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New Zealand Ice Hockey League

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New Zealand Ice Hockey League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023 NZIHL season
SportIce hockey
Founded2005 (19 years ago) (2005)
CEOAndreas Kaisser
PresidentAndy Mills
No. of teams6
Country New Zealand
ConfederationNZIHF
Most recent
champion(s)		SkyCity Stampede
(8th title)
Most titlesSkyCity Stampede
(8 titles)
TV partner(s)YouTube
Official websitewww.nzihl.com

The New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) is New Zealand's top-level ice hockey league. Established in 2005 by Guenther Birgel, the NZIHL is sanctioned by New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation (a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation). The NZIHL is an amateur league with players not paid to play. The NZIHL champion is awarded the Birgel Cup. The NZIHL is currently contested by six teams from three affiliated regions, including three teams from the North Island and three teams from the South Island. The most successful team in NZIHL history is the SkyCity Stampede, who have claimed eight NZIHL championships. The current champion, from 2023, is the SkyCity Stampede.

History

[edit]

The New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) was formed in 2005 to develop the sport of ice hockey in New Zealand by Guenther Birgel, and to give the top players in the country regular competitive hockey to improve the skill level of the game domestically and make New Zealand more competitive on the international stage.[1] The league was setup with restrictions on import players (players born outside of New Zealand and Australia) to assist in the promotion of local players to help achieve its founding goals. Scheduling for NZIHL would fit into the Northern Hemisphere's ice hockey offseason, to enable a small amount of quality import players to help grow the sport and teach local players. The league was founded with four teams that included the Canterbury Red Devils, West Auckland Admirals, Southern Stampede and South Auckland Swarm.[2]

The first ever game of the NZIHL in the inaugural 2005 season, was played on 3 June 2005 at Paradice Botany Downs, Auckland. The game saw hosts, West Auckland Admirals, defeat the visiting Canterbury Red Devils 5–2, with all goals coming in the third period after blank first and second periods.[3]

The maiden season ran for four rounds and twelve games followed by a best of three finals series in Dunedin. Southern Stampede finished top of the regular season standings, claiming the league premiership. The Stampede were joined by the Admirals in the finals series. Southern Stampede were crowned NZIHL champions and lifted the maiden NZIHL Trophy with a 2–0 clean sweep of the finals series. Simon Glass, from the Stampede, finished as the league's first top points scorer with 14 points and took out the league MVP award. Steven Reid, also of the Stampede, was named Finals MVP.[3]

Prior to 2007 season, the South Auckland Swarm changed its name to the Botany Swarm in order to differentiate themselves with a more unique name from the West Auckland Admirals. Previously there had been confusion around the similar names. Botany was chosen as the Swarm's home rink is located in the Auckland suburb of Botany Downs.[2]

In 2008, the league expanded for the first time and added a fifth team. The Dunedin Thunder joined the league as a second team from Otago, creating the first South Island derby in the league along with the Southern Stampede. The Stampede relocated to Queenstown leaving the Thunder to build its supporter base in Dunedin.[4]

For the 2010 season, the league announced a change to the NZIHL championship trophy. The NZIHL trophy was retired and the league introduced the Birgel Cup to be handed to the league champion who wins the NZIHL Finals.[2]

Teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Current teams in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.
New Zealand Ice Hockey League
Team Colours City Arena Capacity Founded Joined Former names Notes Championships Runners-up Premierships
Auckland Mako     Auckland Paradice Avondale & Paradice Botany Downs 500 & 400 2021 2021 expansion
Botany Swarm     Auckland Paradice Botany Downs 400 2005 South Auckland Swarm Founding team 4 2 3
Canterbury Red Devils     Christchurch Christchurch Alpine Ice Centre 700 2005 Founding team 4 4 4
Phoenix Thunder     Dunedin Dunedin Dunedin Ice Stadium 1,850 2008 Dunedin Thunder 2008 expansion 2 1
Skycity Stampede     Otago Queenstown Queenstown Ice Arena 642 2005 Southern Stampede Founding team 8 3 8
West Auckland Admirals     Auckland Auckland Paradice Avondale 500 2005 Founding team 1 5 1

Foundation clubs

[edit]

The NZIHL had four foundation clubs, Canterbury Red Devils, West Auckland Admirals, Southern Stampede and South Auckland Swarm.[2] These four teams covered three of four affiliated regions that make up the New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation, this being Auckland, Canterbury and Southern.[5]

