Perth Thunder
CityPerth, Western Australia
LeagueAustralian Ice Hockey League
Founded2010
Operated2010–present
Home arenaPerth Ice Arena
ColoursBlue, white, red
     
General managerStan Scott
Head coachBen Breault
CaptainJamie Woodman
Websitewww.perththunder.com.au
Franchise history
2010–presentPerth Thunder
Championships
H Newman Reid Trophies0
Goodall Cups0
Current season

The Perth Thunder is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Perth, Western Australia. Founded in 2010, the Thunder have been a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) since 2012. The Thunder are based at the Perth Ice Arena, located in the suburb of Malaga. Perth are one time Goodall Cup runners-up and two time H Newman Reid Trophy runners-up.

History

Foundation blocks

The concept of a Perth based Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) team began in 2007. Englishman Stan Scott, a former four time national champion in the 1980s, began a conversation about the idea due to local state hockey becoming predictable and boring. The need for a new challenge and a pathway for local Western Australian talent was the driving force that propelled the idea into action and eventually a team.[1]

The blueprint was simple, take the crop of young talent in Western Australian junior ranks and develop it into the backbone of an AIHL team. Add serious imported talent to the mix and a strong team is organised that is both capable of challenging short term, developing medium term and dominating long term.[1]

Stan's first proposal in 2007 was to invite an AIHL team over to Perth to play in a ‘challenge series’ to test the competitiveness of local talent. The idea was knocked back and Stan Scott was told ‘it could not be done’. In 2009, the campaign to enter the AIHL began to pick up pace. A sustainable business plan was developed, sponsorship and community support was sought and acquired, and plans were drawn up for inviting interstate teams to play matches in WA and for a team to travel interstate to Eastern Australia. Once these key objectives were met, the state would then be in a position to establish a team and apply for an AIHL licence.[1]

Establishment

Having met their establishment goals, the Perth Thunder was finally established in 2010 by Stan Scott and John Del Basso. Stan Scott was immediately appointed Thunder general manager (GM). In 2010, through a working contact, Paul Watson (Melbourne Ice head coach), Stan Scott was able to secure the first AIHL opposition for exhibition matches against the Thunder.[1] The Thunder, known at that time under the working title of "Western Thunder", travelled to Melbourne to take on the Melbourne Ice and fellow AIHL aspirant, Mustangs Ice Hockey Club.[2] The Ice also travelled to Perth. After all the exhibition matches had been played and proved successful, it was clear the team was ready to apply for entry into the AIHL.[1] In November 2010, the Thunder was granted a provisional licence for 2011, with a view for the team to enter the league for the 2012 season as the ninth team.[3][4]

In 2011, the Thunder worked with the AIHL to find solutions to predicted problems arising from a team in Western Australian joining a league predominantly located in Eastern Australia. Issues such as higher operating costs, extra demands on players and staff, travelling and match scheduling. The Thunder provided their business case to cover these issues and to showcase to the AIHL the benefits Perth and Western Australia could bring to the AIHL. Stan Scott completed his level 3 coaching qualifications to ensure the team would have an appropriately qualified coach at the outset and the team organised more exhibition matches.[1] The Thunder travelled to Adelaide in May to play the Adelaide Adrenaline twice. Grabbing a tie and win from those matches.[5] In June, the Melbourne Ice travelled to Perth for a two game series at Cockburn Ice Arena. The Ice and Thunder split the series one-all.[6][7] In September, the Thunder welcomed the Newcastle North Stars to Perth for a two game series.[8] The Thunder won both matches 4–2 to complete a successful season of exhibition games.[9] On 22 October 2011, at the AIHL annual general meeting (AGM), the Thunder was officially granted their full licence and joined the AIHL. The team immediately set about preparing for the 2012 AIHL season.[10]

