2023 AIHL season

The 2023 AIHL season was the 22nd season of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The season consisted of 130 regular season games from 15 April to 13 August 2023, with the Goodall Cup finals consisting of two play-in matches, two semi-finals, and a grand final, following the regular season on 26–27 August 2023.
==Teams==
In 2023 the AIHL had 10 teams split into two conferences competing in the league.
Hellyer Conference 	Hellyer Conference	Hellyer Conference 	Hellyer Conference	Hellyer Conference
Team 	City 	Arena 	Head Coach 	Captain
Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne 	O'Brien Icehouse 	Kerry Goulet 	Mackenzie Caruana
Melbourne Mustangs 	Melbourne 	O'Brien Icehouse 	Pat McMahon 	Brendan McDowell
Perth Thunder 	Perth 	Perth Ice Arena 	Benjamin Breault 	James Woodman
Sydney Bears 	Sydney 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	Ron Kuprowsky 	Ryan Annesley
Sydney Ice Dogs 	Sydney 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	Jason Kvisle 	Daniel Pataky
Rurak Conference 	Rurak Conference 	Rurak Conference 	Rurak Conference 	Rurak Conference
Team 	City 	Arena 	Head Coach 	Captain
Adelaide Adrenaline 	Adelaide 	IceArenA 	Stu Henly 	Joey MacDougall
Brisbane Lightning 	Brisbane 	Boondall Iceworld 	Terry Kiliwnik 	Damian Bright
CBR Brave 	Canberra 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	Stuart Philps 	Kai Miettinen
Central Coast Rhinos	Central Coast 	Erina Ice Arena 	Ashley Marsh 	Robert Malloy
Newcastle Northstars	Newcastle 	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	Kevin Noble 	Liam Manwarring
==League Business==
The 2023 regular season fixture list was released publicly by the AIHL on 2 November 2022. The AIHL Finals would be altered from 2022, moving to a two weekend format for the first time in league history. League trophies would continue to be consistent with previous seasons, with the league champion awarded the historic Goodall Cup and league premier awarded the H Newman Reid Trophy. The League confirmed that the Adelaide Adrenaline and Perth Thunder would be returning to the league for 2023, after both teams pulled out of competing in 2022. The Adrenaline had secured a new venue agreement with the IceArenA, paving the way for their return. While Western Australia no longer had any border restrictions, paving the way for the Thunder's return. A new paid subscription streaming service named AIHL.TV was introduced by the AIHL for season 2023. This marked the first time the league had ever brought in a paid streaming service for the regular season. All 130 regular season games and finals would be available live and on demand with yearly, monthly and weekly payment options.
===Expansion===
Following a successful 2022 exhibition schedule, the AIHL announced the Brisbane Lightning and Central Coast Rhinos had both been successful in obtaining full AIHL licences and would be officially joining the league and regular season for 2023. The two team expansion increased the league membership to ten teams for the first time, previously the highest membership number was nine teams in 2012.
During pre-season, there had been discussions about the possibility for the Brisbane Rampage to join the league following the collapse of the Pacific Hockey League, however the AIHL season schedule had already been organised and released publicly and season preparation had already advanced past the stage to accommodate a late addition. There was no public mention of exhibition games involving the Rampage and/or a pathway to obtaining a licence for the 2024 season.
===Exhibition games===
In the lead up to Season 2023, eight exhibition games were organised between different AIHL teams. The Mustangs and Ice organised a two game series for February and March 2023. The second of these games doubled as a charity event for The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. The Mustangs, Ice, O'Brien Icehouse and The District Docklands raised $30,109 for the hospital's Good Friday Appeal. The Brave and Lightning arranged a three game series to replace the missed series in August 2022 when the Brave pulled out due to prepartions for the AIHL Finals. Two games would be played in Brisbane and one in Canberra. The Central Coast Rhinos lined up three pre-season games. One against the Sydney Bears at Erina Ice Arena and two against the Newcastle Northstars, one at Erina and one in Newcastle. In additional to the eight games, on 4 March 2023, the Melbourne Mustangs organised a delayed 10 year team anniversary reunion tournament invlolving current and former players, staff and supporters. The event saw 3 teams play in a round-robun tournament at O'Brien Icehouse.
