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, six cities including, Sydney, Adelaide, Central Coast, Newcastle, Penrith and Melbourne and eight stadiums as detailed in the table below:

thumb|right|The Henke Rink at the O'Brien Icehouse has hosted a record twelve AIHL Finals weekends

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! style="background:#000000;" colspan="4"| Finals Locations

! Season

! State

! Location

! Stadium

| 2000 || NSW || Sydney || Macquarie Ice Rink

| 2001 || SA || Adelaide || Thebarton Snowdome

| 2002 || NSW || Sydney || Blacktown Ice Arena

| 2003 || NSW || Sydney || Glaciarium

| 2004 || NSW || Central Coast || Erina Ice World

| 2005 || NSW || Newcastle || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium

| 2006 || SA || Adelaide || Adelaide Ice ArenA

| 2007 || NSW || Penrith || Penrith Ice Palace

| 2008 || NSW || Newcastle || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium

| 2009 || NSW || Newcastle || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium

| 2010 || VIC || Melbourne || Medibank Icehouse

| 2011 || VIC || Melbourne || Medibank Icehouse

| 2012 || NSW || Newcastle || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium

| 2013 || VIC || Melbourne || Medibank Icehouse

| 2014 || VIC || Melbourne || Medibank Icehouse

| 2015 || VIC || Melbourne || Medibank Icehouse

| 2016 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Group Arena

| 2017 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Group Arena

| 2018 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Group Arena

| 2019 || NSW || Newcastle || Hunter Ice Skating Stadium

| 2022 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Icehouse

| 2023 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Icehouse

| 2024 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Icehouse

| 2025 || VIC || Melbourne || O'Brien Icehouse

League champions

AIHL champions by seasons (2000–present)

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! style="background:#000000;" colspan="6"| Season-by-season Championships and Premierships

! rowspan=2|Year

! colspan=3|AIHL Championships

! colspan=2|AIHL League

! Champions !! Score !! Finalists !! Premiers !! Runners-up

| 2000 || Adelaide Avalanche || 6–5 (SO) || Sydney Bears|| Sydney Bears || Adelaide Avalanche

| 2001 || Adelaide Avalanche|| 10–7 || Sydney Bears|| Adelaide Avalanche || Sydney Bears

| 2002 || Sydney Bears || 5–4 (SO) || Adelaide Avalanche|| Sydney Bears|| Adelaide Avalanche

| 2003 || Newcastle North Stars || 4–1 || Western Sydney Ice Dogs|| Adelaide Avalanche|| Newcastle North Stars

| 2004 || Western Sydney Ice Dogs || 3–1 || Newcastle North Stars|| Newcastle North Stars || Western Sydney Ice Dogs

| 2005 || Newcastle North Stars|| 3–1 || Adelaide Avalanche|| Adelaide Avalanche|| Newcastle North Stars

| 2006 || Newcastle North Stars|| 4–0 || Adelaide Avalanche|| Melbourne Ice || Adelaide Avalanche

| 2007 || AIHL Bears|| 4–3 (OT) || Newcastle North Stars|| Adelaide Avalanche|| Melbourne Ice

| 2008 || Newcastle North Stars|| 4–1 || Sydney Ice Dogs|| AIHL Bears|| Sydney Ice Dogs

| 2009 || Adelaide Adrenaline || 3–2 (OT) || Newcastle North Stars|| Newcastle North Stars|| Melbourne Ice

| 2010 || Melbourne Ice || 6–4 || Adelaide Adrenaline|| Newcastle North Stars|| Melbourne Ice

| 2011 || Melbourne Ice|| 3–2 || Newcastle North Stars|| Melbourne Ice|| Newcastle North Stars

| 2012 || Melbourne Ice|| 4–3 || Newcastle North Stars|| Newcastle North Stars|| Melbourne Ice

| 2013 || Sydney Ice Dogs|| 6–3 || Newcastle North Stars|| Sydney Ice Dogs || Newcastle North Stars

| 2014 || Melbourne Mustangs || 6–1 || Melbourne Ice|| Melbourne Mustangs || Melbourne Ice

