Already with five of the top six scorers from the AJIHL season signed to the Adrenaline for 2018, the Adrenaline have added another young piece to the puzzle.
The club has announced that Queensland forward Harley Anderson will join the team on a six-game trial to start the season, and will look to make an impression to stick with the Adrenaline.
"We're committed to growing the club in the future and there are some strong players in Queensland," says president Eric Balnar. "We're all curious to see what Harley brings to the table."Anderson put up nice numbers in the Australian Junior Ice Hockey League season by tallying 11 points in 10 games to finish just outside the top 10 in scoring.
The Adrenaline already have six players who finished in the top 10 in scoring on their roster, including five in the top six in Ryan Foll, Zach Boyle, Corey Stringer, Nathaniel Benson and Brad Chenoweth.
Anderson first impressed with the Queensland State Team that won the 2017 Open Men's Tournament in the spring.
"The QLD Mens team this year was special because everyone had the same goal, to win the gold," he says. "At the tournament everyone was on the same page, focused and really switched on which helped us win for sure."
Harley says he hopes he can bring that winning edge to the Adrenaline.
"I like to think of myself as a two way player that puts in work at both ends of the ice. I like to score but have been taught that a nice assist is better than a selfish goal. I really focus on making sure no goals are scored against when I'm on the ice because good offence often comes from good defense," he says.
Queensland does not have a team in the AIHL so it's a big opportunity for Harley to not only represent himself, but the state.
"I definitely feel like I have to prove that I am capable of playing at the AIHL level. I was never picked for Australian Junior teams and think I need to show that players from QLD are capable of playing at a high level. Fans can expect to see me put in 100%. As a young player I want to make sure i'm putting in 100% effort for the team and just play my style of hockey," he says.
Harley adds that Queensland hockey is progressing rapidly with a full contact league, four solid teams and a strong junior team in the AJIHL.
"There are definitely players that would be at the level to play in the AIHL," he says. "In the Browns team this year I think most of those guys have played or could play the the level required."
QUICK SHOTS
Favourite Film: American Sniper
Favourite Pre Game Meal: Tuna Pasta
Profession: Finance - Secured Retention officer
Favourite NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks
Favourite NHL Player: Bo Horvat
How did you get into hockey: My dad played
Last song listened to on iPod: The Hills - RL Grime remix
