2016 CBR Brave season

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
League4th AIHL
2016 record15–2–2–9
Home record9–0–1–4
Road record6–2–1–5
Goals for129
Goals against117
Team information
CoachUnited States Josh Unice
Canada Art Bidlevskii (Interim head coach)
Assistant coachUnited States David Rogina
CaptainAustralia Jordan Gavin
Alternate captainsUnited States Ryan Johnson
Australia Kai Miettinen
ArenaPhillip Ice Skating Centre
Team leaders
GoalsCanada Stephen Blunden (20)
Canada Geordie Wudrick
AssistsAustralia Casey Kubara (33)
PointsCanada Geordie Wudrick (50)
Penalty minutesAustralia Harrison Byers (108)
Goals against averageAustralia Alex Tetreault (4.72)

News

In 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 due to 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

Team roster for the 2016 AIHL season[16]

2016 AIHL CBR Brave Roster
#NatNamePosS/GAgeAcquiredBirthplace
4CanadaArt BidlevskiiDR252016Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
73CanadaStephen BlundenLWL272014Gloucester, Ontario, Canada
10AustraliaZachary BoyleDL202016Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
8SwitzerlandNicola BrandiLWR222016Wetzikon, Hinwil, Switzerland
21AustraliaJordan BruntFL162015Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
22AustraliaHarrison ByersCR232014Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
17AustraliaJames ByersDR222014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
23AustraliaTimothy CoxDR28–292016Australia
38AustraliaNickolas EckhardtGL262014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
19AustraliaJordan Gavin (C)FR33–342014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
14AustraliaMatt GilpinFR202016Queensland, Australia
2CanadaMathieu GuertinLWL242016Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
86New ZealandMatthew HarveyDR302014Calgary, Alberta, Canada
18AustraliaMitchell HenningFR182016Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3United StatesRyan Johnson (A)FR41–422014Amesbury, Massachusetts, United States
15AustraliaCasey KubaraRWR202016Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia
16AustraliaTyler KubaraFR212015Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia
77AustraliaTom LetkiFR272014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
28AustraliaMatti LoumaRWR362016Helsinki, Finland
64AustraliaKai Miettinen (A)FL202014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
27AustraliaLuke MooreDR202016Belfast, United Kingdom
13AustraliaLuke PhilpsFR332016Australia
9CanadaNeal ProkopCL262016Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
12AustraliaMark RummukainenDR342014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
24Czech RepublicJan SafarDR292016Praha, Czech Republic
20AustraliaAlexandre TetreaultGL182015Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5AustraliaAleksi ToivonenGL202015Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
88CanadaGeordie WudrickLWL262016Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Transfers

All the player transfers in and out by the CBR Brave for the 2016 AIHL season.

In
Pos Player Transferred From Local / Import
DCanada Art BidlevskiiSweden Kallinge-Ronneby IFImport
DAustralia Zachary BoyleAustralia Adelaide AdrenalineLocal
WSwitzerland Nicola BrandiSwitzerland SC Rapperswil-Jona LakersImport
DAustralia Timothy CoxNo teamLocal
FAustralia Matt GilpinNo teamLocal
WCanada Mathieu GuertinCanada Trois-Rivières BlizzardImport
FAustralia Mitchell HenningNo teamLocal
WAustralia Casey KubaraUnited States Atlanta Jr. KnightsLocal
WAustralia Matti LuomaNo teamLocal
DAustralia Luke MooreNo team]Local
FAustralia Luke PhilpsNo teamLocal
CCanada Neal ProkopNo teamImport
DCzech Republic Jan SafarAustralia Newcastle North StarsImport
WCanada Geordie WudrickAustralia Newcastle North StarsImport

Out
Pos Player Transferred To Local / Import
DAustralia Aaron ClayworthNo teamLocal
D/FAustralia David DunwoodieAustralia Sydney Ice DogsLocal
WCanada Kelly GeoffreyFrance Aigles de La Roche sur YonImport
D/FCanada Mike GiorgiNo teamImport
FAustralia David LewisNo teamLocal
FAustralia Jayden LewisNo teamLocal
DAustralia Tomas MancoAustralia Sydney Ice DogsLocal
DCanada Kyle MarianiFrance Bouquetins de Val VanoiseImport
DAustralia Ben PagettNo teamLocal
CCanada Jordan PeddleCanada Terrace River KingsImport
CCanada Scott PittScotland Braehead ClanImport
FAustralia Alain RiesenNo teamLocal
D/FAustralia Peter TaylorNo teamLocal
GUnited States Josh UniceAustralia CBR Brave (head coach)Import
GAustralia Stuart WoodallNo teamLocal

Staff

Staff Roster for 2016 AIHL season[17]