AIHL era

In the Thunder's inaugural season in 2012, the team set lofty objectives for itself. The goal was to make finals in their first season.[1] The introduction of the Thunder to the league saw the AIHL adopt a conference format for the first time.[11] The Thunder was placed in the Easton Conference along with Melbourne Ice, Melbourne Mustangs, Adelaide Adrenaline and Gold Coast Blue Tongues. The top two teams from each of the two conferences qualified for finals. The Thunder enjoyed an up and down first season. Their form was inconsistent. It took some time for the Thunder to settle on consistent first and second lines. However, Perth was one of the few teams in the league in 2012 that implemented a full third line, helping the team towards the end of the season.[12] By season's conclusion, the Thunder had won ten from twenty-four matches. They placed fourth in their conference, missing out on finals.[13][14] 30 August 2012, Perth held their first ever awards night at the Rosemount Hotel. Canadian import Ken Rolph was named the team's inaugural MVP. Rolph racked up 21 goals and 26 assists during the season to win the award. Best defenceman went to Aaron Wilson, Samuel Wilson was named best local player, while David Kudla took out the most improved award.[15]

In 2013, the Thunder, in only their second year in the competition, reached their first ever AIHL finals weekend after finishing third in the league standings for the season.[16] Their first finals opposition was the Newcastle North Stars in a semi-final held at the Melbourne Icehouse on 7 September 2013.[17] Jordan Kyros was the first Thunder player to score a goal in finals hockey but it proved a consolation goal as the Thunder lost the semi-final match 1–6 with Northstars Canadian import, Pier-Olivier Cotnoir, starting with a hat trick of goals.[18][19]

In 2014, prior to the start of the season, the Thunder welcomed a new investor in the team. Robert Cox became partner, director and board member in March 2014. Cox had followed the team since its inception.[20] In April, Stan Scott announced that he had stepped down as head coach to focus on the general manager operations of the club. Scott was replaced by Dylan Forsythe as head coach and but Scott remained on the coaching panel as an assistant.[21] After eight games into the 2014 season it was announced that Forsythe had stepped down as head coach with immediate effect for unknown reasons. Stan Scott agreed to take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[22] The Thunder did not enjoy a good season on the ice in 2014. The team finished seventh in the league standings (second last), the lowest finish in Thunder history.[23]

Between 2015 and 2018, the Thunder enjoyed a period of consistency in the league. The team finished third or second each season but failed to win in four consecutive AIHL semi-finals. In 2019, the Thunder broke their finals curse by beating home team, the Newcastle Northstars 3–2 to reach their first ever Goodall Cup final.[24] In the final the Thunder came up against the Sydney Bears.[25] Perth took a quick 2–0 lead in the first period over the Bears thanks to goals to Louick Marcotte and Kieren Webster. However, the Bears fought back to score five unanswered goals to defeat the Thunder 5–2.[26][27]

Ahead of the 2020 season, the Thunder appointed former player Ben Breault as head coach[28] after Dave Ruck resigned due to a heavy workload between coaching and his job.[29] However, the 2020 season was first postponed[30] and then cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.[31] The 2021 season was subsequently also cancelled, resulting in two years without a game for the Thunder.[32]

When the 2022 season was announced by the AIHL, it included all eight current AIHL teams participating.[33] The AIHL in February 2022 released the regular season schedule and it contained fixtures for all eight teams, home and away.[34] In response to the schedule being posted, the Perth Thunder released a public statement on 12 February 2022, confirming the current Western Australian (WA) border restrictions presented challenges for the team to participate in the 2022 season, but that the team would continue to dialog with stakeholders and hope for a swift resolution by the state government.[35] On 18 February 2022, the Thunder in conjunction with the AIHL announced the team would withdraw from the 2022 AIHL season due to continued uncertainty surrounding the WA border opening and the limited time left to organise team and travel arrangements prior to the 2022 season kicking off in April. The Thunder did offer its players, staff, fans and sponsors the possibility of exhibition matches being played in Perth in 2022 to compensate for the unfortunate withdrawal.[36]