| 2015 || Newcastle North Stars|| 3–2 (OT) || Melbourne Ice|| Newcastle North Stars|| Melbourne Ice

| 2016 || Newcastle North Stars|| 2–1 || CBR Brave|| Melbourne Ice|| Perth Thunder

| 2017 || Melbourne Ice|| 4–1 || CBR Brave|| Melbourne Ice|| Perth Thunder

| 2018 || CBR Brave || 4–3 (OT) || Sydney Bears|| CBR Brave || Sydney Bears

| 2019 || Sydney Bears|| 5–2 || Perth Thunder|| CBR Brave|| Newcastle Northstars

| colspan="6" |

| 2022 || CBR Brave || 3–2 || Newcastle Northstars || CBR Brave || Newcastle Northstars

| 2023 || Melbourne Mustangs || 1–0 || CBR Brave || CBR Brave || Sydney Bears

| 2024 || Canberra Brave || 5–0 || Melbourne Ice || Sydney Bears || Melbourne Ice

| 2025 || Melbourne Ice || 7-3 || Canberra Brave || Melbourne Ice || Canberra Brave

AIHL champions all-time record

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%"

! style="background:#000000;" colspan="7"| All-time Championships

! Team !! # Titles !! Years

| Adelaide Adrenaline || || 2009

| Adelaide Avalanche || || 2000, 2001

| Canberra Brave || || 2018, 2022, 2024

| Melbourne Ice || || 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2025

| Melbourne Mustangs || || 2014, 2023

| Newcastle Northstars || || 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016

| Sydney Bears || || 2002, 2007, 2019

| Sydney Ice Dogs || || 2004, 2013

Trophies and awards

right|thumb|150px|The Goodall Cup is awarded to the AIHL Champion

;Goodall Cup

The champions of the AIHL are awarded the Goodall Cup, a perpetual national trophy third in age only to the Stanley Cup (1892) and the Allan Cup (1908). The Goodall Cup was incorporated into the AIHL in 2002 after the league expanded to 6 teams. The Goodall Cup is awarded to the team that wins the Finals series/playoffs weekend at the end of each season. The team that holds the Goodall Cup is considered to be the Australian champion.

The Goodall Cup was withdrawn from the AIHL in 2009 by the cup's custodians, Ice Hockey Australia. The Goodall Cup was instead awarded to South Australia in a traditional state vs state tournament held in Adelaide, South Australia in October 2009 as a 100-year celebration of the Goodall Cup.

In 2010 the Goodall Cup was offered back to the AIHL, and the cup accepted by a vote of the members and board. The Goodall Cup has been re-instated by the AIHL as its finals tournament trophy and as the prize signifying Australian champions of ice hockey.

Like in the case of the Stanley Cup, the original Goodall Cup is considered too delicate to travel and a replica is now awarded to the league champion team.

;Mick McCormack Cup

right|thumb|150px|Mick McCormack Cup is awarded to the MVP of the AIHL regular season

First awarded in 2015, the Mick McCormack Cup is awarded annually to the most valuable player of the Australian Ice Hockey League All-Star Game. As of 2018, the Cup was re-purposed as the award to the winning team of the Australian Ice Hockey League All-Star Game.

The trophy is named after Australian ice hockey advocate, Mick McCormack, who is the CEO of APA Group.

Recipients of the Mick McCormack Cup include Pat O’Kane from the Melbourne Mustangs (2015), Michael Dorr of Perth Thunder (2016), and Dominic Jalbert of CBR Brave (2017). Team Rezek won the cup in 2018.

;AIHL Champions Trophy

In 2009 Ice Hockey Australia withdrew the Goodall Cup from the AIHL, claiming it was instead to presented to the winning team from IHA's own tournament to be run in South Australia, celebrating the Cup's 100th anniversary since it was first awarded in a game between NSW and Victoria in 1909. Without a major trophy to present to its finals winning team, the AIHL designed and had manufactured its own unique trophy.

The new AIHL Champions Trophy was awarded to the 2009 AIHL Champions, the Adelaide Adrenaline following their victory in the 2009 final.