2016 AIHL CBR Brave Staff
RoleStaff
Head coachUnited States Josh Unice
Assistant coachUnited States David Rogina
Assistant coachCanada Art Bidlevskii
Strength and conditioning coachAustralia Stuart Philps
PhysiotherapistAustralia Sportstec
Equipment managerAustralia Adrian Miller
Bench officialAustralia Darren Sault
Bench officialAustralia Kelly Sault

Standings

Regular season

Summary

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
20162815922129117+12514th1494017056+141465215961-2

Position by round

Round1234567891011121314151617
Position11244443444434434
Updated to match(es) played on Completed. Source: www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com

League table

Team GP W SOW SOL L GF GA GDF PTS
Melbourne Ice281933312771+5666
Perth Thunder28164179673+2357
Newcastle North Stars281515710574+3152
CBR Brave2815229129117+1251
Melbourne Mustangs2811201589102−1337
Sydney Bears28553157795−1828
Sydney Ice Dogs287111992139−4724
Adelaide Adrenaline285141883127−4421
Qualified for the Goodall Cup playoffs H Newman Reid Trophy winners

Source

Finals

Summary

Season Finals weekend
P W L GF GA Result Semi-final Goodall Cup final
201621155Runners-upWon 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

Regular season
Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
ArenaHAAAHAHHAHHAAHHHAAAHHHAHHAAA
ResultWWWLLWLLLWWLLWWLWLWWWWWLWWWL
Updated to match(es) played on Completed. Source: AIHL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; L = Loss
2016 fixtures and results
Date Time Away Score Home Location Recap
23 April17:00Sydney Ice Dogs2–5CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
24 April17:00CBR Brave6–3Sydney BearsPenrith Ice Palace
30 April17:00CBR Brave4–2Melbourne MustangsO'Brien Group Arena
1 May16:00CBR Brave1–7Melbourne MustangsO'Brien Group Arena
7 May17:00Sydney Bears3 – 2 (SO)CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
8 May17:00CBR Brave4 – 3 (SO)Newcastle North StarsHunter Ice Skating Stadium
14 May17:30Perth Thunder6–2CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
15 May17:00Perth Thunder7–6CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
22 May17:00CBR Brave2–7Newcastle North StarsHunter Ice Skating Stadium
28 May17:30Newcastle North Stars3–5CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
29 May17:00Sydney Bears4–6CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
4 June17:00CBR Brave5–7Melbourne IceO'Brien Group Arena
5 June16:00CBR Brave3–6Melbourne IceO'Brien Group Arena
18 June17:30Melbourne Mustangs2–5CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
19 June17:00Melbourne Mustangs1–4CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
2 July17:30Newcastle North Stars3–1CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
3 July17:00CBR Brave6–1Sydney Ice DogsLiverpool Catholic Club Ice Rink
9 July16:30CBR Brave3 – 4 (SO)Perth ThunderPerth Ice Arena
10 July16:30CBR Brave4–2Perth ThunderPerth Ice Arena
16 July17:30Sydney Ice Dogs5–6CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
23 July17:30Adelaide Adrenaline2–7CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
24 July17:00Adelaide Adrenaline5–8CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
31 July17:00CBR Brave6–4Sydney BearsPenrith Ice Palace
6 August17:30Melbourne Ice10–9CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
7 August17:00Melbourne Ice3–4CBR BravePhillip Ice Skating Centre
13 August16:30CBR Brave5 – 4 (SO)Adelaide AdrenalineAdelaide Ice Arena
14 August16:00CBR Brave6–5Adelaide AdrenalineAdelaide Ice Arena
20 August17:00CBR Brave4–6Sydney Ice DogsLiverpool Catholic Club Ice Rink

Finals

Goodall Cup semi-final All times are UTC+10:00

27 August 2016
15:00		CBR Brave4 – 3 OT
(1–1, 1–1, 1–1, 1–0)		Melbourne IceO'Brien Group Arena
Game reference
Aleksi ToivonenGoaliesTroy DavenportReferee:
Jeff Scott
Linesmen:
Fraser Ohlson
Casper Russell-Huber
2:43 – Safar (PP) (T. Kubara, Miettinen)1 – 0
1 – 113:27 – Lassen (PP) (Graham, Armstrong)
1 – 226:01 – Hughes (Baclig, Yule)
29:47 – Wudrick (PP) (Safar, Brandi)2 – 2
44:31 – Wudrick (PP) (Prokop, Kubara)3 – 2
3 – 348:35 – Lassen
58:47 – Safar (Wudrick and Rummukainen)4 – 3
12 minPenalties35 min
34Shots35

Goodall Cup final

28 August 2016
15:00		CBR Brave1–2
(0–1, 0–1, 1–0)		Newcastle North StarsO'Brien Group Arena
Game reference
Aleksi ToivonenGoaliesDayne DavisReferee:
Cory Ross
Linesmen:
Fraser Ohlson
Casper Russell-Huber
0 – 113:02 – McLaughlin (Nadin)
0 – 219:44 – Harris (Taylor)
32.51 – Wudrick (Safar, Blunden)1 – 2
8 minPenalties8 min
29Shots31

