IIHF Coaching Course

Darryl Easson, Sport Development Manager of the IIHF spent a week in Cape Town with the players and head coaches of SAIHA namely Ronnie Wood (WP), Kieren Edge (Natal) and Eddie Compton(JHB).Darryl was kind enugh to step onto the ice and run a practise for the u18 and senior team on the Tuesday night which was a great experience.
Darryl's main objective while here was to run a coaches coaching course and Level 1 coaching course for those who were interested. The coaches coaching course took place during the week with the level one course taking place over the majority of the weekend. The SAIHA head coaches assisted Darryl in the teaching and presentation of the course material.
Friday and Saturday was in the classroom with a section on Sunday morning being on the ice for hands-on experience with Darryl, Ronnie and Eddie. Our main focus "on ice" was correct utlization of the ice, ensuring all kids are activaly busy for the entire practise and that they were being run through the correct basic techniques.
This course was an outstanding success and a great thank you do Mr Darryl Easson for his time, effort and stories.

TEAM SA vs WP int ALLSTARS

If you were at the last one you wont want to miss this one...

2010 Pre-season is underway

As practise commenced on Sunday 21 February and with 60+ eager kids to get on...

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Under 18's World Champs

Monterrey, Mexico was the destination for the IIHF Under 18 Div III World Championships where SA was to take to the ice against New Zealand, Ireland, Israel and hosts' Mexico.

To cut a long story short (and cause you can read the game reports below under the NEWS HEADLINES) the U18 SA Teens werent only up against ice hockey teams, they also had a run-in with Mexico's law-enforcement and drug cartel, where a shoot out took place. Luckily none of the team were injured but were rather shaken by the incident. This Mexican bus driver was a quick thinker and managed to get the bus and the passengers out of harms way.

Back to the hockey, South Africa pulled off an awesome win in their final game to take home the Bronze medal. The team arrived back in South Africa on Monday night (22 March 2010) to a group of tearing mothers and supportors. Well done!

TEAM SA, Senior Worlds

The Senior National Team recently returned from the IIHF World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia having played 5 international games against Georgia, Armenia, North Korea and Mongolia.

The SA team consisting of 12 from Cape Town did their country proud as they came back with the Bronze medal, beating Mongolia in the medal round of the tournament. Going for gold and with only 50 seconds left in their game against Korea, Team SA were in the running to play Armenia again in the gold medal game, but luckily for the Koreans the puck bounced off the boards and with a lucky break Korea took the game.

Although hopes were for gold, the bronze medal was a decent result along with long term goals for 2011 and 2012 championships. This young team proved that they can compete at international level and the future looks good for Team SA in the future.

ALLSTAR ICE HOCKEY 2010

A league on its own, and definitely making its mark on the local sports enthusiasts...

A truely awesome time was spent on the ice over a 3 day period with this sensational hockey player, coach and stickhandler.

Sean taught two groups of players, junior&ladies and senior, with an awesome responce. Below is a video that has been compiled from the final days training on ice for the juniors.

Sean Skinner is coming to Cape Town to host a hockey clinic from Tuesday 1 June to Thursday 3 June 2010. Known as Mr Stickhandling all over the world, it is a great honour to host Sean and have him on the ice teaching us his fabulous skills.
To all hockey players, this is one that you do not want to miss. Ice times are as follows:

Ladies and Juniors up to U16
Wednesday, 2nd June - 06:00 - 08:00am
Thursday, 3rd June - 18:30 - 19:45pm

Seniors
Tuesday, 1st June - 21:00 - 23:00pm
Thursday, 3rd June - 06:00 - 08:00am
Thursday, 3rd June - 22:30 - Midnight

Please note:
We understand that these ice times are still during school time but these are the only times available and we could not give up this opportunity to host such a great skilled stick-handling coach. The cost of this clinic is R100 and is to be paid before climbing onto the ice.

...and for those of you who dont know who Sean Skinner is and what he can do, check out these YouTube videos below:

The time has come and a long awaited ALL STAR match up between the long rivals Cape Town's Western Province All Star team and the International Invitational All Stars.
The International All Star team have been dominating over the past couple meetings but this time should be different. The Cpt team consisting of many of the players that represented SA in the latest World Champs are confident that they will take it this time and definitely going to be a crowd pleaser!!!
For more information about this, check out the events listing above.