Season-by-season results

Perth Thunder all-time record
Season Regular season Finals Top points scorer
P W T L OW OL GF GA GD Pts Finish P W L GF GA Result Semi Final Preliminary Final Goodall Cup Final Name Points
20122410–12–28180+1324th, Easton–United States Phil Ginand50
20132817–911127114+13543rd1–116Semi-finalistLost 1–6 (North Stars)––United States Michael Forney47
2014289–15229494+0337th–Canada Stuart Stefan44
20152814–914125104+21483rd1–1–1Semi-finalistLost 0–1 (Ice)––Finland Toni Kluuskeri37
20162816–7419673+23572nd1–123Semi-finalistLost 2–3 (OT) (North Stars)––Canada Benjamin Breault52
20172816–63311075+35572nd1–126Semi-finalistLost 2–6 (Brave)––Canada Benjamin Breault58
20182812–1042111100+11463rd1–103Semi-finalistLost 0–3 (Bears)––Canada Pier-Olivier Grandmaison67
20192816–1011116103+13513rd11–32Runner-upWon 3–2 (Northstars)–Lost 2–5 (Bears)Canada Louick Marcotte62
20202020 and 2021 AIHL seasons were cancelled and not contested
2021
2022Played in 4 exhibition games after withdrawing from the 2022 regular season due to Western Australia border restrictions1
2023––––––––––––––––––––––
Totals220110–781616860743+117615821
1 2022 exhibition record: 4 games, 3 wins, 1 loss, 17 goals scored, 11 goals conceded. 2 additional games against Melbourne Mustangs in Perth were cancelled in mid July 2022.
ChampionsRunners-upThird place

Championships

1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions (0):
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2019
1st place, gold medalist(s) Premiers (0):
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up (2): 2016, 2017

Players

Current roster

Team roster for the 2022 exhibition games.[37][38]

Perth Thunder roster - 2022 exhibition games
Active RosterCoaching staff
Goaltenders
  • 33 Canada Corey Boutin
  •  1 Australia Charles Smart

Defencemen

  •  2 Australia Jamie Campbell
  • 21 Australia Jordan Grover
  •  3 Australia Robert Haselhurst
  •  4 Australia Joshua Healey
  •  8 Australia David Kudla
  • 15 Australia Lyndon Lodge
  • 25 Australia Alastair Punler
 Forwards
  • 36 Canada Benjamin Breault (C)
  • 42 Australia Liam Campbell
  • 24 New Zealand Andrew Cox
  • 26 Australia Luke Doyle
  • 17 Australia Liam Jeffries
  • 23 Australia Jordan Kyros
  • 28 Australia Riley Langille
  • 16 Australia Yannic Lodge
  • 55 Australia Reece Lukowiak
  • 26 New Zealand Jason McMahon
  •  7 Australia Jake Ruck
  • 14 Australia Shaun Tobin
  • 12 Australia Kieran Webster
 Head Coach
  • Canada Benjamin Breault

Coaches

Legend
(C) Captain
(A) Alternate Captain
(I) Import player

Statistics
Average age: TBD
Average height: TBD
Average weight: TBD
Locals: 22
Imports: 0

Last updated on: 27 January 2023
Elite Prospects

Former players

Player records

These are the top-ten all-time/career player records in franchise history, for the following categories: appearances,[39] goals,[40] assists,[41] points,[42] and penalty minutes[43]
Current as of 2019 AIHL season; figures are updated after each completed AIHL regular season.

