Perth Thunder

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Perth Thunder
Perth Thunder Logo.png
City Perth, Western Australia
League Australian Ice Hockey League
Founded 2010
Operated 2011–present
Home arena Perth Ice Arena
Championships
Regular season titles 0
Conference Championships 0

main

The Perth Thunder is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Perth, Western Australia. Founded in 2010, the Thunder have been a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) since 2012. The Thunder are based at the Perth Ice Arena, located in the suburb of Malag]. Perth are one time Goodall Cup runners-up and two time H Newman Reid Trophy runners-up.

History

Foundation blocks

The concept of a Perth based Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) team began in 2007. Englishman Stan Scott, a former four time national champion in the 1980s, began a conversation about the idea due to local state hockey becoming predictable and boring. The need for a new challenge and a pathway for local Western Australian talent was the driving force that propelled the idea into action and eventually a team.[1]

The blueprint was simple, take the crop of young talent in Western Australian junior ranks and develop it into the backbone of an AIHL team. Add serious imported talent to the mix and a strong team is organised that is both capable of challenging short term, developing medium term and dominating long term.[1]

Stan's first proposal in 2007 was to invite an AIHL team over to Perth to play in a ‘challenge series’ to test the competitiveness of local talent. The idea was knocked back and Stan Scott was told ‘it could not be done’. In 2009, the campaign to enter the AIHL began to pick up pace. A sustainable business plan was developed, sponsorship and community support was sought and acquired, and plans were drawn up for inviting interstate teams to play matches in WA and for a team to travel interstate to Eastern Australia. Once these key objectives were met, the state would then be in a position to establish a team and apply for an AIHL licence.[1]

Establishment

Having met their establishment goals, the Perth Thunder was finally established in 2010 by Stan Scott and John Del Basso. Stan Scott was immediately appointed Thunder general manager (GM). In 2010, through a working contact, Paul Watson (Melbourne Ice head coach), Stan Scott was able to secure the first AIHL opposition for exhibition matches against the Thunder.[1] The Thunder, known at that time under the working title of "Western Thunder", travelled to Melbourne to take on the Melbourne Ice and fellow AIHL aspirant, Mustangs Ice Hockey Club.[2] The Ice also travelled to Perth. After all the exhibition matches had been played and proved successful, it was clear the team was ready to apply for entry into the AIHL.[1] In November 2010, the Thunder was granted a provisional licence for 2011, with a view for the team to enter the league for the 2012 season as the ninth team.[3][4]

In 2011, the Thunder worked with the AIHL to find solutions to predicted problems arising from a team in Western Australian joining a league predominantly located in Eastern Australia. Issues such as higher operating costs, extra demands on players and staff, travelling and match scheduling. The Thunder provided their business case to cover these issues and to showcase to the AIHL the benefits Perth and Western Australia could bring to the AIHL. Stan Scott completed his level 3 coaching qualifications to ensure the team would have an appropriately qualified coach at the outset and the team organised more exhibition matches.[1] The Thunder travelled to Adelaide in May to play the Adelaide Adrenaline twice. Grabbing a tie and win from those matches.[5] In June, the Melbourne Ice travelled to Perth for a two game series at Cockburn Ice Arena. The Ice and Thunder split the series one-all.[6][7] In September, the Thunder welcomed the Newcastle North Stars to Perth for a two game series.[8] The Thunder won both matches 4–2 to complete a successful season of exhibition games.[9] On 22 October 2011, at the AIHL annual general meeting (AGM), the Thunder was officially granted their full licence and joined the AIHL. The team immediately set about preparing for the 2012 AIHL season.[10]

AIHL era

In the Thunder's inaugural season in 2012, the team set lofty objectives for itself. The goal was to make finals in their first season.[1] The introduction of the Thunder to the league saw the AIHL adopt a conference format for the first time.[11] The Thunder was placed in the Easton Conference along with Melbourne Ice, Melbourne Mustangs, Adelaide Adrenaline and Gold Coast Blue Tongues. The top two teams from each of the two conferences qualified for finals. The Thunder enjoyed an up and down first season. Their form was inconsistent. It took some time for the Thunder to settle on consistent first and second lines. However, Perth was one of the few teams in the league in 2012 that implemented a full third line, helping the team towards the end of the season.[12] By season's conclusion, the Thunder had won ten from twenty-four matches. They placed fourth in their conference, missing out on finals.[13][14] 30 August 2012, Perth held their first ever awards night at the Rosemount Hotel. Canadian import Ken Rolph was named the team's inaugural MVP. Rolph racked up 21 goals and 26 assists during the season to win the award. Best defenceman went to Aaron Wilson, Samuel Wilson was named best local player, while David Kudla took out the most improved award.[15]