As the tournament officially began on Wednesday 14th, SA's opening game was played against the host country Armenia. With tons of conversation about the illegal American players that were rostered in the Armenian team, the SA team was ready to rock and roll no matter who stepped out onto the ice.

Game 1: SA vs Armenia
The opening game of the tournament and a packed arena. 8000 rather hostile Armenians took to the stands to support their home team of local and American players. The game got underway with Armenia having an edge on the majority of the game. It was aparent that the American imports for the Armenian team gave them the edge as they skated at speed and led to the end with a poor reflection of the game, winning 9 - 2.
SA played to the final whistle giving the imports a heavy shift by finishing off their hits and pounding away at their shamefull excuse of a true national team. The Armenian crowd conducted themselves truely patheticlly with unsportsmanlike behaviour with silly stunts like blowing ref's whistle from the crowd during play and interrupting the game. This only made SA stronger!

Game 2: SA vs Mongolia
SA took control from the start of the game and dominated all over the ice. Mongolia skated as hard as they could and put up a good fight but ended in a 12-1 loss for Mongolia.

Game 3: SA vs Korea
SA's most important game of the tournament and the team definitely turned up. First shift on the ice and Korea were not looking so confident anymore. Play was all over the ice but with Korea slightly dominating in puck control and with seconds to go in the first, Korea ended the period 2 - 0. Second period underway and SA scores a quick goal after the puck drop to give them hope. SA then scores 2 more goals and are leading the Korean's by 1 goal.
But the Korean team came back and scored in the next shift, once again leveling the scoreline. This game went right to the final whistle, with SA now dominating the ice and putting pressure on the Korean's with ample scoring chances. With 90 seconds left and on a power play, SA sets up in the Korean zone and moving the puck nicely, with a pressured play and an unfortunate bounce on the blue line, Korea gets a break away and scores with 15 seconds left. Korea wins 4 - 3.

Game 4: SA vs Mongolia - Bronze Medal game
Definitely not the game that SA wanted to be playing in for the medal rounds, but a game none the less. After alot of hockey and rather tired players, SA struggled for the first 2 periods and allowed Mongolia to score a couple goals but the third period saw SA dominate as usual and run away with the scoring. SA wins and is awarded the Bronze medal.

Well after a rather long and tedious trip, cpt > jhb - jhb > paris - paris > yerevan, we landed at approximately 8pm (which is 5pm SA time). with a slight passport and visa mishap leaving one of the players stranded at the airport, the rest of the team made their way to the ice arena and hotel.

We were rather pleasently surprised when we were escorted by police (flashing lights and all) from the airport until we ended up at our home (well for the 10 days anyways...). All the players were rather spelbound at the surroundings with many having varied comments and views on the city and views. Some good and some bad, but loads of jokes, laughter and an awesome team spirit on the luxury team bus.

The arena although looking rather outstanding from the outside, was not all together coposetic (sorry about spelling but such a cool word), with rough ice, zamboni drivers that dont realise the zamboni has a blade to clean the ice, little carpets from the change rooms to the bench and divits on the ice that can cause havoc as was seen in our warm up game against Georgia this afternoon.

Unfortunately the live streaming has not been set up as yet, with many more things still to be completed at the venue. Our first game was faceoff at 4pm where the first period saw SA take the Georgian's apart. Looking rather professional on the ice and in control of the puck, from 5 on 5 to effortless PowerPlays SA ended 5 - 0 up after P1.

If only things could have remained in that form, P2 was not as productive as the Georgian team put some defensive techniques into practice and after alot of digging managed to score on SA ending the 2nd period 2-1, in favour of SA. You could say that the changeroom was not too much of a pleasant place to be, with the occassional waterbottle or furniture piece flying accross the room... Ill leave it at that...

P3 was not too much greater as SA only managed 1 more goal ending the game 8 - 1. Georgia played a rather scrappy game with piling their 5 players in front of the net and making it a rather frustrating game to play. Gareth Millar was awarded the MVP for the SA team and then we heard our national anthem being blasted over the venues rather adiquet sound system. We are sure to hear that song a couple times more and are getting ready on a rather tough but enjoyable and competitive tournament.

