Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

June 2010 Newsletter

From the President

We’re well into the depths of the 2010 season, and often it’s warmer on the ice than outside the rink. Southern tournaments have only one or two rounds to go, rep teams are busy training and playing, and Thunder wind up the last games of the first half of their season this weekend in Auckland.

Most club hockey takes a break over the next couple of weeks with university and school holidays, see below for when things start and finish.

Rep Teams

Congratulations to all the club members who have been selected to Southern rep teams for this season:

Peewee (U13): Alex McMillan, Hadley Johnston, Callum McLaren, Daniel Robertson, Kris Smith, Sam Barclay & Seamus Leahy.

Midget (U16): Geordie Wheeler, Ben Roth, Nick Patchett, Mitchell Keenan, Xavier Wood, Jacob Hurring, Joe Orr, Justin Stevenson, Josh Hubbard & Jaimee Wood.

Juniors held trials in Queenstown over the weekend, and women are hopefully finalising their squad soon.

Congrats to all the players selected, it is a large commitment to the sport and the large numbers from Dunedin show the strength of our club in producing quality ice hockey players.

Southern League Results

Dunedin Peewees continue to be unbeaten through three tournaments this season, but had to come from 5-3 behind in the final period to beat Queenstown in Alexandra. Midgets have finished four tournaments, and look like finishing the season in first place after two solid wins over Queenstown.

Owe money to the club?

The club has had to follow up reminders of players owing money to the club with threats to exclude players from all ice. This has had the desired effect of getting players and their families to pay the bills. We’d ask all members to pay their bills before they take to the ice for practices and leagues.

From the Rink

There have been a spate of thefts from cars outside the rink recently. While the thieves have been caught, you are reminded not to bring anything to the rink that you don’t need to bring. Unfortunately changing rooms are not a safe place to leave cell phones, wallets etc.

Secondly, a reminder that playing with sticks and pucks in any of the viewing areas is not allowed. Sticks should be taken down to the changing rooms. If you wish to play with pucks please use the shooting gallery under the concrete stand.

Coming Up:

A reminder that club members can always get an up-to-date schedule of all practices and games by going to the club web site (www.dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi) and looking at the calendar on the right hand side. This is kept up-to-date as practices or games are added and draws released.

Club members can also become a fan of Dunedin Ice Hockey on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunedin-Ice-Hockey/130911841735

Upcoming Holiday Break

There is no club night games again until August, due to holidays and then Thunder games.

Peewees: last practice Thursday 1 July. Next practice Tuesday 20 July. Youth invitational tournament 4 July in Dunedin. Peewee Tournament 11 July in Naseby.

Bantams: last practice Thursday 1 July. Next practice Thursday 22 July. Youth invitational tournament 4 July in Dunedin.

Midgets: last practice Thursday 1 July. Next practice Thursday 22 July. Midget tournament 24 July in Alexandra.

SNC: last practice last Thursday (no practice this week). Next practice Thursday 15 July.

Adult Beginners: last practice last Sunday (no practice this week). Next practice 11 July.

Girls/Womens Beginners: Last practice this Sunday 4 July. More practices to be discussed after considering the first five.

U13 Development Camp

The club is hosting 25 kids from across the region next week for a week long development camp, which also functions as the primary buildup to the nationals for the U13 team. Anyone who wants to help on or off ice email Kyle on president@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi.

B Checking League

The club is running a B checking league for the second season. This league is for juniors, seniors on the fringes of, or not getting enough ice time in Thunder, or other players who wish to play checking without playing against top players. To register for the league, log into clubhub (https://www.clubhubssl.com/hubsystem/index.php?&fuseaction=login.login&callclub=DIHA), go to Tasks: Purchase Subsequent Fee. Change ‘B Checking League’ to 1 and click continue.

The league will run for 6 weeks, the first week will be a trial game to ensure team balance. For more information contact Callan McLaughlin on Macca18@xtra.co.nz.

Erewhon Cup

Two Dunedin teams will be entering in this competition, which is being held in Tekapo this season. Best of luck, we look forward to the trophy leaving Queenstown soon!

Oldtimers League

Oldtimers have been enjoying their hockey so much (or perhaps the after game drinks) that they’ve extended their season two more weeks. They’ll play again on Tuesday 6th at 7.30pm, and Tuesday 13th at 6pm. Pay Kim for the extra games.

Dunedin Ice Hockey League

The club’s end of year social league will kick off in September, with an A and B grade. If anyone wants to assist with organising either grade, please get in touch.

Dunedin Thunder News

Thunder have kicked off their season with three solid wins, two of them in overtime. It’s great to see the team firing this season and a credit to the players, coaches, and off-ice team. They travel up to Auckland this weekend to play the Swarm, next home games are end of July and first weekend of August.

New Club Tops/Socks

Most members should now have their new tops and socks in the new club colours. Some players have had them printed but we haven’t had a chance to catch up with them to hand them out. We are still waiting on smaller sizes to arrive for some of the kids, apologies for the delay on these. Anyone who finds that their socks don’t fit can swap them for a different size.