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It’s Back. Year 7. Bigger Prizes. New Rules. Are You In?

Hey Hockey Fans,

Seven years ago, a group of ice hockey fans had a simple idea: make the NHL Playoffs more fun by putting some skin in the game.

This year, the Ice Zoo Hockey Club Tipping Competition is back for its 7th consecutive season — and it’s the best version yet.

🏆 What is it?

Every round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you pick the series winner and how many games it goes. Points scale up as the rounds get harder. The leaderboard is live. The banter is real. And this year, there’s cold hard cash on the line at every single round — not just at the end.

⚡ What’s New This Year

We’ve rebuilt the competition from the ground up:

  • Fully automated — results update in real time, no more waiting on spreadsheets
  • New scoring structure — points ramp up each round, so you can claw back right to the Stanley Cup Final
  • Second Chance Cup Pick — if your Stanley Cup pick gets eliminated early, you can re-pick a surviving team for reduced points. Nobody gets left behind.
  • Round prizes — the best tipper each round wins cash. More chances to win throughout the entire playoffs.
  • Upset bonus — correctly back the underdog and earn a 50% points bonus on top. Bold calls get rewarded.


💰 Prizes + A Good Cause

Your entry fee is split two ways — roughly half goes into the prize pool for players to win back, and the other half goes directly to Ice Zoo Hockey Club to fund junior player development, ice time, and programs that grow ice hockey in Australia.

So whether you finish first or last, your entry puts money back into the sport we all love.

This is a competition and a fundraiser. Both matter.

📋 How to Enter

  • Click the link below and create your account
  • Pay the entry fee (card payment, takes 60 seconds)
  • Submit your Stanley Cup pick before the deadline
  • Pick every series, every round — and climb the leaderboard
👉 Join the Competition


Registration closes when the playoffs Start April 18th — don’t leave it too late.

See you on the leaderboard

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Welcome to the 2026 Season

Welcome to the 2026 Season

We’re thrilled to welcome you back and excited to begin at our new, bigger temporary rink. The board has made every effort to keep costs down and ensure the club’s financial stability. Your support and understanding are truly valued as we embark on this exciting year together.

Below is all the essential information you need to be ready to play ice hockey in 2026. 

On this page:

  1. Training times, 2026 Year planner and gear requirement.
  2. Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees

 

1- Training Times

On Wednesdays for 30 weeks from March 4th to September 23rd.

  • 7U/9U/11U – 5:30 to 6:30 pm (1hr)
  • NO cut
  • U13 – 6:30 to 7:30 pm (1hr)
  • Ice cut (15min)
  • U15 – 7:45 to 8:45 pm (1hr)
  • Ice cut (15min)
  • U17 + Seniors – 9:00 to 10:00 pm* (1hr)
    *Senior teams will rotate each week.

On Thursdays for 30 Weeks from March 5th to September 24th.

  • Arctic Foxes (Women) + Hippos (Seniors) 6:15 to 7:15 pm 1 hr 

Please review the 2026 year calendar for dates.

Gear requirements:

As always, to participate in club activities, you need all the gear. Seniors will also need to wear a neck guard. ) See the gear requirement list.      

2- Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees

Ice hockey always has three types of fees  to consider

  1. Yearly IHA/IHNSW registration
  2. Yearly Rego and Training ice fees
  3. Per game fee  

a) Registration is from March 1st to Feb 28th every year. Our 2026 memberships are open, login here: Ice Zoo Hockey Club – Powered By esportsdesk.com 

All newcomers who have never registered will need to sign up. Create a family and add your kids.

The new 2026 membership costs are listed below.

Please Note: When registering in ESD, you will pay for the IZHC club membership* and the Team Game Officials Fee** simultaneously, as well as the training fees.

*The club membership fee enables you to become a member and vote at AGMs. The funds raised from the membership are reinvested into hockey development and club activities.

*IHNSW charges each team with accredited game officials (referees and line officials). This does not apply to U9 players. 

b) The Rego and training fees are as follows:

The total training fee covers you for all training sessions for the season and is non-refundable.

Payment

NEW this year, all payments are done and automated in ESD as you process your IHA/IHNSW registration – Do not do a bank transfer

If you’re applying for a Goalie sponsorship, please contact us to obtain a special ESD coupon before you check out.

c) Game fees are an estimate at this stage since the IHNSW game schedule is not out yet. 

  • Team managers organise and pay rinks on game day.
  • Some teams choose to collect in bulk. 
  • Teams will play around 15-17 games per season.
  • The cost is usually around $25 to $30 per game.