All-time Apperiences
# Name Pos GP
1Australia Jordan KyrosF206
2New Zealand Andrew CoxF200
3Australia David KudlaD193
4Australia Jonathon BremnerF163
5Australia Jamie WoodmanD150
6Australia Robert HaselhurstD145
7Australia Samuel WilsonF139
8Australia Kieran WebsterF135
9Australia Tomas SakF127
10Canada Ben BreaultF110
All-time Goals
# Name Pos G
1Canada Ben BreaultF82
2New Zealand Andrew CoxF68
3Australia Jordan KyrosF49
4Canada Ken RolphF41
5Canada Jessyko BernardF38
6Australia Jonathon BremnerF38
7Australia Robert HaselhurstD34
8Australia Kieran WebsterF29
9Canada Pier GrandmaisonF28
10United States Phil GinandF26
All-time Assists
# Name Pos A
1Canada Ben BreaultF111
2Australia Jordan KyrosF98
3New Zealand Andrew CoxF84
4Australia Robert HaselhurstD78
5Australia David KudlaD55
6Canada Ken RolphF52
7Australia Samuel WilsonD51
8Canada Jessyko BernardF48
9Australia Jonathon BremnerF45
10Australia Jamie WoodmanD42
All-time Points
# Name Pos Pts
1Canada Ben BreaultF193
2New Zealand Andrew CoxF152
3Australia Jordan KyrosF147
4Australia Robert HaselhurstD112
5Canada Ken RolphF93
6Canada Jessyko BernardF86
7Australia Jonathon BremnerF83
8Australia Samuel WilsonF72
9Australia Kieran WebsterF68
10Canada Pier GrandmaisonF67
All-time Penalties
# Name Pos PIM
1Australia Bradley YoungF303
2Australia Robert HaselhurstD223
3New Zealand Andrew CoxF200
4Australia Jonathon BremnerF182
5Australia Greg HydeD161
6Sweden Daniel GöranssonD159
7Australia Alastair PunlerD149
8Australia Simon KudlaF139
9Australia Samuel WilsonD131
10Canada Keven VeilleuxF112

Team staff

Current as of 2019 AIHL season.[44]

Thunder staff
RoleName
Head coachAustralia David Ruck
Assistant coachAustralia Chris Kostopoulos
Team managerAustralia Richie Lamb
General managerUnited Kingdom Stan Scott

Leaders

Team captains

The first captain of the Perth Thunder was Samuel Wilson, who remained captain of the Western Australian team for five consecutive AIHL seasons. The Thunder have had a total of two captains in the team's history.[45]

No.NameTerm
1Australia Samuel Wilson2012–16
2Australia Jamie Woodman2017–Present

References:[46][47]

Head coaches

The first Head Coach for the Perth Thunder was Englishman Stan Scott.[48] The Thunder have had a total of five head coahces in the team's history.[49]

No.NameTerm
1United Kingdom Stan Scott2012–13
2Australia Dylan Forsythe2014
3United Kingdom Stan Scott (interim)2014
4Australia Dave Kenway2015–16
5Australia Dave Ruck2017–19
6Canada Ben Breault2020–Present

References:[50][51][52][53][54]

General managers

Perth Thunder's first and only general manager (GM) to date has been Stan Scott.[49]

No.NameTerm
1United Kingdom Stan Scott2012–Present

References:[50]

Broadcasting

Current:

  • Kayo Sports (2022 - present) – Domestic online video broadcasting in Australia as part of the league wide deal struck in the lead up to the 2022 AIHL season to show every AIHL game live. ATC Productions producing the streams.[55]
  • Sportradar (2022 - present) – International online video broadcasting in North America and Europe as part of a league-wide 3-year deal signed in March 2022 in the lead up to the 2022 AIHL season.[56]

Former:

