- Courtney Kynaston-Dodd
Australian Ice Hockey Coach of the Year Returns to Newcastle
The Newcastle Northstars welcome back 2022 Australian Ice Hockey League Coach of the Year, Kevin Noble, as the Head Coach for the 2023 season.
"It's excellent to be back on the team and have another chance to return to the finals. There's a lot of unfinished business within the group, and we are really keen and hungry to get back to the finals this year.", Kevin said.
"As a coach [we're looking at] the development of the players individually, both on and off the ice. The range of experience across our team allowed us to create so much depth, and the mentoring from our seasoned, experienced players to our younger group allowed their game to mature a lot last season, helping lead them to become a bigger part of the team."
2023 will see the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) expand to 10 teams, with great excitement for the return of Adelaide and Perth to the competition and welcoming both the Brisbane and Central Coast teams into the fold.
The importance of adding these teams isn't lost on the Northstars Head Coach, and he expects greater reach of ice hockey across Australia as a result.
"There has been exceptional growth with increasing to 10 teams, and it's exciting to see the sport gain more national notoriety. There are only good things that can come from the growth, and it's excellent to see the progress that is happening."
"Growth like this also brings international attention, making our league a bigger draw for international imports, and in turn helps our local talent grow and develop."
The Newcastle Northstars will start their 2023 home games with a pre-season game against the Central Coast Rhinos at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday, 2 April, at 4pm. Tickets are available online now at www.northstars.thundertix.com.