SATURDAY 25th/26th March:

The season starts for all divisions and ages.

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2026 Team Selections, Tryouts and Pre-Season

2026 Team Selections, Tryouts and Pre-Season

All youth players sign up for team selection and 4 pre-season training thought ESportDesk:

Youth Players Signup
(Pay at the door – $35/w)
2026 Senior teams

All Adult players sign up for team selection and 4 pre-season training thought ESportDesk:

Adult Players Signup
(Pay at the door – $35/w)

Greetings IZHC Family,

As the new year begins, the quiet of the off-season is drawing to a close. There is a familiar sense of purpose returning to the club as we prepare for the 2026 season. Whether you are returning for another year or joining us for the first time, we look forward to seeing the community back together at the rink.

Hockey is a sport of tradition and steady improvement. It requires discipline on the ice and a strong sense of fellowship off it. With that in mind, we have several important updates regarding our transition into the new season.

1- A Masterclass in Coaching

We are delighted to announce our coaching staff for 2026. Stability is the bedrock of any great club, and we are proud to retain the majority of our seasoned mentors. To further elevate our programme, we are welcoming three high-calibre additions to the crew: Matty, Peter, and Freddy. Their international and domestic experience will be invaluable to our players’ development.

View the full coach announcements

2- New BIGGER rink location

Please note that Ice Zoo is relocating to 22 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria. The new rink dimensions will be similar to those at LCC, providing a consistent environment for our players to develop their game.

IMPORTANT
We have just been informed that the new Ice zoo won’t be ready till Friday, the 6th, so on Wednesday, the 4th, we will be at the Mascot shed/current location for one last time.

3- 2026 Try-out, Team selection and pre-season training

Time changes as of Feb 14th, 2026 – effective immediately

  • Wednesday Nights Feb 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th
    • U9 (1/3 ice) + U11 (2/3 ice) = 5.30 – 6.30pm (1h)
    • U13 6.30 – 7.30pm (30m Full Ice + 30m 1/2 Ice = 1h)  
    • U15 7.45 – 8.45pm (30m 1/2 Ice + 30m Full Ice = 1h)
    • U17 + Seniors = 9 to 10 pm (1h)
  • Thursday Nights Feb 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th
    • Women’s Arctic Foxes 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm (1h)

2026 – Age Cut-Off Diagram

All players must try out in their respective age group to start, and once coaches assess players, we will make decisions on each player’s best location, including scenarios such as PlayDown/PlayUP etc.

4- U17 Process & combine

Following the previous year’s format, IHNSW will hold a combined 17U (Midget) tryout for Sydney basin clubs. Based on our current numbers, we expect to field a strong team this year and have allocated a dedicated training hour for those intending to play for the Wolves. Our U17 crew will be led by Ash, Orion, and Freddy.

  • IHNSW Combine: Sunday, 15th February, 8:15 am – 10:15 am at Liverpool Catholic Club Rink.
  • All U17-aged players must report to the combine tryout, even if you’re hoping of playing down. 

5- Goaltender sponsorship program

The goaltender is the backbone of any team—a position requiring immense courage and specialised craft. We recognise that it is also the most expensive role to maintain. To foster the next generation of “brick walls,” the club will sponsor our goalies’ ice time for the 30-week season.

The Condition: To ensure this valuable ice time is utilised, goalies are only required to pay for sessions they miss. If you show up and put in the work, the ice is on us.

To apply for sponsorship, please reach out to the club [info@icezoohockeyclub.com.au]

6- 2026 Year planner

For those who wish to plan their schedules in advance, the IZHC 2026 Year Planner is now available. 

Details regarding IHNSW registration and season fees will follow in early February.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the club at [info@icezoohockeyclub.com.au]

We look forward to a productive season on the ice.

Ice Zoo Hockey Club

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2026 Team Coaches Announcement

We’re thrilled to unveil the exceptional coaching crew who will guide our teams through this coming year of growth, challenges, and achievements.

In 2026, we keep most of our existing crew and add two excellent high-level coaches in Peter and Freddy.

Our coaches bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to excellence, ensuring our athletes are equipped to reach new heights.

Hugh Deraps – Program Director

A Montréal native with over 25 years of coaching and officiating experience, Hugh Deraps is a cornerstone of player development at Ice Zoo. From coaching Victorian state sides to officiating international fixtures, Hugh’s expertise is as broad as it is deep. Trained under the elite EHS programme in Vancouver, he brings world-class technical insights to our grassroots and competitive programmes alike, ensuring the “Ice Zoo way” is built on a foundation of wisdom and skill.

