2016 - Farewell. 2017 - Welcome.

With 2016 officially in the books, we thought we would look back at some of the highlights, and low-lights of last season.

We were off to a good preseason before getting the news that none of us wanted to hear, we may not have ice, and with that, a season. Thankfully, the South Australian Government chipped in, and some hard work from the South Australian Ice Sports Federation meant we would hit the ice in 2016!

We went into our first game, on one of the largest rinks in Australia not having skated on anything close to regulation size ice. Off season roster changes meant that many of these guys hadn’t played together before, but what followed turned out to be a perfect metaphor for our season. We took it to the Melbourne Ice, holding the lead through the game before a cruel rebound off of the face of Gab O’Connor with 1:04 on the clock cost us the game.

We would go on to lose a total of 12 games by one goal (including four in overtime), and a total of 6 wins, finishing bottom of the table for the first time in the clubs existence. 

But it wasn’t all bad news. Season 2016 proved more than ever that the Adrenaline really are a community club. Our fans stepped up week after week, with sell out crowds coming back despite the on ice results. We only gave you one win at home, but the fact that you stuck by us makes us immensely thankful, and hope to repay that dedication.

There was the brilliant idea of hosting an outdoor game on the River Torrens, how good would that have been!

We saw several rookie players take the ice, including the youngest players to debut in the AIHL, Jake Reilly and Marcel McGuiness, who all showed promising signs for the future of the club.

We said “See You Later” to Australia’s greatest ever defenseman, and club legend, Josh Harding, who clocked up his 250^h game before hanging up the skates.

Wehebe Darge had another outstanding year, capped off by being awarded the AIHL Most Valuable Player. In addition to this, he took home a swag of awards at the Adelaide Adrenaline Awards Night, and became the first Australian player to score 20 goals in back to back seasons. He surpassed Greg Oddy’s record of 50 points in a single season with a pair of assists in the final game of the year, finishing with 52 points, and fell agonisingly short of becoming the youngest player to score 100 goals, currently sitting at 98.

With all of that behind us, it is hard not to be optimistic for this season. We have a new coach in Sami Mantere taking the reigns. We have a new logo, and new jerseys. Inside the team there are some new additions, with baby Greer and Charbonneau on the way. There are a heap of young kids working hard to be a part of the team, and this will only push the senior guys harder.

2017 – This year we have something to prove, and we want you along for the ride.

#onebeat