Expansion

[edit]

In 2008, the first expansion of the NZIHL took place. Dunedin Thunder was founded and admitted into the league.[4] With the Thunder entering the league and basing itself in Dunedin, the Southern Stampede, who has been based in Dunedin, moved to Queenstown.[4] In 2021, the NZIHL expanded for a second time by admitted a third Auckland based team into the league. Auckland Mako joined the league after being established in the same year as a youth development team following IIHF competition cancellations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] Mako split home games between Paradice Avondale and Paradice Botany.[6]

Future expansion

[edit]

Future expansion of the NZIHL is limited due to small number of ice rink facilities across the country. There is ongoing discussions regarding construction of new ice facilities in different parts of New Zealand. If any new facility is built, expansion of the NZIHL is likely. Despite having a regional association with the Federation, Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, does not have any ice sports facilities. This has meant the third largest city in the country is not represented in the NZIHL. In 2011, it was reported that the local Wellington City Council was considering options for building a permanent ice rink facility, while they agreed to a privately paid for temporary rink to be constructed on Wellington's waterfront at Queens Wharf to attract Rugby World Cup fans and holidaying school children for the Wintergarden event.[7] In 2015, the Wellington Regional Multi-Purpose Sports and Recreational Ice Arena Trust was incorporated with a view of planning, constructing and operating a 2,500 seat ice sports facility in the Wellington region. The project was estimated to cost $11 million, with the Trust looking to sign an agreement with the Wellington City Council for the land and then raise funding for the project through donations, fundraising and loans.[8] However, as of 2023, no proposed ice rink project has been completed in Wellington despite the popularity of the temporary ice rinks in the city over the years.[9][10]

New Zealand-Australia interaction

[edit]

With the NZIHL quality improving over the years, there has been talk of creating a combined Oceania competition that would see the New Zealand league merge with the Australian league, Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). In 2011 the AIHL Chairman Tyler Lovering confirmed talks had taken place with NZIHL General Manager Gunther Birgel regarding the prospect of New Zealand based teams joining the AIHL within the next three years.[11]

While no combined league has been subsequently established yet, in 2011 the Australian and New Zealand leagues did agree to set-up the Trans-Tasman Champions League.[11] The Champions League would see the top two teams from each league qualify and compete in a tournament to be crowned Trans-Tasman champions.[12] The first and only edition of the Champions League was played in Melbourne in 2012 with Botany Swarm, Southern Stampede, Newcastle North Stars and Melbourne Ice competing. The NZIHL teams failed to win a game in the tournament, and while the second edition was scheduled to be played in Queenstown in 2013, the tournament was cancelled and never contested again.[12]

Instead, the federations for Australia and New Zealand ice hockey favoured setting up more regular international series between the two countries, with the New Zealand Winter Games identified as a platform for the two national teams to come together and face-off regularly. The two nations have played together in series at the 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019 New Zealand Winter Games.[13]

In 2022, a new Australian based league was announced named the Pacific Hockey League (PHL).[14] This new league identified expansion into New Zealand from its outset to create an Oceanian league connecting Australia and New Zealand. Rather than try and come to an agreement with the NZIHL and its member clubs, the PHL decided to establish a new team in Queenstown named the Queenstown Rush in 2022.[15] It was intended that this new team would join the league in 2023, allowing sufficient lead time for the Rush to establish itself properly and get ready for competition. However, the Rush never got the opportunity to take part in the PHL, when in early 2023, the league announced it was ceasing operations.[16]

Also in 2022, the Australian and New Zealand federations jointly announced a new concept of an All-Star match between the winners of the AIHL and NZIHL.[17] It was the first time since the Champions League in 2012 that there was the prospect of the two leagues interacting with each other. The game would be scheduled after the completion of both league seasons in 2022.[17] However, the all-star game concept was shelved and instead a new international series between Australia and New Zealand was announced in its place. The first series was played in Melbourne in October 2022 and the second series was played in Queenstown in March 2023.[18][19]

Season structure and rules

[edit]

As per 2022.[20][21]

Regular season

[edit]

