The Backyard Hockey League, Auckland’s premiere beer league, is back for season 5.
Since all the rosters got a major reset for the 2017-18 season, Puck Yeah invited BHL President Cam Green to provide our readers with the lowdown on all the squads for ‘The Show: Season V’.
Next up in this six-part series, the Iceholes.
The 2017 Backyard Cup Champion Iceholes will try to complete the seemingly impossible feat of defending a BHL Title in 2018. 4 Seasons, 4 New Champions. To help them get there will be a few new faces, including current and former New Zealand Ice Blacks KC Ball, Josh Hay & 2017 BHL Rookie of the Year, Blake Jackson.
Forwards:
Josh Hay* – Ritchie Hopkinson – Stephen Vlok*
KC Ball – Chase Koolen* – James Currey
Bryce Rouse – Brad Parsonson – Andy Richmond
Defencemen:
Steve Barati* – Blake Jackson
Eric Chung – Thomas Heather
Joel Jefferies – Joel Stirling
FHL Reserves:
Joel Jefferies Andy Richmond
Goaltender:
Mikey Hopkinson
The Frontyard Hockey League is the official farm system for the BHL. The Iceholes’ affiliate is the Fishsticks. View their roster here.
BURNING QUESTION:
Can the become the first BHL franchise to win a second Backyard Cup?
ONE TO WATCH: Chase Koolen (New Zealand)
After competing in the scouting scrimmages and demonstrating great playmaking ability and speed, Koolen made his presence felt in the preseason. The Iceholes have traditionally never had a clear cut No. 2 centre that can add to their high impact offence. Koolen could be that answer.
ON THE FARM:
The HYDE factor will most definitely have an impact here. Reigning FHL Top Defenceman Paul Hyde and daughters Lochlyn Hyde (2-time BHL Champion & 2017 FHL Goaltender of the Year) and returning BHL veteran Alex Hyde will help lead the Fishticks in 2018 as they shoot to land a spot in the Frontyard Finals.
