The 2016 CBR Brave season was the Brave's 3rd season in the Australian Ice Hockey League since being founded and entering the league in 2014. The season ran from 23 April 2016 to 28 August 2016 for the Brave. CBR finished fourth in the regular season behind the Melbourne Ice, Perth Thunder and Newcastle North Stars.[1] The Brave qualified for the AIHL Finals in Melbourne and played in semi-final one. Canberra defeated the Ice 4–3 in overtime to qualify for the Goodall Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.[2][3] The Brave were defeated in the final by the North Stars 1–2.[4]
2016 CBR Brave | |
---|---|
League | 4th AIHL |
2016 record | 15–2–2–9 |
Home record | 9–0–1–4 |
Road record | 6–2–1–5 |
Goals for | 129 |
Goals against | 117 |
Team information | |
Coach | Josh Unice Art Bidlevskii (Interim head coach) |
Assistant coach | David Rogina |
Captain | Jordan Gavin |
Alternate captains | Ryan Johnson Kai Miettinen |
Arena | Phillip Ice Skating Centre |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Stephen Blunden (20) Geordie Wudrick |
Assists | Casey Kubara (33) |
Points | Geordie Wudrick (50) |
Penalty minutes | Harrison Byers (108) |
Goals against average | Alex Tetreault (4.72) |
News
editIn March 2016, Josh Unice was named as Brave head coach for the 2016 AIHL season. The inexperienced former goaltender was joined by experienced assistant coach Dave Rogina and strength and conditioning trainer Stuart Philps.[5]
In April 2016, The Brave announced their playing roster for the season. The bulk of the roster returned from 2015 but the team confirmed six imported players from overseas including the inter-league transfer of AIHL MVP Geordie Wudrick from the Newcastle North Stars.[6] The Brave also announced two new partnerships in the month of April. Firstly, a new marketing and supporter partnership with Canberra's national baseball team, the Canberra Cavalry.[7] And secondly, a promotional partnership with Australian Defence Force hockey team the Navy Tigersharks with the goal to help promote the sport in the ADF.[8]
Six matches into the 2016 season, import Canadian defenceman, Art Bidlevskii, was hospitalised after a freak accident in an ugly AIHL match in Newcastle between rivals the North Stars and Brave. Art's voice box was shattered, he lost his voice for a period of time, he was almost placed in a coma and he was told he could die if he played ice hockey again. The accident ended the twenty five year old's playing career.[9][10] Art took up a role as assistant coach with the team following his release from hospital.
In August, one week before the end of the regular season, the CBR Brave management announced the sudden departure of Josh Unice from the team for personal reasons. Art Bidlevskii was named as replacement head coach on an interim basis for the final match of the regular season and the finals series.[11] The CBR Brave finished the season in fourth place after a surprise 6–4 loss to last placed Sydney Ice Dogs in Liverpool, Sydney. The team qualified for the finals weekend in Melbourne where they would face league premiers, the Melbourne Ice in the first semi-final match.[12]
In September, post-finals, CBR Brave players took out a hat-trick of AIHL player awards for the 2016 season.[13] Czech import, Jan Safar, was named AIHL Defenceman of the season for the second straight year while Casey Kubara was awarded both the Local Player of the year as well as Rookie of the year awards.[14][15]
Roster
editTeam roster for the 2016 AIHL season[16]
# | Nat | Name | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | Art Bidlevskii | D | R | 25 | 2016 | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | |
73 | Stephen Blunden | LW | L | 27 | 2014 | Gloucester, Ontario, Canada | |
10 | Zachary Boyle | D | L | 20 | 2016 | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia | |
8 | Nicola Brandi | LW | R | 22 | 2016 | Wetzikon, Hinwil, Switzerland | |
21 | Jordan Brunt | F | L | 16 | 2015 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
22 | Harrison Byers | C | R | 23 | 2014 | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | |
17 | James Byers | D | R | 22 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
23 | Timothy Cox | D | R | 28–29 | 2016 | Australia | |
38 | Nickolas Eckhardt | G | L | 26 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
19 | Jordan Gavin (C) | F | R | 33–34 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
14 | Matt Gilpin | F | R | 20 | 2016 | Queensland, Australia | |
