2023 in review

• 2023 record – 5^th in Hellyer Conference, 8^th overall (7W – 0OTW – 2OTL – 17L)

The Ice Dogs struggled in 2023, and had the added challenge of being in the considerably stronger Hellyer Conference meant they ended the year at the bottom of that conference, and 8^th overall. Injuries and unavailability in key players meant the next generation took on more responsibility than would have been planned at the start of the year, but there were some promising signs from the young pups.

Figure 1: Sydney Ice Dogs key stats in 2023 AIHL Season 

Much like other teams that found struggles in 2023, the Ice Dogs didn’t get the production they would have liked from their imports – with them averaging only 1.200 points per game in the season, despite Grant Toulmin himself going at almost two points per game.

Table 1: Sydney Ice Dogs top 5 scorers in 2023

Table 2: Sydney Ice Dogs 2023 goalie stats

History

The Ice Dogs have not had a particularly strong last few seasons – with 2024 marking a decade since they last made an appearance in the post-season, and even including that year and their Cup-winning 2013, their points percentage over the decade is 0.379.

A big part of their struggles has been difficulties to score – with their 3.397 goals per game better than only the Adrenaline and Rhinos (who only have one season) over the period. This is shown in their top 10 scorers over the period – three of that ten are single-season Ice Dogs, which is the highest share of any team with more than one season. Without the long-term contributions of Grant Toulmin and Strat Allen, it’s fair to say the Dogs would look even bleaker in the rearview mirror.

Through this period, they have been stronger at home (across both Liverpool and since 2017, Macquarie) than away – picking up 40.2% of points at home, and only 35.5% away. This relative strength at home is based on conceding almost half a goal per game less at home than away.

If we look at opponents, the Ice Dogs have a winning record against only the Adrenaline, Lightning and Rhinos, which is reflective of their more recent struggles.

The tables below show the top scorers for the Dogs, goalie performances for the current goalies, as well as some others who have played seasons with the Ice Dogs in the past decade, and the top scorers against them.

Table 3: Sydney Ice Dogs top 10 scorers, 2013 to 2023

Table 4: Sydney Ice Dogs key goalie stats, 2013 to 2023

*Per game calculations based on 60 minutes, not 50.

Table 5: Top 10 scorers against Sydney Ice Dogs, 2013 to 2023

New players/imports

Defenceman Bray Crowder will be a huge addition to the Ice Dogs blue line (pun fully intended for the 6’6″ Canadian). His last two years have been spent in the ECHL, after four years of college hockey and he has shown a strong defensive contribution. With limited offensive production in the ECHL, this is expected to change in the AIHL and we project him to score between 30 and 40 points for the season.

On the subject of players whose size would be just as at home on the basketball court (or tending to the Addams Family), Grant Toulmin has been a pillar for the Ice Dogs since first joining the team in 2016. While he still doesn’t have PR (it can’t be too far away, surely!), he is still producing and was the most important player in 2023. If he can stay healthy and available, 2024 can be his first season above 50 points in the AIHL – a milestone well-deserved.

Centre Alex MacDonald joins the Ice Dogs after two pro seasons in the French third tier and a strong college career at the Royal Military College in Canada. He will bring some pace to the Ice Dogs, and has a hard edge despite being a smaller player – he’ll fit in well. We project him to score between 50 and 55 points for the season.

A move that might surprise many was the signing of Swedish goalie Arvid Ljung, fresh from the Norwegian league. An experienced tender with experience in the Allsvenskan and Alps leagues as well (and some time on SHL rosters), he will bring a level head and important coverage for young Jake Doornbos in net. With a number of import skaters, we don’t expect Ljung to play all 30 games and it will be interesting to see how the partnership with Doornbos develops.

Player to watch

It is not exactly groundbreaking to pick him, but Dmitri Kuleshov is going to be a star in the AIHL, if he isn’t already. In 2023, in his first AIHL season as an 18 year old he scored 34 points in 26 games and an offseason spent playing in the NA3HL in the US won’t do his development any harm either. Expect him to be a key piece for the Ice Dogs for some time.

Keys for 2024

The first wish on coach Jason Kvisle’s list would be to keep his players healthy and on the ice. There are some young, talented players coming through – but without that guidance from some older heads, it is tough for those ‘kids’ to find their feet. In 2023, injuries hit imports and key locals – so if the hockey gods are bit kinder in 2024, it would help a lot.

Something that the Dogs need to be working on in their pre-season is their defence. They allowed their goalies to face almost 45 shots per game in 2023 – and while Jake Doornbos performed admirably, that is too much to ask of the young tendy to steal games when their opponents have 12 more scoring opportunities from the get-go.

Tied into these is the continued development of that young brigade. Both Kuleshovs, Braden Costa and Jake Doornbos are all 22 or younger and show great promise if they can take the next step. Adding to this, Jeremy Vasquez only turns 24 during the season – despite feeling like a part of the establishment at the Dogs after two and a half seasons since crossing over. If these players can step up, it will help to take some pressure off the more experienced players like Cam Todd, Strat Allen and Grant Toulmin (who must be coming close to his PR by now!).