Armenia will be playing against Georgia tomorrow night at 7pm and we will be there to scope out our competition... SA's next game will take place on the opening day of the WC on Wednesday at 8pm (SA 5pm)

With the popularity of social networks like facebook and Mxit, developments for the growth of ice hockey in South Africa is branching out in various forms.

Live score updates by IIHF website during international competitions, a new addition which is being showcased at the 2010 April tournament with ONLINE LIVE VIEWING of all the games and finally a SA community online ice hockey chat.

This chat is currently embedded in 3 ice hockey websites throughout RSA namely, SAIHA, WPIHA (Western Province Ice Hockey Association) and fromtheice

The link between the sites is to bring the hockey community together and allow people to chat about ice hockey (games, practising, tours, players, fans, sponsorship, etc) and grow the sport with more and more people coming online to chat.

We hope that you show your support and invite people to chat online at our very own ice hockey chat.

No this is not a hoax nor a competition to enter to tag along as a supporter with an all expences paid vacation, it's better!

With the interest of International Ice Hockey in mind, and offering a service to the entire ice hockey community, Marc Giot (this sounds kinda odd to write as I am not writing in 3rd person) has arranged with, and been given permission by the IIHF to do a trial set-up and online broadcast of the upcoming Senior World Champs taking place in Armenia from 14 - 19 April 2010.

This means that anyone, from anywhere in the world will be able to log onto the IIHF website and watch the entire tournament via an internet connection. As Marc (I) will be playing in the tournament, there will be some organising and preperation with broadband and technical set up at the arena including the filming of the games, but with great backing from the IIHF, SAIHA and Team SA this WILL be a success.

With looking to the future, not too distant, it would be a goal to see more ice hockey from IIHF tournaments online so that everyone can watch more hockey!!! Questions or queries - click to email

Well, just from the leading it sounds like a MUST READ!!! Here is a news report from NEWS24.COM

"Cape Town - South Africa's under-18 ice hockey team are reportedly shocked after being caught up in a shootout between police and gunmen belonging to a drug cartel while on tour in Mexico on Friday. 

The Cape Times reported on Tuesday that the team had to dive for cover when their team bus landed in the middle of a fierce gun battle while leaving a practice session in Monterrey, Mexico's second-largest city. 

The driver encountered a barricade of two abandoned buses blocking the road and moments later, military trucks screamed past. They then heard gunshots and everybody dived for cover. The driver managed to get them away from the scene. 

The team – which includes 10 players from the Western Cape – were in Mexico to take part in the2010 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 World Championship Division III at the Monterrey Ice Complex. 

The team's assistant manager, Steve Johnson, told the Cape Times they were "in the middle of what appeared to be a shootout betwee3n police and other people. Police were chasing them. It happened a few cars ahead of us. Everybody took cover and we were all a bit shocked".

Despite the incident, the South African team won a bronze in the competition, which ended on Sunday. 

According to AP, gang members involved in notorious drug cartels blocked more than 30 roads in the city over a 24-hour period."

- News24

Click here to view the actual article

The final game of the tournament for SA was against Israel, and this was for the bronze medal. Going into the game, Israel were the favourites, but does that mean anything ???

First period got underway and 28 seconds into the game, Baden Best scores off Uthman Samaai and put the SA team on the board. 7 minutes later Uthman Samaai scores off a feed from Baden Best (roles reversed) and SA are now on their way to a clean victory, but at 11 mins into period 1 Sean Cooper scores Israel's first goal and the period runs out at 2-1.

Second period proved to be rather a rough one with the two teams racking up 20 mins in penalties between them, but at 34 mins into the game, Uthman Samaai scores yet again to secure a 3-1 score against Israel.

Third period seemed to be all Israel though and in the nick of time, they came back to tie the game with 2 goals from Sean Cooper, the last with just over a minute. Game goes into overtime...

Overtime is played for 5 minutes with 4 on 4, but stil no score, which now means penalty shootout! And to top it off, and the man of the hour, scoring the final and game winning goal for SA, Uthman Samaai.

Final score: South Africa 4 - 3 Israel

The third game for SA u18, and they see themselves 1-1 (1 loss, 1 win). Going into this game they are very focused and ready to rock n roll.

Straight off the bat Jade Johnson puts away a shot on goal assisted by Russell van Heyningen & Cai Nebe, SA 1 - 0 NZL @ 03:08. New Zealand manages to outshoot SA with 16 shots on goal - 10, but first period ends with SA in the lead, 1-0.

