Captain Huxley to play 250th AIHL game on Saturday

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On Saturday afternoon, club legend David Huxley will step on the ice for the 250th time in an Adelaide Adrenaline uniform.

It will be a historic weekend as Huxley becomes just the 13th player to ever play 250 in the national league and only the third Adrenaline player.

On Sunday, when he plays game number 251, he will pass Josh Harding and become second on the all-time games played list.

In today's AIHL, the accomplishment is even more special with a demanding travel schedule, a job and a family to take care of. But Huxley has done it all with a smile on his face and become one of the most approachable personalities in the Aussie game. 

Huxley has played in the AIHL since 2005 as a 17-year-old and developed into one of the most reliable and respected players in the AIHL.

It's been a fantastic career for Huxley. He's represented Australia for six years at the senior level, five times as a junior, won a Goodall Cup and developed into a fantastic leader and captain of the club.

Huxley says the AIHL has changed in the last decade.

"I think the biggest difference in the past ten years would be the exposure the AIHL gets," he says. "Less and less people are saying they didn't know hockey was played [in Australia]."

All of that equals a lot more eyes on the rink, pressure and fun for the players. 

Huxley started playing for the Adrenaline in similar way to how players like Marcel McGuiness, Jake Riley, Remy McGuiness and Zach Boyle got their start. He was thrown into the fire as a 17-year-old high school kid playing in a league of players with tremendous skill. Some of them, like former teammate Steve McKenna, even had NHL experience. 

As he's got older, Huxley says he's become more of a leader who tries to make hockey fun.

"My role actually hasn't changed that much in the last three years. I'm still the guy the boys look to when we need the big goal," jokes Huxley, who averages just under two goals per season. "But in terms of being an 'older' guy on the team with a lot of younger players coming through, I'm just there to remind them there is life outside there phones, to have fun and keep the enjoyment in hockey." 

Photos: Above, Huxley celebrates in the 2009 AIHL finals. Top, Huxley was named Capain this year. Photo credit to Frank Kutsche

It's that kind of attitude that made him captain after longtime skipper Greg Oddy stepped down from his post before this season. 

"I've been really impressed with Hux this season," said head coach Sami Mantere in an earlier interview. "He always encourages the boys, pushes them and makes the room a fun place to be in. I think he'll play a key role in our future for a while."

Teammates and friends feel the same about Huxley. 

"He's a great player, teammate and leader and someone the guys really look up to," said Greg Oddy at the season launch and captain's presentation. "I hope he'll be captain well after his 300th game too."

But for Huxley it seems that everything is really about having fun, enjoying life and hockey while he can.

"The thing I like most about playing for the Adrenaline is being in the locker room with the guys after a win," he says. "When you and all your mates are having a laugh and a beer."

The Adrenaline will hope to steal a win and celebrate Huxley's 250th in style when they play the first place Melbourne Ice this weekend at home. 

Games are 4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday and tickets can be bought at www.trybooking.com/pftr.