U7/U9 Mites and Atoms

Hugh Deraps – Training Coach

Victoria Felsman – Assistant Coach

Victoria (Vic) started playing hockey on ice as an adult and recently finished competing in the women’s league. Still learning and growing in the sport, Vic has the privilege of being coached by the best and is eager to pass on that knowledge and passion.

New to coaching, Vic will bring her TAFE teaching skills to hockey by breaking down skills, building confidence, and, most importantly, having fun while fostering teamwork both on and off the ice.

U11 Squirts

Matt Monaghan – Head Coach

Matt moved over from the USA and has over 30 years of hockey experience as a player and coach. He was a member of the 2001 Illinois high school state championship team and played 6 seasons in the AIHL, where he appeared in 100 games and averaged 1 point per game. In 2010, Matt finished in the top 3 for AIHL MVP voting. Beyond hockey, he also served as Head of Junior Development for Pitterwater Baseball.

Sasha (Alexander) D’jamirze – Assistant Coach

Sasha began his ice hockey journey at the age of five, starting with Blacktown. Progressing through the ranks, Alexander reached the pinnacle of representing the Blacktown AIHL Ice Dogs. His talent and dedication earned him the honour of representing Australia in the Asia Oceanic Cup for several consecutive years.

Sasha’s career highlights include a season with the prestigious Central Red Army Moscow Junior Under-21s team, where he honed his skills alongside top-tier players. Currently, Alexander is an integral member of the Ice Zoo Hockey Club, continuing his passion for the sport and bringing a wealth of experience to his team.

Nic Heinecke – Assistant Coach (Backup)

U13 Peewees

Peter Augoustis – Head Coach

Peter Augoustis, Canadian-born and an Australian citizen, has been a cornerstone of the Canterbury Ice Hockey community for over 18 years. A Level 2 accredited Ice Hockey Australia coach, he has guided Peewee, Bantam, and Midget teams to multiple championships, taken men’s squads to overseas tournaments, and proudly seen many of his players progress to professional hockey both in Australia and abroad.

Beyond the rink, Peter is the co-founder of Crust Pizza and Zeus Street Greek, and the founder of Divide 8 Pizza—an award-winning, community-centric brand recognised as a preferred first employer for under-18s. His entrepreneurial success reflects his passion for mentorship, teamwork, and building pathways for young people.

A father of three, Peter’s proudest hockey achievement is playing alongside athletes he first coached as children—a testament to his commitment to developing players for both sport and life.

Nic Heinecke – Assistant Coach

Nic brings technical skating knowledge gained from competing in short track internationally, including being trained under top Canadian coaches in Montreal. In the local junior ranks, he claimed gold in all race distances at national championships each year and competed at the inaugural Junior World Championship in Seoul, Korea. Nic has international accreditation as a ski instructor and a love of going fast, which led to him becoming qualified as a FIS-accredited alpine racing coach. His vision is to deliver to the club training in skate mechanics so that the players can transform their gameplay with speed, efficiency, and technical excellence in the skating elements of the game.

Nic Heinecke

Hugh Deraps – Assistant Coach (Backup)

U15 Bantams

Alec Stephenson – Head Coach

Alec has over a decade of experience in the AIHL, won a gold medal with the U18 Australian Team and represented the U20 Australia Team. In 2013, he was a member of the Goodall Cup-winning Sydney Ice Dogs. With over 25 years of experience in the sport, alongside the contribution his family has made to ice hockey in Australia, he is beyond excited to help the Wolves develop and mentor the younger generation.

Photo: Peter Podlaha

Geoff O’Hara – Assistant Coach

Geoff O’Hara has been playing and coaching for over two decades. Having competitive experience at the international level in multiple sports has led to a lifetime of personal development and learning aimed at helping any athlete at any point in their journey in sport get to the next level and potentially a level.

Hugh Deraps – Assistant Coach (Backup)

U17 Midgets

Ash Moore – Associate Coach

Born in the picturesque hills of Vernon, BC, Canada, Ashley’s passion for hockey was sparked on a homemade backyard rink, skating with an upside-down bin in hand. A move to Melbourne, Australia, replaced the rink with a pool and a makeshift cricket pitch, but the dream of hockey never faded.

His coaching journey began with the Wolves and quickly expanded to mentoring players across all junior levels.