2 | Mathieu Guertin | LW | L | 24 | 2016 | Repentigny, Quebec, Canada | |
86 | Matthew Harvey | D | R | 30 | 2014 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
18 | Mitchell Henning | F | R | 18 | 2016 | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | |
3 | Ryan Johnson (A) | F | R | 41–42 | 2014 | Amesbury, Massachusetts, United States | |
15 | Casey Kubara | RW | R | 20 | 2016 | Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia | |
16 | Tyler Kubara | F | R | 21 | 2015 | Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia | |
77 | Tom Letki | F | R | 27 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
28 | Matti Louma | RW | R | 36 | 2016 | Helsinki, Finland | |
64 | Kai Miettinen (A) | F | L | 20 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
27 | Luke Moore | D | R | 20 | 2016 | Belfast, United Kingdom | |
13 | Luke Philps | F | R | 33 | 2016 | Australia | |
9 | Neal Prokop | C | L | 26 | 2016 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
12 | Mark Rummukainen | D | R | 34 | 2014 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
24 | Jan Safar | D | R | 29 | 2016 | Praha, Czech Republic | |
20 | Alexandre Tetreault | G | L | 18 | 2015 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
5 | Aleksi Toivonen | G | L | 20 | 2015 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | |
88 | Geordie Wudrick | LW | L | 26 | 2016 | Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada |
Transfers
editAll the player transfers in and out by the CBR Brave for the 2016 AIHL season.
In
editPos | Player | Transferred From | Local / Import |
---|---|---|---|
D | Art Bidlevskii | Kallinge-Ronneby IF | Import |
D | Zachary Boyle | Adelaide Adrenaline | Local |
W | Nicola Brandi | SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers | Import |
D | Timothy Cox | No team | Local |
F | Matt Gilpin | No team | Local |
W | Mathieu Guertin | Trois-Rivières Blizzard | Import |
F | Mitchell Henning | No team | Local |
W | Casey Kubara | Atlanta Jr. Knights | Local |
W | Matti Luoma | No team | Local |
D | Luke Moore | No team] | Local |
F | Luke Philps | No team | Local |
C | Neal Prokop | No team | Import |
D | Jan Safar | Newcastle North Stars | Import |
W | Geordie Wudrick | Newcastle North Stars | Import |
Out
editPos | Player | Transferred To | Local / Import |
---|---|---|---|
D | Aaron Clayworth | No team | Local |
D/F | David Dunwoodie | Sydney Ice Dogs | Local |
W | Kelly Geoffrey | Aigles de La Roche sur Yon | Import |
D/F | Mike Giorgi | No team | Import |
F | David Lewis | No team | Local |
F | Jayden Lewis | No team | Local |
D | Tomas Manco | Sydney Ice Dogs | Local |
D | Kyle Mariani | Bouquetins de Val Vanoise | Import |
D | Ben Pagett | No team | Local |
C | Jordan Peddle | Terrace River Kings | Import |
C | Scott Pitt | Braehead Clan | Import |
F | Alain Riesen | No team | Local |
D/F | Peter Taylor | No team | Local |
G | Josh Unice | CBR Brave (head coach) | Import |
G | Stuart Woodall | No team | Local |
Staff
editStaff Roster for 2016 AIHL season[17]
Role | Staff |
---|---|
Head coach | Josh Unice |
Assistant coach | David Rogina |
Assistant coach | Art Bidlevskii |
Strength and conditioning coach | Stuart Philps |
Physiotherapist | Sportstec |
Equipment manager | Adrian Miller |
Bench official | Darren Sault |
Bench official | Kelly Sault |
Standings
editRegular season
editSummary
Season | Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | L | OW | OL | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Finish | P | W | L | OW | OL | GF | GA | GD | P | W | L | OW | OL | GF | GA | GD | |
2016 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 129 | 117 | +12 | 51 | 4th | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 70 | 56 | +14 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 59 | 61 | -2 |
Position by round
League table
Team | GP | W | SOW | SOL | L | GF | GA | GDF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Melbourne Ice | 28 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 127 | 71 | +56 | 66 |
Perth Thunder | 28 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 96 | 73 | +23 | 57 |
Newcastle North Stars | 28 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 105 | 74 | +31 | 52 |
CBR Brave | 28 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 129 | 117 | +12 | 51 |
Melbourne Mustangs | 28 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 89 | 102 | −13 | 37 |
Sydney Bears | 28 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 77 | 95 | −18 | 28 |
Sydney Ice Dogs | 28 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 92 | 139 | −47 | 24 |