In 2013, the Thunder, in only their second year in the competition, reached their first ever AIHL finals weekend after finishing third in the league standings for the season.[16] Their first finals opposition was the Newcastle North Stars in a semi-final held at the Melbourne Icehouse on 7 September 2013.[17] Jordan Kyros was the first Thunder player to score a goal in finals hockey but it proved a consolation goal as the Thunder lost the semi-final match 1–6 with Northstars Canadian import, Pier-Olivier Cotnoir, starting with a hat trick of goals.[18][19]

In 2014, prior to the start of the season, the Thunder welcomed a new investor in the team. Robert Cox became partner, director and board member in March 2014. Cox had followed the team since its inception.[20] In April, Stan Scott announced that he had stepped down as head coach to focus on the general manager operations of the club. Scott was replaced by Dylan Forsythe as head coach and but Scott remained on the coaching panel as an assistant.[21] After eight games into the 2014 season it was announced that Forsythe had stepped down as head coach with immediate effect for unknown reasons. Stan Scott agreed to take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[22] The Thunder did not enjoy a good season on the ice in 2014. The team finished seventh in the league standings (second last), the lowest finish in Thunder history.[23]

Between 2015 and 2018, the Thunder enjoyed a period of consistency in the league. The team finished third or second each season but failed to win in four consecutive AIHL semi-finals. In 2019, the Thunder broke their finals curse by beating home team, the Newcastle Northstars 3–2 to reach their first ever Goodall Cup final.[24] In the final the Thunder came up against the Sydney Bears.[25] Perth took a quick 2–0 lead in the first period over the Bears thanks to goals to Louick Marcotte and Kieren Webster. However, the Bears fought back to score five unanswered goals to defeat the Thunder 5–2.[26][27]

Ahead of the 2020 season, the Thunder appointed former player Ben Breault as head coach[28] after Dave Ruck resigned due to a heavy workload between coaching and his job.[29] However, the 2020 season was first postponed[30] and then cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.[31] The 2021 season was subsequently also cancelled, resulting in two years without a game for the Thunder.[32]

When the 2022 season was announced by the AIHL, it included all eight current AIHL teams participating.[33] The AIHL in February 2022 released the regular season schedule and it contained fixtures for all eight teams, home and away.[34] In response to the schedule being posted, the Perth Thunder released a public statement on 12 February 2022, confirming the current Western Australian (WA) border restrictions presented challenges for the team to participate in the 2022 season, but that the team would continue to dialog with stakeholders and hope for a swift resolution by the state government.[35] On 18 February 2022, the Thunder in conjunction with the AIHL announced the team would withdraw from the 2022 AIHL season due to continued uncertainty surrounding the WA border opening and the limited time left to organise team and travel arrangements prior to the 2022 season kicking off in April. The Thunder did offer its players, staff, fans and sponsors the possibility of exhibition matches being played in Perth in 2022 to compensate for the unfortunate withdrawal.[36]

