The Weekly Faceoff is a regular column talking about all things Tongues, in and around the AIHL.
Div II Group A World Championships
In case you didn’t hear the cheers rising from down south, Team Australia won the Gold at the Div II Group A World Championships this last weekend. Representing the Blue Tongues on the Aussie team was local favorite Dave Upton. While I do wish the Kiwis had finished better (i’m a Kiwi, would you expect any less), I would like to offer my congratulations to Team Australia for a fantastic result.
Mike “Basil” McRae
Mike McRae was impressive for the Tongues last season, putting up 27G and 20A on the season, leading the Tongues in both goals and points. We were therefore very pleased to hear that McRae is returning to the Tongues for the 2011 AIHL season. Last year many fans coined Mike “Basil” as a sign of respect, a reference to NHL legend Basil McRae. Mike has been playing alongside Matt Amado during intersquad games, and has looked very good.
Around The League
Teams around the league have been naming their import players over the last few weeks. Adelaide have a very strong team on paper, and look to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Newcastle have the return of AIHL scoring leader Brian Bales and Peter Cartright and wont be an easy team to get past, especially with Ezzy coming off a good run at the Worlds. The Mustangs are the dark horse of the league, but their roster lacks depth so how they do is anybodys guess. All eyes will be on the Ice vs Mustangs matchups, as the derby matches are sure to breed a great rivalry between the two clubs.
The Ice and Mustangs open the 2011 AIHL season this Thursday 14th April.
The Weekly Faceoff is a regular weekly blog talking about all things Tongues, in and around the AIHL.
The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues have had a busy few weeks preparing for the start of the 2011 AIHL Season.
Signed Imports
The Blue Tongues made 2 new announcements in the last week or so. The first was the return off Alex Boyd to the lineup for 2011. Alex is currently playing Rugby in Canada but will return for the start of the season. Also named to the season were 6 key local players; Dave Upton, Cam Trew, Ben Spillane, Marco Bertossa, Ross Howell and Brad Young.
Bartercard Naming Rights
Just today the Blue Tongues announced the return of Bartercard as the primary / naming rights sponsor for the team.
Intersquad Games
Get a glimpse of the 2011 Blue Tongues before the season starts at the 6 pre-season intersquad games which have been scheduled. These 6 games will see the Blue Tongues battle it out against each other as part of their training / team selection process. Last seasons games were exciting and gave a good view of what the team could bring down the road. Dates are listed on the Blue Tongues official website.
I know this isn’t really breaking news, but we wanted to congratulate Dave Upton on being named to the Hockey Roo’s in 2011.
Dave has been a valued member of the Blue Tongues since he was 15 and has proven to be not just a strong physical body on the ice who can score and play both ends of the ice, but a fantastic guy off the ice.
We wish Dave the best of luck in 2011 and look forward to seeing him once again put on the Blue Tongues jersey come the start of the AIHL season.
The long dark now approaches. That painfully long period between the end of one season and the start of another. Sure, we have local hockey to keep us entertained and the NHL season kicks off in just a few weeks, but for the hardcore AIHL fan, this period is rather hard to take most years.
The 2010 season was one of ups and downs for the Blue Tongues. We saw some huge improvements from many of the local players, most notably Cam Trew who was standout most games and the return of favorites Dave Upton and Mark “smitty” Smith.
Luke Fiveash saw some great time in net up until Kalleitner was signed and regular locals Ross “Rosco” Howell and Ben “Tick Tock” Spillane were as solid as always, although fans would rather see the coach play Ben as a solid player rather than the grinder/enforcer role he appears to have been lumped with.
The 2011 season is a long way off but many of us, we’re already looking forward wondering what to expect. What imports will the Tongues bring in, what will local players bring to the game next season.
Will see see a change in game style maybe? New changes on or off the ice? These are all questions that go through a fans mind during the “long dark” of the off-season.
One thing is certain though.. we can’t wait for 2011 to get here!
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.