  • Fox Sports (2013 – 2019) – Part of the entire AIHL domestic TV broadcasting deal with Fox Sports to show one game a round, normally on Thursdays at 4:30 pm or after NHL games during NHL season.[57]
  • Mixlr (2016) - In 2016, the Thunder self-broadcast an online audio stream of all home games at the Perth Ice Arena. The organisation used the audio streaming platform Mixlr to deliver the production.[58]
  • Facebook (2017 - 2019) - Between 2017 and 2019, select Perth Thunder home games were self-broadcast by live stream from the Perth Ice Arena in Malaga on Facebook.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Carpenter, Ross. "Scott, Stan ( – )". Legends of Australian Ice. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Melbourne Mustangs News". Melbourne Musttangs. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "About us". Perth Thunder. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "History of the Australian Ice Hockey League". Australian Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "Latest News". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  6. ↑ "Latest News". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Thundering into the AIHL". Melbourne Ice. Archived from the original on 20 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "Game Times". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  9. ↑ "Coaches Report Perth Thunder vs Newcastle". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  10. ↑ Watts, Ellie-Marie (22 October 2011). "Thunder Rolls Into AIHL". Australian Ice Hockey League. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Changes aplenty at AIHL AGM". The Other Hewitt. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  12. ↑ Rozleja, Michael (11 August 2012). "AIHL feature: Perth Thunder coach Stan Scott". www.prohockeynews.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "2011–2012 AIHL season standings". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "2012 Regular Season Standings". Australian Ice Hockey League. Archived from the original on 13 June 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  15. ↑ Robinson, Chris (30 August 2012). "Ken Rolph named club MVP at Perth Thunder awards night". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  16. ↑ Meister, Chris (4 September 2013). "Perth To Thunder The Finals". Hewitt Sports Network. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  17. ↑ Brodie, Will (5 September 2013). "Australian Ice Hockey League finals 2013: who will win and how". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  18. ↑ "North Stars into AIHL grand final". Newcastle Herald. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  19. ↑ Tonks, Craig (8 September 2013). "Fire in the Sky". Hewitt Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Robert Cox Invests in Thunders Vision". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "Dylan Forsythe Replaces Stan Scott as Thunder Head Coach". Ice Hockey News Australia. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "Perth Thunder coach steps down". On the Fly Hockey. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "2013–2014 AIHL standings". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  24. ↑ "AIHL: Bittersweet feeling for Newcastle Northstars coach John Kennedy Jr". Newcastle Star. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  25. ↑ Scardetta, Jordan (31 August 2019). "Thunder Progress to Goodall Cup Final". Perth Thunder. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  26. ↑ "2019 AIHL Goodall Cup Final Boxscore". Australian Ice Hockey League. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  27. ↑ Allen, Trevor (9 September 2019). "Bears shock rivals to claim Goodall Cup". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  28. ↑ "Thunder appoint Breault as head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Ruck steps down as Thunder head coach". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  30. ↑ Turik, David (12 March 2020). "AIHL Statement on the AIHL Season and the Coronavirus". Australian Ice Hockey League. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  31. ↑ "2020 Update: 2020 AIHL season cancelled". Australian Ice Hockey League. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  32. ↑ "2021 Season Update". Australian Ice Hockey League. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.[self-published]
  33. ↑ "AIHL to return in 2022". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "2022 AIHL schedule released". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  35. ↑ "Perth Thunder Club Update". Perth Thunder. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  36. ↑ "Perth Thunder withdraw from 2022 AIHL season". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  37. ↑ "2022 Perth Thunder Team Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "Perth Thunder". Australian Ice Hockey League. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  39. ↑ "Perth Thunder – All Time Regular Season Player Stats – GP". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  40. ↑ "Perth Thunder – All Time Regular Season Player Stats – G". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  41. ↑ "Perth Thunder – All Time Regular Season Player Stats – A". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  42. ↑ "Perth Thunder – All Time Regular Season Player Stats – TP". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  43. ↑ "Perth Thunder – All Time Regular Season Player Stats – PIM". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  44. ↑ "Perth Thunder 2018-2019". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  45. ↑ "Perth Thunder - Team Captaincy History". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  46. ↑ "Samuel Wilson". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  47. ↑ "Jamie Woodman". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  48. ↑ "Perth Thunder 2011–12 Season Roster". Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  49. 1 2 "Perth Thunder - Team Staff History". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  50. 1 2 "Stan Scott". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  51. ↑ "Dylan Forsythe". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  52. ↑ Kenway, Dave (9 November 2016). "Statement: Dave Kenway". Perth Thunder. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  53. ↑ "Club Statement: Dave Ruck". Perth Thunder. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  54. ↑ "Thunder appoint Breault as head coach". Ice Hockey News Australia. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  55. ↑ "2022 season - locked, loaded and ready to play". Australian Ice Hockey League. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  56. ↑ "AIHL partners with Sportradar". icehockeynewsaustralia.com. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  57. ↑ Brodie, Will (17 April 2013). "Ice hockey gets pay TV boost". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  58. ↑ "Perth Thunder Game Day Live". Perth Thunder. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
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