Now a Level 2 coach, Ash was an Assistant Coach of the 2024 Gold Medal-winning NSW DeFries team. With a commitment to continuous learning from seasoned players and coaches, Ashley brings an inspiring blend of passion and expertise to help players.

Fredrik Rozenberg – Associate Coach

Freddie has represented both Queensland and New South Wales at national ice and inline hockey championships from U11s through to men’s age groups.

At an international level, he has represented Australia at the IIHF U20 World Championships. He further developed overseas, playing three seasons in Sweden across U18, U20 and open men’s.

Since moving to Sydney in 2017, Freddie has continued to play, playing six seasons with the Sydney Sting in the East Coast Super League (ECSL), as well as three seasons in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) between the Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs.

Orion Lynch – Associate Coach

Orion stepped onto the ice at age 2 and began his hockey journey at 7 with the Eagles and Bears. His development included playing for the Sydney Sting on the East Coast from the age of 15 and attending a prestigious hockey camp in the Czech Republic. Orion completed year 12 at the Ontario Hockey Academy, where he competed in Major Midget U18 AA, before advancing to the United States to play Junior A hockey for the Missoula Jr. Bruins.

Club Goalie Coach

Gabe Robledo

Gabe has competed as a goaltender in Australia’s top division, the AIHL, for over 20 years. He has won three Goodall Cups in 3 different roles, as a starter, backup, and black ace. Internationally, he has represented Australia at the inaugural Trans-Tasman Series and multiple IIHF Inline World Championships.

Transitioning to coaching, Gabe has worked extensively within the NSW program, having coached through every age group. He has also been invited to participate in several IHA National Camps. Gabe spent 6 years with the Australian Women’s U18 program, leading goaltending at national camps and travelling with the team to a Gold medal finish and a promotion at the IIHF World Championships.

He is currently the Goaltending / Video Coach for the Sydney Ice Dogs and mentors athletes through A Team Advisory on pathways to North American College hockey.

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2025 Juicebox Leagues Champions

Well, here we are again, standing on the edge of the off-season, and what a spectacular nine weeks of ice hockey we have just witnessed!

It fills me with immense pride to wrap up what has been an exceptional 2025 Juicebox Summer League campaign. This league, running from mid-October right up until this week’s magnificent finale on December 11th, is not just about keeping the legs moving; it’s a focused development programme designed to challenge and improve every single participant, from the newest beginners to our state-level players.

A Summer of Skill and Spirit

The core mission of Juicebox is to increase those vital puck touches and shots on goal, boosting every player’s game sense and skills in a balanced and intense competitive environment—and judging by the feedback, we achieved that and more!

Watermelon League (7U to 11U): The future of our club shone brilliantly in the Watermelon League. These youngsters embraced the fast-paced 3-on-3 Cross-Ice format with one-minute shifts, guaranteeing non-stop action and maximal participation. The skills we have seen developed here will serve our players well for years to come.

Strawberry League (Women’s Division): We had a wonderful influx of newcomers and developing players, many of whom were learning the nuances of full-ice play, including offsides and icing, for the very first time. Crucially, the league format, where players registered individually to create balanced teams, allowed our more experienced players to step up as on-ice leaders.

Pineapple League (Junior & Senior Divisions): Inspired by the famed Banana Coffs Harbour tournament, the 3-on-3 Full-Ice format across our four Pineapple divisions—Junior Silver and Gold, and Senior Tin and Platinum—provided exhilarating hockey. The constant flow, on-the-fly changes, and the intense pressure of the penalty-shot rules ensured every game was a thriller. This setup is the perfect incubator for decision-making under stress. Congratulations to all the division champions who earned their bragging rights!

Beyond the Scoreboard

We must extend our highest praise not only to the players but also to the tireless support staff. Shout-out to Danielle Harris, our tireless scorer; Saul for creating a watermelon-specific scoreboard; and all the referees: JJ, Ash, Henry, William, Charlie H, Harry, Jaimieson and Charlie G.

To our incredible coaches, especially those new parents and mentors who stepped up to gain valuable bench experience, thank you for guiding our teams. Thank You: Tom, Dave, Tomas, Oscar, Chip, Nic, Scott E, Paul, Scott G, Jon, Manns, Marek and Kevin.

The 2025 Juicebox League has reaffirmed the wonderful community spirit we cherish at Ice Zoo. As the summer gets into full swing, we encourage everyone to hold onto that competitive fire and get ready to bring the heat back when the 2026 season rolls around.