In 2010 the AIHL Champions Trophy was re-launched as the H Newman Reid Trophy, honouring the minor premiers from each season back to 2008.

;H Newman Reid Trophy

right|thumb|150px|The H Newman Reid Trophy is awarded to the AIHL Premier

The H Newman Reid Trophy is awarded to the regular season's minor premiers; that is, the team that finishes first overall in the standings.

Reid is considered the father of ice hockey in Australia, opening Australia's first two ice rinks and employing key people who introduced Australians, including his own children, to winter sports.

The H Newman Reid Trophy was first awarded in 2010 to the Newcastle North Stars after they finished first in the regular season with 54 points.

The Reid Trophy was backdated to 2008 including minor premiers the Sydney Bears (2008) and the Newcastle North Stars (2009 & 2010).

;V.I.P. Cup

The V.I.P. Cup was awarded to the minor premiers of each season; that is, the team that finishes first overall in the standings at the end of the regular season. The VIP cup was last awarded to the Adelaide Avalanche in 2007. The VIP Cup was not returned to the league and has been replaced by the H Newman Reid Trophy.

;Wilson Cup

The Wilson Cup is awarded to the winner of the AIHL pre-season competition, which began in 2007 and ran again in 2008 and 2009. No Wilson Cup was run in 2010 or 2011.

Records

All-time skater totals

Top-ten skater totals in six categories. For PPG, to qualify for the list, a player must have played a minimum 20 games in the AIHL.

|- valign=top

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Appearances

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|No. !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Name !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"| !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|

|1 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Lliam Webster || D || 387

|2 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tommy Powell || F || 384

|3 || Greg Oddy || F || 383

|4 || David Dunwoodie || D || 372

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Sean Jones || F || 340

|6 || Tomas Manco || D || 332

|7 || Adrian Esposito || F || 327

|8 || Mark Rummukainen || D || 325

|9 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Brian Funes || D || 323

|10 || Michael Schlamp || D || 305

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Goals

|1 || Greg Oddy || F || 268

|2 || Joey Hughes || F || 215

|3 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Wehebe Darge || F || 213

|4 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Lliam Webster || D || 210

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Jamie Bourke || F || 180

|6 || Vladimir Rubes || F || 176

|7 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tommy Powell || F || 175

|8 || Matt Armstrong || F || 170

|9 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tomas Landa || F || 166

|10 || Jason Baclig || F || 148

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Assists

|1 || Greg Oddy || F || 347

|2 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tommy Powell || F || 301

|3 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Wehebe Darge || F || 290

|4 || Vladimir Rubes || F || 270

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Joey Hughes || F || 268

|6 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Lliam Webster || D || 266

|7 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tomas Landa || F || 252

|8 || Matt Armstrong || F || 249

|9 || Robert Starke || D || 242

|10 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Robert Malloy || F || 218

|- valign=top

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Points

|1 || Greg Oddy || F || 615

|2 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Wehebe Darge || F || 503

|3 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Joey Hughes || F || 483

|4 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Lliam Webster || D || 476

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tommy Powell || F || 476

|6 || Vladimir Rubes || F || 446

|7 || Matt Armstrong || F || 419

|8 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tomas Landa || F || 418

|9 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Jamie Bourke || F || 394

|10 || Michael Schlamp || D || 350

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Points per game

|1 || Austin Albrecht || F || 3.600

|2 || Brad Smulders || F || 3.455

|3 || Jesse Gabrielle || F || 3.350

|4 || Marcel Kars || F || 3.300

|5 || B.J. Pelkey || F || 3.095

|6 || Luke Moffatt || F || 3.095

|7 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tanner Hopps || F || 3.080

|8 || Addison DeBoer || F || 3.036

|9 || Peter Cartwright || F || 3.000

|10 || Jesse Pyatt || F || 3.000

{| class="toccolours" style="width:25em"

! colspan="4" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Penalty minutes

|1 || David Dunwoodie || D || 1652

|2 || Andrew White || D || 1248

|3 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Lliam Webster || D || 1115

|4 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Jamie Bourke || F || 1037

