Playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League is a massive commitment. It takes a lot of hours away from home, work and family life to volunteer to represent your city and put your body on the line each and every game.

David Huxley, Sean Greer and Graham Charbonneau have been three very dedicated and committed players to the Adelaide Adrenaline in the last decade, each making significant contributions to the team and community on and off the ice.

Sean Greer played 200 games for the club. David Huxley played 261 - tenth in AIHL history. While Graham Charbonneau didn't pile up the games like the others, he played a number of different roles off the ice in addition to his role as a player that were crucial to the club's stability. 

Unfortunately this season the three players have decided to step away from the Australian Ice Hockey League.

While this news will be sad for many fans and players that they are unable to join the team for 2018, the club is thankful for all they have done. They've taken some time to answer some questions below.

It's hard to sum up in one article all they have achieved but we will summarise the best we can below. 

DAVID HUXLEY

- 261 AIHL Games, all for the Adrenaline (second most in club history)

- 2017 Adrenaline captain

- 28 senior games for Australia

- Served in leadership group for years and as player representative on committee

- Represented Australia on 11 different occasions

- 2009 Goodall Cup Champion

Huxley is one of the most friendly personalities in the sport. He is always willing to talk to and thank every volunteer, fan and teammate for coming out and supporting the team.  We hope to see Hux back on the ice some time in the future. 

He will be there on opening night on April 28 to drop the puck and get the boys ready for the game. 

SEAN GREER
- 200 AIHL Games

- He financially backed the club for a number of years. Hards Transport is the company of his in-laws which Sean now plays a major role in. Instrumental in rallying the team for fundraisers and community events.

- 10 senior games for Australia

- 2009 Goodall Cup Winner

Greersy is a great personality and easy to get along with. He poured his heart, soul and time into the club for over a decade. If the club was in trouble, Greer was there to help. And you didn't want to mess with him on the ice...

We'll see Sean on opening weekend!

GRAHAM CHARBONNEAU
- Member of Adrenaline for last four seasons

-Was named assistant captain for his tremendous hockey knowledge, IQ and leadership

- Led the redesign of Adrenaline logo and jerseys in 2016.  Designed everything from game day programs to pamphlets

- Helped recruit sponsors for the club

- Coached the team for brief stints in 2016

- Known for his solid game and had memorable moments on the ice including putting a player over the boards and in the crowd.  

While he doesn't have the same games played or points, Charbonneau was a huge contributor to the club over the last four seasons. From playing, to coaching, to designing, to recreating jerseys, to helping organise off-ice sessions, Charbonneau was a player people looked up to. 

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It's hard to thank these players enough for all they did and all they poured back into the community. We will miss seeing them on the ice but we also know we have a promising group junior players and some other guys are ready to step up into their roles. 

If you see any of the former players around the rink this season please go and thank them for all they did, purchase them a beverage and talk about hockey.

For a full Q and A with each player, and why they chose to step away, read below.

Once again...thank you Sean. Thank you Charbs. Thank you Hux. We will see you on opening day cheering on the boys at the rink! If you see them, make sure you go buy them a drink and thank them for all they have done!

Adelaide Adrenaline (AA): Why have you made a decision to step away from hockey in the AIHL?

Hux - I have made the decision to stop playing in the AIHL because Kelly (my wife) and I are expecting our first child at the beginning of the season. With the travel and commitment needed I did not think I could commit 100%. If I can't be all in it's hard to compete at this level.

Graham - I thought the time was right for a multitude of reasons. Parker, my son, was born at the beginning of last season, so I wanted to be able to spend more time with him, and my family. My business has also been growing rapidly over the last few years and concentrating on my business has also become a priority. It was also time to step aside, after all I am 35 (36 on April 10th), and give some of the younger players an opportunity to play, and an opportunity to establish themselves in the league. 

Sean -  Due to growing work commitments with two of my businesses it makes it hard. Of course there is also the birth of my beautiful daughter Maple. You can tell by the name of her how much I love the sport. I'll miss it! 


AA: Do you have any specific memory that really stands out from your time with the team? If so, what is it?

Hux - I've been lucky enough to play for such a long time. It's hard to pick a moment that really stands out but I think you'd have to choose that moment and feeling of being in the room with the boys. No particular win. Any of them would do. 

Graham -  There isn’t a specific moment, or memory that stands out. It really is a collective of memories, all the time spent in the room, on the ice and on the road with the boys. I know it gets said a lot, but we really are a family, and any time spent with family creates great memories. 

Sean - I would have to say winning the cup with boys in 2009 in Newcastle. 

AA: What will you miss most about playing for the Adrenaline?

Hux - I will miss being around the team. I will miss getting to play around the country and travelling with the team. I will really miss playing in front of our home fans - that's what I will miss the most. 

Graham - I will miss my hockey family. I will miss going into battle with boys every weekend.

Sean - Honestly I will miss the road trip with the boys and the banter in the room. It makes it a little bit easier to step away from the family and your life when you have good guys and mates in the room around you. I also will miss the "Adrenaline" you feel when the anthem finishes in front of the home crowd and you're ready to play.  

AA: For any younger player entering the competition, what advice do you have for them?

Hux: My advice is simple. Enjoy the experience. Don't take any moment for granted.

Graham -  Hockey is a game of respect, which may sound odd to the non hockey players out there, but if you want to earn the respect of other players, teams and officials you have to show them that respect first. Work harder than everybody else and you will never have a reason to hang your head. More importantly than all, have fun, don’t ever forget that hockey is a game, and the only reason you ever started playing was because it was fun, don’t lose that. 

Sean - Listen to the guys around you. Pay attention. Go to all the team events. Have a BBQ with your teammates. Go watch some NHL games on TV. Have some team dinners. It all helps build chemistry. These mates will be your best friends for the rest of your life. Oh, and get as much Ice Time as possible in the week. 

AA: You've played for years with a full time job and life outside the rink. With Adrenaline time "freed" up what will you use it for?

Hux - I'm not sure if there will be any "free" time. I'm looking forward to becoming a father and I'm exciting to spend some more time with my family. Outside of that, I'd like to play a little bit of golf. I'm also playing in the local hockey league with the Blackhawks and we have already delivered Sami's team a devastating loss.

Graham - My family. I am looking forward to spending weekends on the road, camping, and enjoying this beautiful country with my son Parker, my wife Lucy and my dog Nelly.

Sean - I'll be focusing on music and family. I'll go to some more gigs and play more guitar!

PS (From Graham) - You might see me with a coach's hat on in the future!