Gebert pushing for return to Adrenaline

Seventeen years worth of hockey experience is set to rejoin the Adelaide Adrenaline for the 2017 season, with defenseman Ben Gebert trying out for the team in an AIHL comeback attempt.

Having started playing inline hockey in 1998, and ice hockey in 1999, Gebert has played almost 100 games for Adrenaline in an career that stretches back to 2002.

This is the fourth time he has come back to play for the team and the reason is simple; he misses it.

“I miss playing hockey, I miss playing with the boys,” Gebert said.

“Plus I’m 30 now, I figure I’ve only got a few more years left in me and I don’t want to have any regrets in five years time thinking I should have played.”

Gebert’s return to the team is timely given the amount of young players on the team.

His experience will be instrumental to their development, “with a number of the older guys leaving to start families, there’s not enough experience so I am trying to give back,” Gebert said.

For Gebert, it is important that there is a transition made between the older players and the younger ones, “ we are all getting a bit older and don’t have too many years left, so have to do the right thing for the club otherwise the kids won’t know what to do.”

The other role Gebert is hoping to fill is the defenseman position.

With a number of young forwards coming through but not many young defenders, there is a need for it and Gebert hopes that will make it easier for him to make the roster, “having a role to fill gives me a better shot for me being able to play.”

Since returning, Gebert has noticed a big difference since he was last on the team.

He has never started training this early in the year, never been involved in off ice training and never had so many young players to train with.

Gebert said this means there is a different vibe from the older players as well, as they are helping out and encouraging a lot more than in previous years.

“The older blokes that aren’t known for voicing encouragement or help during the trainings have been doing an amazing job with that this year with so many younger guys around,” he said.

“It inspires the others to do it as well.”

Not only does Gebert want to bring his defensive skills and experience back to the team, he also wants to highlight the importance of a positive attitude.

Despite the team being part of a serious league, he said, the players need to enjoy the hockey.

“I watched a couple of games last year, and sometimes the players seemed down, and I know that when you’re losing it is hard but this year the team needs to mesh together more as a group.”

“It is so important to enjoy playing and playing for each other, to bring back the fun and to have a laugh with each other.’

Despite is being a building phase for the Adrenaline, Gebert knows that once everyone understands their roles, it will click.

“The experienced guys are learning to stand up as leaders and adjust to their new roles and the young kids are finding their feet.”

“The kids have shown their commitment is definitely there, they’ve come to every training and shown us how unbelievably fit they are, Marcel and Remy McGuiness especially.”

“It’s just a matter of giving them ice time and the support, and the team will improve.”

Gebert has not only been an important member of the Adrenaline team, but he and his father are an integral part of the South Australian ice hockey community.

They have owned and managed the Power Play Sports ice and inline hockey store for 17 years in Adelaide.

After starting of at the Park Community Centre, they have been based in the Ice Arena for the last 12 years and are now “part of the furniture there”.

The shop does skate sharpening, sells equipment and now has also opened an online store selling products interstate.

“We started that halfway through last year and it has taken off massively, it’s keeping us busy which is great.”

Gebert lives and breathes ice hockey, and his return to Adrenaline is a welcome addition due to the experience and positive attitude he brings back with him.