Player statistics

Skaters
Regular season
Nat Player Pos M G A P PIM
CanadaArtem BidlevskiiD60332
CanadaStephen BlundenF1420173799
AustraliaZach BoyleD2718910
SwitzerlandNicola BrandiF10861414
AustraliaJordon BruntF60000
AustraliaHarrison ByersF19123108
AustraliaJames ByersD2814536
AustraliaTimothy CoxD40000
AustraliaJordie GavinF1301120
AustraliaMatthew GilpinF40000
CanadaMathieu GuertinF2018314986
CanadaMatthew HarveyD1509918
AustraliaMitchell HenningF261346
United StatesRyan JohnsonF1911270
AustraliaCasey KubaraF2716334924
AustraliaTyler KubaraF228142214
AustraliaThomas LetkiF100000
AustraliaMatti LuomaF102572
AustraliaKai MiettinenF28561132
AustraliaLuke MooreD200000
AustraliaLuke PhilpsF170000
CanadaNeal ProkopF201614308
AustraliaMark RummukainenD2526818
Czech RepublicJan SafarD177253261
CanadaGeordie WudrickF2020305034
Finals
Nat Player Pos M G A P PIM
CanadaArtem BidlevskiiD00000
CanadaStephen BlundenF10112
AustraliaZach BoyleD20000
SwitzerlandNicola BrandiF20110
AustraliaJordon BruntF00000
AustraliaHarrison ByersF20000
AustraliaJames ByersD20004
AustraliaTimothy CoxD00000
AustraliaJordie GavinF20002
AustraliaMatthew GilpinF00000
CanadaMathieu GuertinF00000
CanadaMatthew HarveyD20002
AustraliaMitchell HenningF00000
United StatesRyan JohnsonF00000
AustraliaCasey KubaraF20112
AustraliaTyler KubaraF20110
AustraliaThomas LetkiF00000
AustraliaMatti LuomaF20000
AustraliaKai MiettinenF20110
AustraliaLuke MooreD00000
AustraliaLuke PhilpsF00000
CanadaNeal ProkopF10110
AustraliaMark RummukainenD20110
Czech RepublicJan SafarD22242
CanadaGeordie WudrickF23146

Goaltenders
Regular season
Nat Player Pos M SO MP GA GAA SA SV SV% G A PIM
AustraliaNickolas Eckhardt G0----------
AustraliaAlex Tetreault G90280224.721781560.876020
AustraliaAleksi Toivonen G2401111935.027546610.877022
Finals
Nat Player Pos M SO MP GA GAA SA SV SV% G A PIM
AustraliaNickolas Eckhardt G0----------
AustraliaAlex Tetreault G0----------
AustraliaAleksi Toivonen G2010852.7966610.924000

Awards

Team awards for 2016 season[18]

2016 Brave awards
AwardRecipient
Bravest of the BraveCzech Republic Jan Safar
Canada Mathieu Guertin
Best ForwardCanada Mathieu Guertin
Best DefencemanCzech Republic Jan Safar
Fans ChoiceAustralia James Byers
Player's ChoiceAustralia Kai Miettinen
Coach's Award*Not awarded
Emerging BraveAustralia Casey Kubara
John Lewis Memorial AwardAustralia Andrew Deans
Australia Judy Deans

AIHL awards for 2016 season[19]

2016 AIHL awards
AwardRecipient
Rookie of the YearAustralia Casey Kubara
Local Player of the YearAustralia Casey Kubara
Defenseman of the YearCzech Republic Jan Safar

References
  1. "2016 AIHL season: Round 17". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. August 20, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  2. Corrigan, Tom (August 27, 2016). "Canberra Brave into Australian Ice Hockey League with overtime win". The Canberra Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  3. Scardetta, Jordan (August 27, 2016). "CBR Brave first to advance to Goodall Cup Final". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  4. 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.
  5. "2016 Coaching Team Announcement". CBR Brave. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  6. "Brave Release 2016 Roster". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  7. "Canberra Cavalry and CBR Brave partnership to offer fans extended benefits". brave.theaihl.com. April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  8. "CBR Brave and Navy Tigersharks Announce new Partnership". brave.theaihl.com. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. "The AIHL's best recognised in Annual AIHL Awards". theaihl.com. September 12, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  14. McNamara, Bernard (September 13, 2016). "Safar takes out second straight D-man honour". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  15. McNamara, Bernard (September 13, 2016). "Kubara takes out Rookie and Local Player of the Year". theaihl.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  16. "2016 CBR Brave Team Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  17. "CBR Brave Coaching Staff". www.theaihl.com. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  18. "CBR Brave 2016 Player Awards". www.icehockeynewsaustralia.com. August 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  19. "The AIHL's best recognised in Annual AIHL Awards". www.theaihl.com. September 12, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
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