IHV :: ICE HOCKEY VICTORIA

2011 has been a fantastic year for Ice Hockey in Victoria. Someone told me the other day, "Gee whiz Andy you, and Ice Hockey have had a few headaches this year. " Well, my response was this.

Yes, we have had a few issues to deal with, quite a few actually, but you know what, that’s because we have done lots, and I mean lots, and lots and lots. It really has been a huge year, a few hiccups but oh so many success stories!

This year started off with a very Historic event, and one that for many years seemed only ever a pipedream.Ice Hockey Victoria hosted, the Div 11 World championships here in Melbourne at the Icehouse Docklands, and to critical acclaim and applause. To see Australia win Gold, at our rink, in our town, after over 100 IHV volunteers put in hundreds of hours of preparation and work into this event is something that will stay with me forever. I am so proud of what we achieved, and so so proud of our players foremost, but of course all our helpers, volunteers, committee, executive, mums and dads, brothers and sisters alike, that rolled up their sleeves and handled it !

The Belguim Chef de Mission told me at the after party, “I have been to many many world championships, I think this, the best one ever.”

It was the first ever World championships held in Melbourne Victoria. We should all be very proud as it was a complete success, it was profitable, it was extremely well attended, and it has helped us enormously politically and socially. To everyone that helped , in particular Wendy Jones and Christine James, thank you sincerely for a job well done. I was also particularly proud of our team hosts, as once again, many teams raved about our Aussie hospitality and attention to detail. There is no doubt in my mind , it was one of our finest achievements.

The World championships highlighted how passionate we Victorians are about our Ice Hockey. It also helped show our depth of support, how quickly we rallied support and volunteers for the event, and how many hidden talents are amongst us. It was tiring for many of us, but it also seemed to bond us and give us some confidence that we can help organize major Ice Hockey events right here.

Once again I want to thank the Executive of IHV, for their commitment, their talents, their time , and their friendship. We are very lucky.

I would also like to thank our Clubs, the Committee members, Presidents and Delegates, for your energy, your workloads, and your courtesy. Thanks also to all our On and Off ice officials, to Martin Jones and Tim Bell for pulling it all together, and their professional approach and dedication.

Thanks also to all our members and players. 40 % Growth is remarkable in 18 months since the Docklands opened, and I thank you for your understanding and commitment to your sport. Whilst we do our very best to give you what you want, when you want it, it’s a hard task believe me).

Thanks also to all the Mums and Dads, for the early morning starts, for the assistance, encouragement, and for allowing your kids to play the best sport of them all.

Our achievements this year are almost too many to list, but I guess starting at the top. The AIHL, congratulations to Melbourne Ice for keeping the Goodall in Victoria. The AIHL season was a roaring success, and Melb Ice are the market leaders. A huge congratulations!! . They are back to back champions, but the winning doesn’t stop there. The home crowds have become the talk of the league and Melb Ice has by far the largest supporter base, and, I have to say, that its just a fantastic atmosphere. Well done to the M/I team, you’ve encouraged supported and maintained, deservedly so, a great fan base and I can only see it rolling on to bigger and better things! Well done.

Having a second team in the AIHL was also a remarkable achievement, it also was a lot of hard work , and a big thanks to John Belic and Steve Laforet for getting the Mustangs from beer talk to AIHL reality. The Mustangs had an awesome rookie season beating every team in the competition except Gold coast. A great effort seeing they had by far the youngest and lightest list in the league - IHV wishes them all the best for 2012 and beyond.

Our state teams once again proved that the Victorian jerseys are the ones worn with the most passion, the most heart, and the most pride.

Firstly can I thank all our coaches, team mangers and assistants, as all our teams were well run , well organized, and competed with respect and enthusiasm. The McCrae Williamson was played in the new Jamboree format, and I’m encouraged to hear that our youngest (the Atoms) that attended loved it. It promises to be bigger and better in 2012.

Our Ginsberg team won Silver, and congratulations to them. They fought hard had a great championship, thanks to Jono Cornford who is a very dedicated coach.

DeFris won Gold again, and Tony Theobald as head coach did a great job keeping the boys firing all championship. Congratulations.

Our Tange team, well what can I say, I think the Victorian Tange gold medals need to be kept at Fort Knox! Simon "Tange" Holmes, we salute you. What a record? - 12 out of the last 14 Gold medals, its remarkable, its fantastic, and what more can I say, but thank you !

The Brown team this year didn’t get a medal, but thanks to Chuck Connelly for keeping the Brown enthusiasm up. The boys did very well,they won a few games, and I believe its all systems go for 2012.

I would also like to thank Jono, Tony and all the helpers at Development council. Once again we had great numbers at Oakleigh on a Tuesday night, and again on Fridays for the Seniors. Its just so inspiring to see so many on the ice, and they are all so thankful of the assistance and coaching they receive. It remains one of our best programs, and we must assist and help it to grow and continue to prosper.

Congratulations of course to the Demons. Our oldest club, yes 1946 (the Blackhawks 1947) and they pulled off the Russell Jones Championship and the Kleiner defeating the Braves in 2 straight games. The Demons must also be applauded in the way they helped the Jets, and I know both clubs are all the stronger for this season. It’s a tough gig sometimes, but thanks to the leaders of the clubs, your co-operation and spirit, finished up giving you guys the penultimate prize.

Well done to the Sharks who once again secured the Basil Hansen championship, in a hard fought final against the Demons.

The Demons , who had a remarkable season, won the Premier C championship defeateing the Braves, The Devils , another Demons franchise(lol) won the Rec C div 2, and congrats to the Braves who are champions of the Rec Div 1.

The Junior finals were also great to see, and congratulations to the Pirates taking out the Midget championship, the Flyers taking the championship in Bantam, and the Flyers taking the championship in Pee Wee. Once again, I was very impressed with the standard of play in our Juniors, we have some remarkably skilled players coming through the ranks, any wonder why NSW dislikes us so much J.

Our AWIHL team, also now named Melbourne Ice, you girls really did us proud. Once again, like your male countrparts, you did it, you won the McKowen in your home town, your rink, your state in front of your fans and supporters. The grand final was a nail biter, the shootout just an unbelievable event to witness. Congratulations on a well deserved Championship win.

I also want to congratulate and thank Don Reddish and his Nite Owls. The Old Timers championship here at the Ice house was just a great event, and to see so many older, yes I know not that old, players having such a great time is an inspiration to us all. Its well run, very well attended, and Don, you are a tireless worker for our sport, thank you.

Anyway, in conclusion , I just want to make sure, that you all take the time to think about what a great year 2011 was for Ice Hockey. Its easy to criticize, and I know we have had, and will have, some more growing pains as we deal with increase in numbers and possibly a decrease in available ice time. Be rest assured, in true Vic spirit, it aint over until the fat lady sings, and we have some great challenges ahead of us, but I am confident and proud of the fact that we will continue to negotiate the best possible deals for our members. Ice time, Nationals championships, coaches, officials, tribunals - after 100 years, we’ve learnt a bit! Although, yes, its all ahead of us too.

PRESIDENT'S COMMENT