Rising Star Daniel Koudelka is a player to watch out for as he continues his hockey development in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) and overseas in years to come.

Position: Defenceman

AIHL Team: Adelaide Adrenaline

Hometown: Adelaide, SA, AUS

Bio

For most AIHL fans, 2024 was the first season people will have heard of Daniel Koudelka. The 18-year-old South Australian made a big splash in his rookie season. By the conclusion of the 2024 AIHL season, most fans now know Koudelka’s talents and bright future in the game.

Born in Adelaide and raised through the South Australian ice hockey junior system, Daniel has had two campaigns with the Australian U18s over the last two years. In 2024, at Puigcerda Spain, Daniel helped Australia finish fourth in Division 2B.

Before joining the Adrenaline, Koudelka spent time playing locally in the Ice Hockey South Australia (IHSA) Premier (Red Wings), Australian Junior Ice Hockey League (AJIHL) (Generals) and internationally in Prague, Czechia with HC Kobra Praha U17s.

Daniel made his AIHL debut for the Adrenaline against the Sydney Bears at home in Adelaide in the first week of the 2024 AIHL season. On 11 May 2024, Koudelka scored his maiden AIHL goal against the Melbourne Mustangs. It was a scorcher of a long-range strike that brough the house down.

Daniel featured in all but one regular-season game for the Adelaide outfit. His impressive season was formally recognised by claiming Rookie of the Year awards by the AIHL and Adrenaline at the end of the season.

What’s ahead

On the back of a highly successful rookie season in the AIHL, Koudelka is focusing on finishing year 12 before returning to the AIHL in 2025. Daniel has the aim of heading back overseas to Czechia in future AIHL off-seasons.

Rising Star Series

This player profile, Rising Star Daniel Koudelka, is the second of our Rising Star series for the AIHL. Please visit our Young Hype section for more player profiles in the series.