The NZIHL regular season is typically played between May and September each year. The regular season consists of 40 games in total, with each of the main five teams playing 16 games in a home and away round-robin season structure. Each team plays each other team four times, two at home and two away. The sixth team, Auckland Mako, are a U23 development team who play less games than the other five teams due to the varied nature of the team’s roster. Mako plays between four and ten games a season and are ineligible for the NZIHL finals. Because of this, Mako’s games do not count towards the NZIHL standings and player statistics are recorder separately from the rest of the league. The NZIHL regular season points system, follows similar systems widely used in Europe and Australian ice hockey leagues. 3 points is awarded for a regulation time win, 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss and 0 points for a regulation time loss. In the unlikely event of a draw, both teams will be awarded 1 point each.[20]

Game rules and governance

[edit]

All games and NZIHL events are to be played in accordance to the rules set out in the NZIHL events manual, followed by the International Ice Hockey Federation Rule Book.[20] The NZIHL has adopted the international standard three 20-minute stop-time regulation period length for all regular season and finals games. All regular season and finals overtime periods are five minutes long with golden goal rules (first to score wins). Where possible with ice rink facilities, and upon prior decision by the NZIHL General Manager, the three grand final games will implement a 3 on 3 single 20 minute overtime period followed by a shootout.[20] Governance for the events manual falls to the NZIHL executive, headed by the General Manager (GM), and oversighted by the New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation (NZIHF) Management Committee. The NZIHL executive meet regularly with the NZIHF Management Committee, participate in NZIHF AGMs, prepare yearly budgets and write annual reports. All three NZIHF affiliated regions with NZIHL teams are evenly represented.[20]

Roster & import rules

[edit]

There are no maximum roster limits in the NZIHL. Players must be 16 years or older and registered with their regional association to play in the NZIHL. Female players are eligible to play as goaltenders. Mid-season player transfers between NZIHL teams are prohibited unless given special dispensation by the NZIHL General Manager. NZIHL players are broken up into two categories, regional players (New Zealand or Australian citizens) and import players (a citizen of any other country). This categorisation was updated in 2022 and replaced the old three category system of NZ player, naturalised player and import player, used prior to 2022. Import players and Australian citizens must have a cleared international transfer card (ITC) in order to be eligible to play an NZIHL game. There are no limits on the number of import players allowed on a team's roster, however there is a limit on the number of import players teams are allowed to dress for a game. As of 2022, four import players from each team (eight in total) are allowed to dress for any one game, with import goaltenders counting as two import players. The NZIHL covers the traveling costs of traveling teams up to 15 skaters, two goaltenders and five staff (22 in total). Any additional traveling players or staff need to be financial covered by the teams themselves.[20]

Category Eligibility and requirements
Regional player
All New Zealand or Australian citizens. Australian citizens require an approved international transfer card (ITC).
Import player
Anyone who does not qualify as a regional player. Must obtain an approved ITC with all IIHF fees paid.

Player status

[edit]

Players in the NZIHL are amateur and are not paid to play. NZIHL teams are however allowed to assist with associated costs for players to play in the NZIHL, including: airfares, accommodation, transportation, food, international transfer card fees, registration fees, ice time fees, playing fees and equipment support. In addition, players may be paid reasonable rates for coaching ice hockey, with the rate no more than would be reasonable within the market for the services provided.[20]

Playoffs

[edit]

Playoffs in the NZIHL are called the Finals. The finals are played over two weekends with a best of 2 game semi-final series followed by a best of 3 game grand finals series. The top three teams from the regular season qualify for the finals. The top placed team qualifies automatically for the grand final series. The second and third placed teams qualify for the semi-final series. The winner of the semi-final series advances to the grand final series. The top placed team hosts the grand final series at their home venue. The second placed team hosts the semi-finals series at their home venue.[20]

Previous season structures

[edit]

Previously, the NZIHL has had a number of different season structures since foundation in 2005.

League champions and premiers

[edit]

NZIHL champions and premiers by seasons (2005–present)