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Joey Hughes || F || 949

|6 || Greg Oddy || F || 938

|7 || Vincent Hughes || D || 844

|8 || Mark Rummukainen || D || 826

|9 || Cass Delsar || F || 746

|10 || Todd Stephenson || F || 703

Legend:

{| class="toccolours" style="width:20em; text-align:center; font-size:80%;"

| style="background:#e8e8e8;color:black; width: 30px"|Active AIHL player

By season totals

Top-ten season totals for skaters and goaltender in four categories. For goaltenders, to qualify for lists, a player must have played a minimum 10 AIHL matches in a season.

|- valign=top

{| class="toccolours" style="width:28em"

! colspan="5" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Points

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|No. !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Name !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Season !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"| !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|

|1 || Geordie Wudrick || 2015 || F || 91

|2 || Addison DeBoer || 2011 || F || 85

|3 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Scott Timmins || 2023 || F || 82

|4 || Brian Bales || 2010 || F || 81

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tanner Hopps || 2025 || F || 80

|6 || Stephen Blunden || 2015 || F || 79

|7 || Peter Cartwright || 2010 || F || 78

|8 || Tim Crowder || 2019 || F || 77

|9 || Britt Ouellette || 2011 || F || 77

|10 || Austin Albrecht || 2023 || F || 76

{| class="toccolours" style="width:28em"

! colspan="5" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Penalty minutes

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|No. !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Name !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Season !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"| !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|

|1 || Blair Collins || 2006 || F || 208

|2 || Ryan O'Keefe || 2006 || D || 192

|3 || Bryan Lachance || 2008 || D || 191

|4 || Trevor Ross || 2005 || D || 189

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Jamie Bourke || 2011 || F || 180

|6 || Derek Campbell || 2010 || F || 175

|7 || Jordan Landry || 2005 || F || 172

|8 || Blair Collins || 2005 || F || 168

|9 || Mike Funk || 2005 || D || 168

|10 || Harrison Byers || 2013 || D || 167

|- valign=top

{| class="toccolours" style="width:28em"

! colspan="5" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Save percentage

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|No. !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Name !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Season !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"| !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|

|1 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Anthony Kimlin || 2012 || G || .935%

|2 || Thomas Heemskerk || 2016 || G || .927%

|3 || Matt Hewitt || 2018 || G || .925%

|4 || Peter Di Salvo || 2017 || G || .924%

|5 || Damien Ketlo || 2017 || G || .923%

|6 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Anthony Kimlin || 2023 || G || .921%

|7 || Josh Unice || 2015 || G || .921%

|8 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Anthony Kimlin || 2018 || G || .920%

|9 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Tatsunoshin Ishida || 2024 || G || .920%

|10 || Matthew Ezzy || 2004 || G || .919%

{| class="toccolours" style="width:28em"

! colspan="5" style="background:#000000;color:white;border:#000000 1px solid"|Goals against average

! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|No. !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Name !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|Season !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"| !! style="background:#FFFFFF;color:black;border:#000000 1px solid;"|

|1 || Matt Hewitt || 2018 || G || 1.95

|2 || Troy Davenport || 2016 || G || 2.08

|3 || Matt Climie || 2019 || G || 2.14

|4 || Jaden Pine-Murphy || 2014 || G || 2.23

|5 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Anthony Kimlin || 2012 || G || 2.25

|6 || Matthew Ezzy || 2004 || G || 2.28

|7 || Dayne Davis || 2017 || G || 2.33

|8 || bgcolor="#e8e8e8"| Anthony Kimlin || 2018 || G || 2.39

|9 || Olivier Martin || 2013 || G || 2.45

|10 || Thomas Heemskerk || 2016 || G || 2.45

Legend:

{| class="toccolours" style="width:20em; text-align:center; font-size:80%;"

| style="background:#e8e8e8;color:black; width: 30px"|Active AIHL player

Season awards

AIHL season awards are announced near or at the end of the regular season, with the Finals MVP announced after the conclusion of the Goodall Cup Final. Below is the known history of AIHL award winners.

