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
Coach Josh Unice
Art Bidlevskii (Interim head coach)
Assistant coach David Rogina
Captain Jordan Gavin
Alternate captains Ryan Johnson
Kai Miettinen
ArenaPhillip Ice Skating Centre
Team leaders
Goals Stephen Blunden (20)
Geordie Wudrick
Assists Casey Kubara (33)
Points Geordie Wudrick (50)
Penalty minutes Harrison Byers (108)
Goals against average 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
4Art BidlevskiiDR252016Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
73Stephen BlundenLWL272014Gloucester, Ontario, Canada
10Zachary BoyleDL202016Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
8Nicola BrandiLWR222016Wetzikon, Hinwil, Switzerland
21Jordan BruntFL162015Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
22Harrison ByersCR232014Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
17James ByersDR222014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
23Timothy CoxDR292016Australia
38Nickolas EckhardtGL262014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
19Jordan Gavin (C)FR342014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
14Matt GilpinFR202016Queensland, Australia
2Mathieu GuertinLWL242016Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
86Matthew HarveyDR302014Calgary, Alberta, Canada
18Mitchell HenningFR182016Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3Ryan Johnson (A)FR422014Amesbury, Massachusetts, United States
15Casey KubaraRWR202016Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia
16Tyler KubaraFR212015Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia
77Tom LetkiFR272014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
28Matti LoumaRWR362016Helsinki, Finland
64Kai Miettinen (A)FL202014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
27Luke MooreDR202016Belfast, United Kingdom
13Luke PhilpsFR332016Australia
9Neal ProkopCL262016Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
12Mark RummukainenDR342014Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
24Jan SafarDR292016Praha, Czech Republic
20Alexandre TetreaultGL182015Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5Aleksi ToivonenGL202015Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
88Geordie 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
D Art Bidlevskii Kallinge-Ronneby IFImport
D Zachary Boyle Adelaide AdrenalineLocal
W Nicola Brandi SC Rapperswil-Jona LakersImport
D Timothy CoxNo teamLocal
F Matt GilpinNo teamLocal
W Mathieu Guertin Trois-Rivières BlizzardImport
F Mitchell HenningNo teamLocal
W Casey Kubara Atlanta Jr. KnightsLocal
W Matti LuomaNo teamLocal
D Luke MooreNo team]Local
F Luke PhilpsNo teamLocal
C Neal ProkopNo teamImport
D Jan Safar Newcastle North StarsImport
W Geordie Wudrick Newcastle North StarsImport

Out
Pos Player Transferred To Local / Import
D Aaron ClayworthNo teamLocal
D/F David Dunwoodie Sydney Ice DogsLocal
W Kelly Geoffrey Aigles de La Roche sur YonImport
D/F Mike GiorgiNo teamImport
F David LewisNo teamLocal
F Jayden LewisNo teamLocal
D Tomas Manco Sydney Ice DogsLocal
D Kyle Mariani Bouquetins de Val VanoiseImport
D Ben PagettNo teamLocal
C Jordan Peddle Terrace River KingsImport
C Scott Pitt Braehead ClanImport
F Alain RiesenNo teamLocal
D/F Peter TaylorNo teamLocal
G Josh Unice CBR Brave (head coach)Import
G Stuart WoodallNo teamLocal

Staff

Staff Roster for 2016 AIHL season[17]

2016 AIHL CBR Brave Staff
RoleStaff
Head coach Josh Unice
Assistant coach David Rogina
Assistant coach Art Bidlevskii
Strength and conditioning coach Stuart Philps
Physiotherapist Sportstec
Equipment manager Adrian Miller
Bench official Darren Sault
Bench official 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

Goodall Cup final

28 August 2016
15:00		CBR Brave1–2
(0–1, 0–1, 1–0)		Newcastle North StarsO'Brien Group Arena

Player statistics

Skaters
Regular season
Nat Player Pos M G A P PIM
Artem BidlevskiiD60332
Stephen BlundenF1420173799
Zach BoyleD2718910
Nicola BrandiF10861414
Jordon BruntF60000
Harrison ByersF19123108
James ByersD2814536
Timothy CoxD40000
Jordie GavinF1301120
Matthew GilpinF40000
Mathieu GuertinF2018314986
Matthew HarveyD1509918
Mitchell HenningF261346
Ryan JohnsonF1911270
Casey KubaraF2716334924
Tyler KubaraF228142214
Thomas LetkiF100000
Matti LuomaF102572
Kai MiettinenF28561132
Luke MooreD200000
Luke PhilpsF170000
Neal ProkopF201614308
Mark RummukainenD2526818
Jan SafarD177253261
Geordie WudrickF2020305034
Finals
Nat Player Pos M G A P PIM
Artem BidlevskiiD00000
Stephen BlundenF10112
Zach BoyleD20000
Nicola BrandiF20110
Jordon BruntF00000
Harrison ByersF20000
James ByersD20004
Timothy CoxD00000
Jordie GavinF20002
Matthew GilpinF00000
Mathieu GuertinF00000
Matthew HarveyD20002
Mitchell HenningF00000
Ryan JohnsonF00000
Casey KubaraF20112
Tyler KubaraF20110
Thomas LetkiF00000
Matti LuomaF20000
Kai MiettinenF20110
Luke MooreD00000
Luke PhilpsF00000
Neal ProkopF10110
Mark RummukainenD20110
Jan SafarD22242
Geordie WudrickF23146

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

Awards

Team awards for 2016 season[18]

2016 Brave awards
AwardRecipient
Bravest of the Brave Jan Safar
Mathieu Guertin
Best Forward Mathieu Guertin
Best Defenceman Jan Safar
Fans Choice James Byers
Player's Choice Kai Miettinen
Coach's Award*Not awarded
Emerging Brave Casey Kubara
John Lewis Memorial Award Andrew Deans
Judy Deans

AIHL awards for 2016 season[19]

2016 AIHL awards
AwardRecipient
Rookie of the Year Casey Kubara
Local Player of the Year Casey Kubara
Defenseman of the Year 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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