The Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) has announced the Melbourne Ducks will enter the competition provisionally this season with full admission thereafter. According to the announcement from AWIHL Commissioner Michaela Fellowes, the Ducks will play six ‘induction’ games during the 2024-25 season, and gain full admission for the 2025-26 campaign.

Additionally, the league announced the 2024-25 season will commence the weekend of November 2 and 3, 2024. The Ducks will bring the total of AWIHL teams to six – Adelaide Rush, Brisbane Lightning, Melbourne Ducks, Melbourne Ice, Perth Inferno, and Sydney Sirens.

The Ducks will add a city rivalry to the league’s dynamic, with the Ducks playing out of IceHQ, and the Ice operating from O’Brien Icehouse.

During last season, the Ducks played six home exhibition games against AWIHL teams, playing the Melbourne Ice, Sydney Sirens, and Adelaide Rush twice each. The Ducks improved from game to game under Head Coach Jeremy Muir, and even collected a win against the defending champion Sydney Sirens.

Hockey Hype Australia interviewed Ducks blueliner and Aussie hockey icon Georgia Carson on The Weekly Wraparound about the Ducks. Click this link to watch the video.

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