[edit]
Season-by-season Championships and Premierships
Year NZIHL Championships NZIHL Premierships
1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions Score(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Finalists Venue(s) Premiers Runners-up
2005 Southern Stampede 2–1, 6–3 West Auckland Admirals Dunedin Southern Stampede West Auckland Admirals
2006 Southern Stampede 3–3, 5–4 South Auckland Swarm Botany Downs South Auckland Swarm Southern Stampede
2007 Botany Swarm 7–0 Canterbury Red Devils Christchurch Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm
2008 Botany Swarm 3–2 Canterbury Red Devils Christchurch Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm
2009 Canterbury Red Devils 5–4 Southern Stampede Christchurch Canterbury Red Devils Southern Stampede
2010 Botany Swarm 3–1 West Auckland Admirals Botany Downs Botany Swarm West Auckland Admirals
2011 Botany Swarm 5–3 Southern Stampede Botany Downs Botany Swarm Southern Stampede
2012 Canterbury Red Devils 6–5 (SO) Southern Stampede Queenstown Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils
2013 Canterbury Red Devils 7–3 Dunedin Thunder Dunedin Dunedin Thunder Canterbury Red Devils
2014 Canterbury Red Devils 4–3, 14–6 Dunedin Thunder Dunedin, Christchurch Canterbury Red Devils Dunedin Thunder
2015 Southern Stampede 3–5, 4–3, 4–3 Canterbury Red Devils Christchurch, Queenstown Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils
2016 Skycity Stampede 6–2, 7–1 Canterbury Red Devils Christchurch, Queenstown Skycity Stampede Canterbury Red Devils
2017 Skycity Stampede 5–2, 5–2 West Auckland Admirals Avondale, Queenstown Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals
2018 West Auckland Admirals 5–4 (OT), 2–1 Skycity Stampede Avondale, Queenstown Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals
2019 Skycity Stampede 8–4, 6–2 West Auckland Admirals Avondale, Queenstown Skycity Stampede Botany Swarm
2020–21 seasons cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Birgel Cup was not awarded.
Skycity Stampede and West Auckland Admirals won Northern and Southern Showdown tournaments in 2020.
2022 Skycity Stampede 4–3, 2–1 West Auckland Admirals Avondale West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede
2023 Skycity Stampede 6–5, 5–2 Botany Swarm Queenstown Skycity Stampede Botany Swarm

NZIHL champions all-time record

[edit]
All-time Championships
Team # Titles Years
Botany Swarm
4
 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
Canterbury Red Devils
4
 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014
SkyCity Stampede
8
 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023
West Auckland Admirals
1
 2018

League trophies

[edit]

Birgel Cup

[edit]

The Birgel cup is the principle trophy in New Zealand ice hockey named after Gunther Birgel, founder of NZ ice hockey league . It is the NZIHL championship trophy and was first awarded in 2010, when it replaced the original NZIHL Trophy. The Birgel Cup is given to the winner of the NZIHL Finals series at the conclusion of the NZIHL season.[2]

Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio

[edit]

The Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio challenge trophy (TKRT) was introduced in the 2012 season. The Māori trophy name translates to "champions of the ice battlefield" and was designed and built by Wellington craftsman Mark Newnham. The premise of the trophy is loosely based on the Ranfurly Shield challenge system. The TKRT is contested during each NZIHL regular season. The current holders of the Riri Tio must defend the trophy on home ice in the second game of each round. The Auckland Mako are not entitled to challenge for the trophy and the TKRT was not challenged in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