Season-by-season results

Perth Thunder all-time record
Season Regular season Finals Top points scorer
P W T L OW OL GF GA GD Pts Finish P W L GF GA Result Play-In Semi Final Preliminary Final Goodall Cup Final Name Points
2012 24 10 – 12 – 2 81 80 +1 32 4th, Easton – Flag of United States Phil Ginand 50
2013 28 17 – 9 1 1 127 114 +13 54 3rd 1 – 1 1 6 Semi-finalist - Lost 1–6 (North Stars) – – Flag of United States Michael Forney 47
2014 28 9 – 15 2 2 94 94 +0 33 7th – Flag of Canada Stuart Stefan 44
2015 28 14 – 9 1 4 125 104 +21 48 3rd 1 – 1 – 1 Semi-finalist - Lost 0–1 (Ice) – – Flag of Finland Toni Kluuskeri 37
2016 28 16 – 7 4 1 96 73 +23 57 2nd 1 – 1 2 3 Semi-finalist - Lost 2–3 (OT) (North Stars) – – Flag of Canada Benjamin Breault 52
2017 28 16 – 6 3 3 110 75 +35 57 2nd 1 – 1 2 6 Semi-finalist - Lost 2–6 (Brave) – – Flag of Canada Benjamin Breault 58
2018 28 12 – 10 4 2 111 100 +11 46 3rd 1 – 1 0 3 Semi-finalist - Lost 0–3 (Bears) – – Flag of Canada Pier-Olivier Grandmaison 67
2019 28 16 – 10 1 1 116 103 +13 51 3rd 1 1 – 3 2 Runner-up - Won 3–2 (Northstars) – Lost 2–5 (Bears) Flag of Canada Louick Marcotte 62
2020 2020 and 2021 AIHL seasons were cancelled and not contested
2021
2022 Played in 4 exhibition games after withdrawing from the 2022 regular season due to Western Australia border restrictions1
2023 26 17 – 8 – 1 141 90 +51 52 3rd, Hellyer 2 1 1 5 5 Semi-finalist Won 4-1 (Northstars) Lost 1-4 (Brave) – – Flag of United States Conner Jean 48
Totals 246 127 – 86 16 17 1001 833 +168 8 2 6 13 26
1 2022 exhibition record: 4 games, 3 wins, 1 loss, 17 goals scored, 11 goals conceded. 2 additional games against Melbourne Mustangs in Perth were cancelled in mid July 2022.
Champions Runners-up Third place