2nd period gets underway in NZL's favour with 2 quick goals scored by Gareth Lloyd. A checking from behind penalty ending up in a 2+10 call, gave NZL an edge to lead the scoring 2 - 1. 31:04 NZL's Quinn Drake is sent to the penalty box with a high sticking call and gives SA a chance to level up the score. And they do, Russell van Hyningen scored with Baden Best assisting, 2 - 2, but 1 minute later Conner Harrison (NZL) scores to put them back on top. As if that was not bad enough, 80 seconds before the end of the period, Gareth Lloyd scores to put NZL up by 2 goals, 4-2.

3rd period and all in the 44th minute, 3 penalties are awarded, 1 to NZL and 2 to SA. And yet another penalty to SA allowing a power play goal from Gareth Lloyd to put NZL in a greater distance, 5-2. Glory is looking rather distant for the SA team now. With SA trying to get back into the game, at 48:48 they picked up an interference call on Baden Best with NZL also a penalty on Nicholas Gloag for roughing.
The final whistle goes and NZL turns with hands on hearts to see their national flag and hear their anthem.

New Zealand 5 - 2 South Africa

Well now I have something to write about! Midnight our time or 4pm Mexico time, and on St Paddy's Day, The u18 SA team took on Ireland in their 2nd game of the tournament.
After South Africa went down to Mexico 4 - 2 on Monday night, this was their chance to step up and take what was infront of them. Although I was not at the game, I have some insight or memories that went through my head as I have too been there.

The smell of the rink, spectators, world championships underway and face off. SA started the game off with Adam De Carvalho in net and the last line of defense against Ireland. At 01:09 Luke Carlse gets a 2 min penalty for tripping, but Ireland still cannot get on the scoreboard until 6 minutes into the game when Brendan Saunders scores with a go-ahead goal, IRL 1 - 0 RSA.
7 Minutes later, goalscorer Brendan Saunders, gets a 2 min hooking penalty and in SA's first power play Uthman Samaai scores to level the playing field, 1-1.

Second period got underway rather heavily with IRL playing physical but being called for 3 penalties in the first 6 minutes with 1 being a 2 + 10 for "checking from behind" and a misconduct penalty. Luke Carlse didnt waste time and scored the go-ahead goal to put his team on top, RSA 2 - 1 IRL. Chad Williams and Heiko Meyer score the 3rd and 4th goal for SA in the 28th and 33rd minute respectively.

Third period and 44 mins into the game, IRL's Adam Patience brings his team back within 1 when he scores but was it too little too late? From here on out it was all SA! First from Russell Heyningen at 47 mins, and then Uthman Samaai at 51 mins, which left the score at 6 - 2.
With 8 minutes left SA gets a team penalty with "too many players on the ice" but IRL doesnt capitalize. Russell Heyningen strikes again at 55:31 to sign the final score in stone! SA win 7 goals to 2.

SA's next game is against New Zealand which is taking place on Friday at 7:30pm (Mexico Time).

The under 18 South African team played their first game against Mexico (in Monterrey, Mexico) at 03:30am this monring (our time).

Sadly I was not there to watch and report on the game but what I could pick up from is that SA took their time to get into the game and get use to the speed. 3 penalties on SA was the cause of the lead up to the first Mexican goal. As you can see by the game reports below, Mexico won the first 2 periods and SA came back in the 3rd to take it 2-1. Unfortunately it was too late and Mexico took the game 4 - 2.

Never-the-less the South African team played a great game and is looking forward to the rest of their tournament. You can follow them here http://www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18-iiib/statistics.html

New "look & feel" or facelift is the normal terms, but whatever it is called you are now looking at it. From the initial index (front page) you can see what information will be available to you on a daily and weekly basis.
To list them... Overall league stats, News headlines, Ice time schedule, Player Profiles and more. We will be uploading game write-ups, videos and more for your viewing pleasure.

We hope that you become a regular viewer of this site.

Regards WPIHA Committee

Ladies Interprovincials

Venue: Grand West Ice Arena "The Ice Station"
Date: 6 - 9 August
Schedule: to be posted

ALL STAR ICE HOCKEY - EVENT COMING SOON

Date: TBD
Venue: Grand West Ice Arena "The Ice Station"

Details coming soon...