Year Holder Challenger Winner Score Venue
2012 Dunedin Thunder West Auckland Admirals West Auckland Admirals 4–7 Dunedin
2012 West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils Canterbury Red Devils 6–7 Avondale, Auckland
2012 Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils 7–5 Christchurch
2012 Canterbury Red Devils Dunedin Thunder Canterbury Red Devils 9–4 Christchurch
2012 Canterbury Red Devils Southern Stampede Southern Stampede 2–6 Christchurch
2013 Southern Stampede West Auckland Admirals Southern Stampede 6–5 Queenstown
2013 Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils Canterbury Red Devils 5–6 (OT) Queenstown
2013 Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils 12–2 Christchurch
2013 Canterbury Red Devils Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils 3–1 Christchurch
2014 Canterbury Red Devils Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils 4–2 Christchurch
2014 Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils 8–6 Christchurch
2014 Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm Botany Swarm 3–4 (SO) Christchurch
2014 Botany Swarm Canterbury Red Devils Canterbury Red Devils 1–5 Botany Downs, Auckland
2014 Canterbury Red Devils Dunedin Thunder Canterbury Red Devils 6–0 Christchurch
2015 Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils 7–6 Christchurch
2015 Canterbury Red Devils Southern Stampede Canterbury Red Devils 4–3 (OT) Christchurch
2015 Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm Botany Swarm 4–5 (OT) Christchurch
2015 Botany Swarm West Auckland Admirals West Auckland Admirals 2–3 (OT) Botany Downs, Auckland
2016 West Auckland Admirals Botany Swarm Botany Swarm 4–5 (OT) Avondale, Auckland
2016 Botany Swarm Canterbury Red Devils Canterbury Red Devils 3–4 Botany Downs, Auckland
2016 Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals West Auckland Admirals 3–7 Christchurch
2016 West Auckland Admirals Dunedin Thunder West Auckland Admirals 8–2 Avondale, Auckland
2016 West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals 5–3 Avondale, Auckland
2017 West Auckland Admirals Botany Swarm West Auckland Admirals 14–0 Avondale, Auckland
2017 West Auckland Admirals Canterbury Red Devils West Auckland Admirals 8–2 Avondale, Auckland
2017 West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede Skycity Stampede 3–5 Avondale, Auckland
2017 Skycity Stampede Dunedin Thunder Skycity Stampede 6–2 Queenstown
2017 Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede 5–3 Queenstown
2018 Skycity Stampede Dunedin Thunder Dunedin Thunder 3–4 Queenstown
2018 Dunedin Thunder Canterbury Red Devils Dunedin Thunder 6–1 Dunedin
2018 Dunedin Thunder Skycity Stampede Skycity Stampede 4–5 Dunedin
2019 Skycity Stampede Dunedin Thunder Skycity Stampede 6–2 Queenstown
2019 Skycity Stampede Botany Swarm Skycity Stampede 4–2 Queenstown
2019 Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede 3–2 Queenstown
2019 Skycity Stampede Canterbury Red Devils Skycity Stampede 7–2 Queenstown
Not contested in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Skycity Stampede Canterbury Red Devils Skycity Stampede 10–2 Queenstown
2021 Skycity Stampede West Auckland Admirals Skycity Stampede 4–3 Queenstown
2021 Skycity Stampede Phoenix Thunder Skycity Stampede 6–0 Queenstown
2022 Skycity Stampede Phoenix Thunder Skycity Stampede 6–2 Queenstown
2022 Skycity Stampede Botany Swarm Skycity Stampede 4–0 Queenstown
2022 Skycity Stampede Canterbury Red Devils Canterbury Red Devils 3–4 Queenstown
2022 Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm Canterbury Red Devils 7–3 Christchurch
2023 Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm Botany Swarm 3–4 Christchurch
2023 Botany Swarm Canterbury Red Devils Botany Swarm 4–0 Botany Downs, Auckland
2023 Botany Swarm Skycity Stampede Botany Swarm 6–3 Botany Downs, Auckland
2023 Botany Swarm West Auckland Admirals Botany Swarm 6–4 Botany Downs, Auckland
2024 Botany Swarm Phoenix Thunder Botany Swarm 6–4 Botany Downs, Auckland
2024 Botany Swarm Skycity Stampede TBD TBD Botany Downs, Auckland
End of season holder

Former trophies

[edit]
NZIHL Trophy
[edit]

The NZIHL Trophy was the original championship trophy for the NZIHL. It was awarded five times between 2005 and 2009 before being replaced by the Birgel Cup. The Southern Stampede and Botany Swarm lifted the NZIHL trophy an equal record times, winning the trophy twice each. Canterbury Red Devils was the only other team to lift the trophy, winning the final trophy in 2009.[2]

Glass Family Shield
[edit]

The Glass Family Shield was awarded annually to the winner of the Skate Of Origin series between its inception in 2009 and conclusion in 2016.[24] The shield was named after the South Island Glass family who were leaders and builder of the sport of ice hockey within New Zealand over the course of three generations. Ben Glass is a founding member of the NZIHF and patron of the Southern Ice Hockey League (SIHL). Graeme Glass is the past president of the NZIHF and inducted life member. While Simon Glass, Ben Lewis & Hamish Lewis have all previously represented New Zealand at international level with the Ice Blacks, with Simon also captaining the national team. In addition, Annabelle Lewis also represented the New Zealand women's national team, the Ice Fernz.

Skate Of Origin was introduced in 2009 and ran from 2009 to 2016. The series was used as an All-star game and often a national team selection process. The format saw the best players eligible to represent New Zealand at an international level play for the respective island on which they played their junior hockey. Players represented one of the two major islands of the New Zealand archipelago, namely the North Island or the South Island.[24] The host of the Origin alternated each season with the North Island hosting the inaugural Skate of Origin at Paradice Botany Downs. Throughout the history of the Origin, the North Island won the series and lifted the Glass Family Shield five times compared to the South Island's three times.