Championships

1 Champions (0):
1 Runners-up (1): 2019
1 Premiers (0):
1 Runner-up (2): 2016, 2017

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Carpenter, Ross. "Scott, Stan ( – )". Legends of Australian Ice. http://icelegendsaustralia.com/legends-2/bio_scott-s.html. 
  2. ↑ "Melbourne Mustangs News". Melbourne Musttangs. http://www.melbournemustangs.com.au. 
  3. ↑ "About us". Perth Thunder. http://thunder.theaihl.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?clientid=6060&leagueid=25169&pageid=16764. 
  4. ↑ "History of the Australian Ice Hockey League". Australian Ice Hockey League. http://www.theaihl.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?clientid=3856&leagueid=11464&pageid=10074#history. 
  5. ↑ "Latest News". Perth Thunder. http://www.perththunder.com.au/. 
  6. ↑ "Latest News". Perth Thunder. http://www.perththunder.com.au/. 
  7. ↑ "Thundering into the AIHL". Melbourne Ice. http://www.melbourneice.com.au/2011/06/thundering-into-the-aihl/. 
  8. ↑ "Game Times". Perth Thunder. http://www.perththunder.com.au/gametimes.html. 
  9. ↑ "Coaches Report Perth Thunder vs Newcastle". Perth Thunder. http://www.perththunder.com/index.php/coach-report/coaches-report-perth-thunder-vs-newcastle-north-stars-sept-10-11/. 
  10. ↑ Watts, Ellie-Marie (22 October 2011). "Thunder Rolls Into AIHL". Australian Ice Hockey League. https://theaihl.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?page=56371&clientID=3856&leagueID=11464. 
  11. ↑ "Changes aplenty at AIHL AGM". The Other Hewitt. 4 November 2011. http://theotherhewitt.com/?p=658. 
  12. ↑ Rozleja, Michael (11 August 2012). "AIHL feature: Perth Thunder coach Stan Scott". www.prohockeynews.com. https://prohockeynews.com/aihl-feature-perth-thunder-coach-stan-scott/?doing_wp_cron=1583149214.8606998920440673828125. 
  13. ↑ "2011–2012 AIHL season standings". www.eliteprospects.com. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/aihl/2011-2012. 
  14. ↑ "2012 Regular Season Standings". Australian Ice Hockey League. http://www.theaihl.com/leagues/standingsTotals.cfm?leagueID=11464&clientID=3856. 
  15. ↑ Robinson, Chris (30 August 2012). "Ken Rolph named club MVP at Perth Thunder awards night". PerthNow. http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ken-rolph-named-club-mvp-at-perth-thunder-awards-night/story-e6frg1wu-1226461885834. 
  16. ↑ Meister, Chris (4 September 2013). "Perth To Thunder The Finals". Hewitt Sports Network. http://hewittsports.com/perth-thunder-finals/. 
  17. ↑ Brodie, Will (5 September 2013). "Australian Ice Hockey League finals 2013: who will win and how". Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/australian-ice-hockey-league-finals-2013-who-will-win-and-how-20130905-2t6cf.html. 
  18. ↑ "North Stars into AIHL grand final". Newcastle Herald. 7 September 2013. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/1760874/north-stars-into-aihl-grand-final/. 
  19. ↑ Tonks, Craig (8 September 2013). "Fire in the Sky". Hewitt Sports Network. http://hewittsports.com/newcastle-north-stars-v-perth-thunder-fire-sky/. 
  20. ↑ "Robert Cox Invests in Thunders Vision". Perth Thunder. http://www.perththunder.com.au/cox-invests/. 
  21. ↑ "Dylan Forsythe Replaces Stan Scott as Thunder Head Coach". Ice Hockey News Australia. 10 April 2014. http://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2014/04/10/dylan-forsythe-replaces-stan-scott-as-thunder-head-coach/. 
  22. ↑ "Perth Thunder coach steps down". On the Fly Hockey. 23 May 2014. http://ontheflyhockey.com/perth-thunder-coach-steps/. 
  23. ↑ "2013–2014 AIHL standings". www.eliteprospects.com. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/aihl/2013-2014. 
  24. ↑ "AIHL: Bittersweet feeling for Newcastle Northstars coach John Kennedy Jr". Newcastle Star. 2 September 2019. https://www.newcastlestar.com.au/story/6360761/bittersweet-season-finish-for-northstars-coach/. 
  25. ↑ Scardetta, Jordan (31 August 2019). "Thunder Progress to Goodall Cup Final". Perth Thunder. http://thunder.theaihl.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?page=107746&clientID=6060&leagueID=25169. 
  26. ↑ "2019 AIHL Goodall Cup Final Boxscore". Australian Ice Hockey League. 1 September 2019. https://theaihl.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=3856&leagueID=11464&gameID=1853232. 
  27. ↑ Allen, Trevor (9 September 2019). "Bears shock rivals to claim Goodall Cup". International Ice Hockey Federation. https://www.iihf.com/en/news/13703/bears-shock-rivals-to-claim-goodall-cup. 
  28. ↑ "Thunder appoint Breault as head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 9 February 2020. https://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2020/02/09/thunder-appoint-breault-as-head-coach/. Retrieved 4 April 2022. 
  29. ↑ "Ruck steps down as Thunder head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 6 February 2020. https://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2020/02/06/ruck-steps-down-as-thunder-head-coach/. Retrieved 4 April 2022. 
  30. ↑ Turik, David (12 March 2020). "AIHL Statement on the AIHL Season and the Coronavirus". Australian Ice Hockey League. https://theaihl.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3856&leagueID=11464&page=109612. 
  31. ↑ "2020 Update: 2020 AIHL season cancelled". Australian Ice Hockey League. 29 July 2020. https://www.facebook.com/theAIHL/photos/a.117555264850/10158518308314851. 
  32. ↑ "2021 Season Update". Australian Ice Hockey League. 2 February 2021. https://www.facebook.com/theAIHL/photos/a.117555264850/10158980020694851. 
  33. ↑ "AIHL to return in 2022". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 6 December 2021. https://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2021/12/06/aihl-to-return-in-2022/. Retrieved 20 March 2022. 
  34. ↑ "2022 AIHL schedule released". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 8 February 2022. https://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2022/02/08/2022-aihl-schedule-released/. Retrieved 20 March 2022. 
  35. ↑ "Perth Thunder Club Update". Perth Thunder. 12 February 2022. https://www.facebook.com/PerthThunder/posts/5313241868740148. Retrieved 20 March 2022. 
  36. ↑ "Perth Thunder withdraw from 2022 AIHL season". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 18 February 2022. https://icehockeynewsaustralia.com/2022/02/18/perth-thunder-withdraw-from-2022-aihl-season/. Retrieved 20 March 2022. 

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