Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

This month the club is farewelling Larry Wheeler and his family. Larry has been involved with Dunedin ice hockey for many years – on our board, as a coach, player and parent. He’s coached Southern rep teams at the under 13 and under 16 level, and been a driving influence on the direction of our club. We wish him, Geordie, and the rest of their family well as they begin their new adventure in Canada.
Winter Games
The NZ Winter Games tournament begins this week, with the Ice Blacks, China, and Australia arriving over the next couple of days. The game schedule is:
Wednesday 17th: 7pm NZ vs China
Thursday 18th: 7pm China vs Australia
Friday 19th: 7pm NZ vs Australia
Saturday 20th: 5pm 2nd vs 3rd (semi-final)
Sunday 21st: 2pm 1st vs 2nd (final)
For more information and tickets go to: http://wintergamesnz.com/events/ice-hockey/.
You can also catch highlights of all the winter games, including some ice hockey, on a Sky TV highlights package.
Team NewsSouthern Rep teams with lots of Dunedin players have recently been competing in several tournaments. Dunedin Thunder finished their season at home with a couple of intense games against Southern Stampede. The team finished the season with a 5 win, 11 loss record, and will now take a break before looking ahead to 2012. Southern U16s spent a weekend in Auckland, whether they went down both games, and a weekend in Christchurch were they won two games, including a come from behind win in the second. Their season finishes in the first weekend in September here in Dunedin, with a three game series against Auckland.

Southern U13s, U19s, and women have just spent the weekend in Christchurch at Nationals. U19s took gold for the third year running, a fantastic achievement, while U13s and women came third in their grade. Well done to all the Dunedin players who have committed to the teams and played over the weekend.

Upcoming

With the Winter Games on this month, there’s a couple of changes to practices. There’s no Thursday ice hockey this week or next. Peewees/Bantams/Midgets have combined practices this week (16th) and next week (23rd) at 6pm to compensate. On the 23rd the Outlaws have the ice at 8pm, on the 30th Women have the ice at 8pm.
Sunday night Adult Beginners and SNC continue through the month unchanged, except 28 August which is currently cancelled. B Checking League continues through until 30th August, which is it’s final week.
Dunedin Ice Hockey League

The Spring DIHL Will begin in early September on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The league will run with an A and B league – both non-checking, so keep those times free and you’ll receive an email soon with further details and sign up information.

Under 20s Division III World Championships – Dunedin
Dunedin is hosting the Division III Under 20s World Championships. These will take place 16 – 22 January, 2012. Teams will include Iceland, China, New Zealand, Turkey, Bulgaria, and DPR Korea. The club will be seeking volunteers to help with all the tasks that need to happen to make the world champs a success. There will also be fundraising opportunities for teams to help them with their 2012 season. Further information will be coming out next month, but for now plan to be in town during the dates 16 – 22 January and available to watch some great hockey.