The Gold Coast Blue Tongues website announced yesterday that Coach Kevin Sands is stepping down from his role on the team due to work commitments. His replacement will be former Queensland representative Peter Nixon. Nixon, who was a member of the last Queensland team to win the Goodall Cup in 1977 brings with him a wealth of experience and passion for the sport.
Sands has coached the team for the 3 years since relocating to the Gold Coast in 2008. Under his leadership the team made the playoffs in 2009 for the first time in franchise history. We wish to thank Kevin for his time with the team and wish him well with his new work.
A year ago Brad Smulders lit the AIHL up on the score sheet, setting an impressive 76 points AIHL record in the process. His 33 Goals and 43 Assists helped the Tongues make their first ever finals appearance.
Last weekend that record was beaten, not just by 1 player but 2, from the same club.
Brian Bales & Peter Cartwright have been standout imports for the Newcastle North Stars all season, helping them finish as regular season premiers and once again be a strong contender for the cup. Last weekend while the Blue Tongues were in Newcastle for their final 2 games of the season, the Bales / Cartwright duo turned a depleted and under-manned Blue Tongues squad into new AIHL records.
In the 2 games over the weekend Bales put up 5 goals and 8 assists putting him on 81 points (30G 51A) , well past Smulders’ previous record. Cartwright put up 7 goals and 8 assists on the weekend giving him a season total of 78 points (36G 42A). Cartwright also set a new North Stars goal scoring record, passing the previous record of 35 goals set by BJ Pelkey in 2008. The current AIHL goal scoring record is held by Matt Amado of the Brisbane Blue Tongues in 2007.
Congratulations go out to both Bales and Cartwright for their accomplishment.
The level of quality of players is increasing each year in the AIHL and no doubt Bales new record will be challenged and beaten by someone else at some point in time.
Congratulations also to the Blue Tongues 15 year old rookie netminder Nick Novysedlak who was thrown in the deep end this last weekend against a very strong North Stars squad. Nick played with great poise and positioning and sent a message that he is a player to watch out for in the future. Nick is the son of Blue Tongues veteran netminder, Milan Novysedlak.
As fans of the AIHL we are used to seeing import players come and go each season. It’s not so often however that we find ourselves saying farewell to long-term local players, a position Blue Tongues fans find themselves in now with the departure of #96, Dave Upton, who is pursuing a Rugby Union career.
Dave Upton
Dave Upton is one of those guys who can only be described as a freak. Naturally talented at most sports, Dave smashed his way into the AIHL with the Brisbane Blue Tongues at the age of 15, the youngest player ever to play in the league to date. Since then fans have watched Dave grow, not just as an extremely talented hockey player, but as a person.
There are many highlight reel moments over the years including amazing goals, blazing speed and some of the best checking and hittin the Blue Tongues have seen. Fans may remember the massive open ice hit Dave put on a Central Coast Rhino a few years ago in brisbane, or the countless times Dave’s passion and determination shone through as he worked hard to carry the team back into games.
It is fitting and pleasing then to know that Dave’s last game as a Blue Tongue was also a historical one; the Blue Tongues first ever AIHL finals game, a game that was the culmination of 5 years hard work, determination and pure grit by players such as Dave Upton.
Dave Upton’s hit on a Rhino’s player. We apologise for the video quality.
Dave’s departure from the Blue Tongues leaves more than just an empty roster spot, it leaves a “Davie shaped hole” in the very heart of the team, as one fan was recently quoted as saying. A lineup without Dave Upton wont feel like a proper Blue Tongues lineup.
We would like to thank Dave for the time and effort he has put into this team over the last 5 years, and want to express how deeply we appreciate the memories he have given us. Whereever the future takes Dave, we know he will excel and do well.
So to #96, Dave Upton; farewell and thank you for the memories.
