2012 Medibank Melbourne Ice Roster

Generational players take their spot on the 2012 Medibank Melbourne Ice main roster including nine players representing Australia in 2011 & 2012. This year’s Australian Senior Team includes Graham, J. Hughes, Powell and Webster.  The Australian Junior (under 20) Team includes  McKenzie, Szalinski, Humphries and M. Wong. The Australian Youth (under 18) Team includes C. Wong from the main roster and Medibank Melbourne Ice Academy member and Youth Olympian Sam Hodic.

2012 is a significant year in the history books for Melbourne Ice, the club celebrates its 10 year anniversary of playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League and the team is skating to win three consecutive championships, something that no other team has achieved in league history.

Since December 2011 up to 40 local Victorian players have turned up to train and try out for Medibank Melbourne Ice and each week the intensity has built as players themselves accept how special it is to be part of a champion organisation that is dedicated to constant improvement and development. Leading into the selection camp weekend more than a dozen players were on the bubble, which is a testament to the depth of Victorian hockey.

At the end of the weekend the coaching staff had a really tough choice to make, with no player giving less than 100%.  The coaching staff of Watson and Gardner debated the strengths and weakness of every player not just the bubble players and in doing so committed to icing the best 3 lines possible.  With the knowledge of who will fill the vacant two import spots that are due for announcement later this week, the coaches’ focus was to put together a balanced squad that has depth on all 3 lines with special team combinations to ensure Melbourne Ice has the absolute best chance of winning its third title.

Medibank Melbourne Ice is pleased to announce the 10 year anniversary roster and 2012 squad;

Hard Choices

Goalies

Stu Denman

Dahlen Phillips

Andrew Crowther

Forwards

Joey Hughes

Lliam Webster

Tommy Powell

Mitch Humphries

Austin McKenzie

Chris Wong

Daniel Szalinski

Andrew Erzen

Caleb Butler

Defensemen

Todd Graham

Dylan Moore

Greg Sturrock

Vinnie Hughes

Marcus Wong

Phil Fjastad

Imports

Jason Baclig (import)

Matt Armstrong (import)

Mike Thorburn  (import)

Martin Kutek  (import)

TBA (import)

TBA (import)

Melbourne Ice would like to congratulate the players who have successfully made the roster and thank every player who tried out.  The Academy Roster will be finalised later this week.

Photos by David Leong