Adelaide Adrenaline | 28 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 83 | 127 | −44 | 21 |
Qualified for the Goodall Cup playoffs | H Newman Reid Trophy winners |
Finals
editSummary
Season | Finals weekend | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | L | GF | GA | Result | Semi-final | Goodall Cup final | |
2016 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Runners-up | Won 4-3 (OT) (Ice) | Lost 1-2 (North Stars) |
Bracket
Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
1 | Melbourne Ice | 3 | |||||||
4 | CBR Brave | 4* | |||||||
CBR Brave | 1 | ||||||||
Newcastle North Stars | 2 | ||||||||
3 | Newcastle North Stars | 3* | |||||||
2 | Perth Thunder | 2 |
* denotes number of overtime periods
Schedule & results
editRegular season
editFinals
editGoodall Cup semi-final All times are UTC+10:00
27 August 2016 15:00 | CBR Brave | 4 – 3 OT (1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 1–0) | Melbourne Ice | O'Brien Group Arena |
Game reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aleksi Toivonen | Goalies | Troy Davenport | Referee: Jeff Scott Linesmen: Fraser Ohlson Casper Russell-Huber | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
12 min | Penalties | 35 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
34 | Shots | 35 |
Goodall Cup final
28 August 2016 15:00 | CBR Brave | 1–2 (0–1, 0–1, 1–0) | Newcastle North Stars | O'Brien Group Arena |
Game reference | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aleksi Toivonen | Goalies | Dayne Davis | Referee: Cory Ross Linesmen: Fraser Ohlson Casper Russell-Huber | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||
29 | Shots | 31 |
Player statistics
editSkaters
edit
|
|
Goaltenders
edit
|
|
Awards
edit
Team awards for 2016 season[18] |
AIHL awards for 2016 season[19]
|
References
edit- ^ "2016 AIHL season: Round 17". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. August 20, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Corrigan, Tom (August 27, 2016). "Canberra Brave into Australian Ice Hockey League with overtime win". The Canberra Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ Scardetta, Jordan (August 27, 2016). "CBR Brave first to advance to Goodall Cup Final". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ Francis, Adrienne (August 29, 2016). "Australian Ice Hockey League grand final: 'Heartbreaking' loss for Canberra Brave against Newcastle North Stars". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ "2016 Coaching Team Announcement". CBR Brave. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "Brave Release 2016 Roster". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- ^ "Canberra Cavalry and CBR Brave partnership to offer fans extended benefits". brave.theaihl.com. April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- ^ "CBR Brave and Navy Tigersharks Announce new Partnership". brave.theaihl.com. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ Dutton, Chris (July 29, 2016). "Canberra Brave boss urges players to use blood and heartbreak as AHL motivation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Kroiter, Jon (August 10, 2016). "Canberra Brave's Art Bidlevskii breaks throat, almost placed in a coma". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Helmers, Caden (August 17, 2016). "Ice Hockey: CBR Brave coach Josh Unice stands down on the eve of the AIHL finals". The Canberra Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ Helmers, Caden (August 20, 2016). "AIHL: CBR Brave's Goodall Cup ambitions take another hit against Sydney Ice Dogs". The Canberra Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "The AIHL's best recognised in Annual AIHL Awards". theaihl.com. September 12, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ McNamara, Bernard (September 13, 2016). "Safar takes out second straight D-man honour". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ McNamara, Bernard (September 13, 2016). "Kubara takes out Rookie and Local Player of the Year". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "2016 CBR Brave Team Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ "CBR Brave Coaching Staff". www.theaihl.com. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "CBR Brave 2016 Player Awards". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. August 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ "The AIHL's best recognised in Annual AIHL Awards". www.theaihl.com. September 12, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2020.