{| class="toccolours" style="width:85em"

! style="background:#000000;color:white;"|Season

! style="background:#000000;color:white;"|

|align="center"|2000 || – || – || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2001 || – || – || Eric Lien || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2002 || – || – || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2003 || Dylan Martini || – || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2004 || – || – || Matthew Ezzy || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2005 || – || – || Matthew Ezzy || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2006 || – || – || Matthew Ezzy || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2007 || Tommy Powell || Pekka Kankaanranta || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2008 || Lliam Webster || Mickey Gilchrist || Matthew Ezzy || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2009 || Brad Smulders || Cass Delsar || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2010 || Greg Oddy || Jason Baclig || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2011 || Jason Baclig || Joey Hughes || – || – || – || – || –

|align="center"|2012 || Tomas Landa Jeremy Boyer || Todd Graham || Anthony Kimlin || Robbie Lawrance || Greg Bay Charlie Huber || – || –

|align="center"|2013 || Jeff Martens || Anthony Kimlin || Anthony Kimlin || John Gordon || Cameron Todd || Anthony Kimlin || –

|align="center"|2014 || Simon Barg || Viktor Gibbs Sjödin || Petri Pitkänen || Jack Wolgemuth || Jeremy Brown || David Dunwoodie || –

|align="center"|2015 || Geordie Wudrick || Geordie Wudrick || Kamil Jarina || Jan Safar || Kieran Webster || Wehebe Darge || Dave Kenway

|align="center"|2016 || Wehebe Darge || Dayne Davis || Anthony Kimlin || Jan Safar || Casey Kubara || Casey Kubara || Brent Laver

|align="center"|2017 || Cameron Critchlow || Sebastian Ottosson || Damien Ketlo || Rob Haselhurst || Bayley Kubara || Joey Hughes || Dave Ruck

|align="center"|2018 || Pier-Olivier Grandmaison || Trevor Gerling || Anthony Kimlin || Landon Oslanski || Jason McMahon || Wehebe Darge || Ron Kuprowsky

|align="center"|2019 || Dylan Quaile || Danick Gauthier || Matt Climie || Dylan Quaile || Jake Ratcliffe || Kieran Webster || John Kennedy

|align="center"|2022 || Casey Kubara || Joey Hughes || Michael James || Ty Wishart || Ethan Hawes || Casey Kubara || Kevin Noble

|align="center"|2023 || Scott Timmins || Liam Hughes || Andrew Masters || Ty Wishart || Riley Klugerman || Jordan Kyros || Benjamin Breault

|align="center"|2024 || Kaden Elder || Jake Ratcliffe || Rylan Toth || Ryan Annesley || Daniel Koudelka || Robert Haselhurst || Jason Kvisle

|align="center"|2025 || Yu Hikosaka || Mackenzie Caruana || Aleksi Toivonen || Bray Crowder || Artem Astafiev Luka Loria || Wehebe Darge || Benjamin Breault

References:

Media coverage

In March 2026, the ABC released a documentary episode of their ‘Play On’ series that featured the AIHL. The season 2 episode 3 is available on the ABC iView streaming service and was shot throughout the 2025 AIHL season. Paul Kennedy was the presenter and producer, and the episode focused on how imports influence the league, in particular Japanese goaltender Tatsunoshin Ishida.

Damien Ketlo, the 2017 save percentage leader, became a contestant on Big Brother Canada season 7 and mentioned Australian hockey in episode 22.

References

External links

Official website
Ice Hockey Australia
Elite Prospects – AIHL

History

Foundation and first decade (2000–10)

Expansion and Finals introduction

Second decade (2011–19)

Implementation of conference system

Robert Bannerman era

David Turik era

COVID-19 season cancellations (2020–21)

Third decade (2022–present)

Teams

Current teams

Former teams

Overtime and points system

Playoffs

League champions

AIHL champions by seasons (2000–present)

AIHL champions all-time record

Trophies and awards

Records

All-time skater totals

By season totals

Season awards

Media coverage

See also

References

External links