Year Holder Challenger Winner Score Host
2009 N/A N/A North Island 6–5 (SO) Botany Downs, North Island
2010 North Island South Island North Island 3–2 Queenstown, South Island
2011 North Island South Island North Island 8–6 Botany Downs, North Island
2012 North Island South Island South Island 5–3 Christchurch, South Island
2013 South Island North Island South Island 6–5 Botany Downs, North Island
2014 South Island North Island South Island 6–4 Dunedin, South Island
2015 South Island North Island North Island 9–7 Queenstown, South Island
2016 North Island South Island North Island 2–1 (SO) Avondale, North Island
Trans-Tasman Trophy
[edit]

The Trans-Tasman Trophy was the championship trophy for the winner of the Trans-Tasman Champions League (TTCL). Established in 2012 as a joint venture between the New Zealand Ice Hockey League and the Australian Ice Hockey League, the TTCL was created to expand relations, cooperation and competition between the top ice hockey leagues of Australia and New Zealand. The TTCL was designed to be an annual event played over a single weekend with the host alternating between New Zealand and Australia. The champions and premiers of both the NZIHL and AIHL would qualify for the Champions League and would play each team from the other league twice over the weekend. The first, and so far only edition, of the Trans-Tasman Champions League, saw the NZIHL send the Botany Swarm and Southern Stampede to travel to Melbourne to contest the Champions League for the right to lift the Trans-Tasman Trophy. AIHL team, Melbourne Ice won the 2012 TTCL, with the NZIHL teams failing to win a game.[11]

In 2013, the second edition of the tournament was intended to be played in New Zealand but costs prevented the AIHL sending any teams and the Champions League was cancelled.[12] In 2016, there was discussions to revive the TTCL with the champions of the NZIHL and AIHL playing in a 3 game series in New Zealand, but the NZIHF and IHA decided an international series between the Ice Blacks and Mighty Roos would be better, with a view to return to the Trans-Tasman Champions League and Trans-Tasman Trophy sometime in the future.[13]

Year Winner Runner-up Other competitors Host
2012 Melbourne Ice Newcastle North Stars Botany Swarm, Southern Stampede Melbourne, Australia

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "New Zealand Ice Hockey League". New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Swinkels, Logan. "NZIHL Media Guide 2018" (PDF). New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b "2005 New Zealand Ice Hockey League". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Bode, Jenel (3 June 2008). "Dunedin Thunder News Release" (PDF). Dunedin Thunder. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  5. ^ "NZIHF Regional Members". New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b "NZIHL expands to include Auckland Mako Under-23 team". nzsportswire.com. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ Nichols, Lane (27 September 2011). "Work starts on Wellington ice rink". stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  8. ^ Chapman, Katie (2 July 2015). "Wellington trust plans to build a permanent ice skating rink". stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Wellingtonian editorial: City on ice-skating map". stuff.co.nz. 20 October 2011. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ^ Moir, Jo (21 March 2013). "Ice rink returns to Queen's Wharf". stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Trans-Tasman Champions League to be launched in 2012". Australian Ice Hockey League. 4 September 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Lata, Alex (28 February 2013). "Trans-Tasman Champions League Postponed". Australia Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Three test Trans-Tasman Challenge Ice Hockey series between the New Zealand Ice Blacks and Australia's Mighty Roos returns to Queenstown and Winter Games NZ". Global Travel Media. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  14. ^ Collins, Lee (9 February 2022). "Pacific Hockey League to begin in 2022". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  15. ^ Collins, Lee (1 March 2022). "Pacific Hockey League announces teams". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  16. ^ Collins, Lee (14 December 2022). "Pacific Hockey League folds after one season". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Strategic partnership: Ice Hockey Australia & New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation". Ice Hockey Australia. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  18. ^ Collins, Lee (17 August 2022). "Australian men's team to host New Zealand in three-game series". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  19. ^ Collins, Lee (23 January 2023). "Australian men's team to play three-game series in New Zealand". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h McIntyre, Carl (18 April 2022). "New Zealand Ice Hockey League Events Manual 2022". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  21. ^ "New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation Policies & Documents". New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  22. ^ "2018 season sees a change in playoff format". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. 8 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio Staying In Queenstown". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  24. ^ a b Newman, Scott (21 September 2009). "NZIHL All Star Game 2009". voxy.co.nz. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
[edit]
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