Have a safe and restful break, and we look forward to seeing you all back on the centre ice soon!

Yours in Hockey,

Hugh Deraps
Ice Zoo Hockey Club

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2025 Season Wrap-up

A few weeks ago, the Ice Zoo Hockey Club celebrated our fantastic community at our annual End-of-Year Awards!

It was excellent to gather the entire club—a proper representation of our global game, from junior development to established senior players.

The evening was dedicated to recognising the dedication shown by all our members. Players from all teams were presented with awards for their performances and commitment, alongside a shared meal and new Club merchandise.

The central moment of the evening was honouring our inaugural Club Player of the Year, Annika Schmitz. Annika’s consistent excellence and influence on the ice throughout the season were undeniable, making her a thoroughly deserving recipient.

Thank you to all our players, coaches, volunteers, and families for a magnificent 2025. The spirit and dedication within the Ice Zoo community are second to none, and we are perfectly positioned to carry this momentum into 2026.

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Nathan Walker Night

Huge night for the Ice Zoo Hockey Club! Australian NHL player Nathan Walker visited Ice Zoo on Wednesday, inspiring our young “Wolves” players!

He shared insights, signed autographs, and was genuinely impressed by the incredible development work happening here at the Club.

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2025 NHL Playoffs Tipping Competition Fundraiser

Playoff time is almost here, and our tipping comp is back for its 6th year!

Same as last year: simple tipping every round, a big prize pool, and serious bragging rights.

We’re aiming for 100+ participants. 

This is a fundraiser for our club development programs, such as Meerkats, Juicebox, etc. Please share with hockey fans. 

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Welcome to the 2025 Season

We’re thrilled to welcome you back and excited to begin despite the ongoing challenges of ice scarcity. The board has made every effort to keep costs down and ensure the club’s financial stability. Your support and understanding are truly valued as we embark on this exciting year together.

Below is all the essential information you need to be ready to play ice hockey in 2025. 

On this page:

  1. Training times, 2025 Year planner and gear requirement.
  2. Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees

 

1- Training Times

On Wednesdays for 30 weeks from March 5th to Sept 24th.

  • 7U/9U/11U – 5:30 to 6:30 pm (1hr)
  • Ice cut (10min)
  • U13 – 6:40 to 7:40 pm (1hr)
  • Ice cut (10min)
  • U15 – 7:50 to 8:50 pm (1hr)
  • Ice cut (10min)
  • 3 Senior teams – 9:00 to 10:30 pm* (1.5hr)
    *Senior teams will rotate each week.

On Thursdays for 30 Weeks from March 6th to Sept 25th.

  • Women 8:40 to 9:40 pm (Women U13+) 1 hr 

Please review the 2025 year calendar for dates.

Gear requirements:

As always, to participate in club activities, you need all the gear. Seniors will also need to wear a neck guard. ) See the gear requirement list.      

2- Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees

Ice hockey always has three types of fees  to consider

  1. Yearly IHA/IHNSW registration
  2. Yearly Training ice fees
  3. Per game fee  

a) Registration is from March 1st to Feb 28th every year. Our 2025 memberships are open, login here: Ice Zoo Hockey Club – Powered By esportsdesk.com 

All newcomers who have never registered will need to sign up. Create a family and add your kids.

The new 2025 membership costs are listed below.

Please Note: When registering in ESD, you will pay for the IZHC club membership* and the Team Game Officials Fee** simultaneously.

*The club membership fee enables you to become a member and vote at AGMs. The funds raised from the membership are re-invested into hockey development and club activities.

*IHNSW charges each team with accredited game officials (referees and line officials). This does not apply to U9 players. 

b) The 2025 training fees are as follows:

The total training fee covers you for all training sessions for the season and is non-refundable.
Women players who train with Foxes and with Seniors will get a 50% discount on the senior fee.

Payment

Bank Transfer to:
Ice Zoo Hockey Club
BSB: 112879
Account: 414419320
USE PLAYERS NAME AS REFERENCE on payment

c) Game fees are an estimate at this stage since the IHNSW game schedule is not out yet. 

  • Team managers organise and pay rinks on game day.
  • Some teams choose to collect in bulk. 
  • Teams will play around 15-20 games per season.
  • The cost is usually around $25 to $30 per game.

SATURDAY 29th/30th March:

Season starts for Juniors (9U, 11U, 13U, 15U, 17U) and Senior 1

SATURDAY 26th/27th April:

Season starts for Women, Senior 2, Senior 3, Senior 4 and ECSL