28 March 2025
They may be old-timers by name, but ADF proved they were young-guns by nature when they took to the ice against national teams for the the Old Timers ice Hockey Australia Network tournament in Adelaide, March 7-9.
Defence came in fourth with three losses and a draw.
A nail-biting first round draw against the Melbourne Dynamos was a positive start to the tournament, according to Lieutenant Commander Stephen Wall.
The Defence right-winger said the team hadn’t had many opportunities to play together and the first games were about gelling on the ice.
They failed to back up in their second match against the Adelaide Vintage Reds, who were convincing with a five-goal win.
The Melbourne Night Owls also proved too strong, cruising to a six-goal victory over Defence in the third match.
“We were competitive, but our opponents were pretty well established,” Lieutenant Commander Wall said.
The playoff for third spot was a rematch against the Melbourne Dynamos.
“I thought that we would have struggled against any of the teams due to their experience and talent,” Squadron Leader Mitchell Brown said.
“We were able to finish the tournament with a one-nil loss, which wasn’t a bad result.”
ADF Ice Hockey Association treasurer Sergeant Brendan Harrison said the old-timer’s skill-level and competitiveness was top notch and ADF players held their own.
“A lot of the players age out of the open Australian Ice Hockey League and go on to play the old-timers,” Sergeant Harrison said.
Defence was always looking for new players to keep their team competitive against national sides.
ADF Ice Hockey has a number of starter kits; anyone interested in playing can borrow for an introduction.
Kits include skates and pads, and an invitation to try the sport during weekly training sessions in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra.
Anzac Day exhibition matches are planned for teams on the east and west coast. The next major event for ADF Ice Hockey is the triservice tournament in November.
Anyone interested should email adf.icehockey@defence.gov.au