2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games	2023 AIHL exhibition games
Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
25 Feb 2023 	17:00 	Melbourne Ice 	3–1 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O'Brien Icehouse 	Ref
4 Mar 2023 	17:30 	CBR Brave 	5–4 	Brisbane Lightning 	Boondall Iceworld 	Ref
5 Mar 2023 	16:30 	CBR Brave 	6–0 	Brisbane Lightning 	Boondall Iceworld 	Ref
25 Mar 2023 	15:30 	Sydney Bears 	12–0 	Central Coast Rhinos 	Erina Ice Arena 	Ref
31 Mar 2023 	19:30 	Melbourne Mustangs 	6–2 	Melbourne Ice 	O'Brien Icehouse 	Ref
1 Apr 2023 	17:15 	Brisbane Lightning 	5–6 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	Ref
1 Apr 2023 	15:30 	Newcastle Northstars 	6–4 	Central Coast Rhinos 	Erina Ice Arena 	Ref
2 Apr 2023 	16:00 	Central Coast Rhinos 	3–10 	Newcastle Northstars 	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	Ref
===Personnel changes===
2023 team staff and coaching changes included:
Sydney Ice Dogs appointing a new head coach, Jason Kvisle, and associate coach, Jimmy Dufour, after letting Czech coach, Ondrej Cervenka, leave the team. Melbourne Ice had a number of ins, outs and role changes at the team. Canadian Kerry Goulet was appointed head coach. Sandy Gardner moved from head coach to assistant coach and is joined by Michael Flaherty and the rejoining Brent Laver. Keira Dunwoody joins the Ice from the Melbourne Ducks and rounds out the coaching department. In other team position changes at the Ice, Marie-Bernadette La Rose left her role as marketing manager after four years with the team, while Erin Tempest and Trevor Dickson were appointed to the roles of Director Secretariate and Director of Hockey Operations respectively. Melbourne Mustangs confirmed last season's head coach, Canadian Chris Lawrence would be returning to the team in 2023, but on the playing roster, so the Mustangs replaced Lawrence with American Pat McMahon, who had previous experience with Victorian junior teams and the Melbourne Ducks in the PHL in 2022. Brisbane Lightning's admission into the AIHL brought with it early pre-season changes at the team. Peter Holmes joined the Lightning as general manager and governor, replacing the outgoing Josh Labrie (GM) and Matthew Meyer (governor). Ash Jackson was then brought into the team in December 2022 as the new Director of Marketing, Media and Publicity. Ash has previous marketing campaign experience with the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and overseen projects with the AFL, FIFA and the ICC. Melbourne Mustangs and head coach Patrick McMahon parted ways in July 2023 due to unforeseen circumstances that required him to travel home to America.
===Player transfers===
All player transfers by the ten AIHL teams for season 2023.
====Interclub transfers====
	Player	Previous team 	New team
	 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	* 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	CBR Brave 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Perth Thunder
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Central Coast Rhinos
	* 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	CBR Brave 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Brisbane Lightning
	* 	Brisbane Lightning 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Sydney Bears 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Sydney Bears 	Perth Thunder
	 	Newcastle Northstars	Central Coast Rhinos
	* 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Sydney Bears 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	CBR Brave 	Perth Thunder
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Newcastle Northstars	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	CBR Brave 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	CBR Brave 	Perth Thunder
	* 	Melbourne Ice 	CBR Brave
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Sydney Bears
	 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Sydney Bears 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	CBR Brave 	Perth Thunder
:* Mid-season transfer.
====Retirements====
	Player	Team	New role
====New signings====
	Player	Previous team 	New team
	 	Bisons de Neuilly-sur-Marne 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Maine Mariners 	CBR Brave
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Canterbury Red Devils 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Indy Fuel 	Perth Thunder
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	The Coast 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Adelaide Tigers 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Salem State Vikings 	Melbourne Ice
	 	No team 	Sydney Bears
	 	Evansville Thunderbolts 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	West Coast Flyers 	Perth Thunder
	 	Blackhawks IHC 	Perth Thunder
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Brisbane Blitz 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	The Coast 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi 	CBR Brave
	 	Rivière-du-Loup 3L 	Perth Thunder
	 	EV Lindau Islanders 	Sydney Bears
	 	The Coast 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Sydney Bears
	 	Northern Chiefs 	Perth Thunder
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Sydney Bombers 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	No team 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Manchester Storm 	Sydney Bears
	 	Adelaide Generals 	Perth Thunder
	 	Courchevel-Méribel-Pralognan 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	No team 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	No team 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	The Coast 	CBR Brave
	 	Saint Michael's Purple Knights	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Åseda IF 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Allen Americans 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	No team 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Rivière-du-Loup 3L 	Perth Thunder
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	CSM Corona Brașov 	Perth Thunder
	 	Knoxville Ice Bears 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	No team 	CBR Brave
	 	No team 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	No team 	CBR Brave
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	West Coast Flyers 	Perth Thunder
	 	Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	The Coast 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Wichita Thunder 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	No team 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Eskilstuna Linden Hockey 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Evansville Thunderbolts 	Perth Thunder
	 	Kelowna Chiefs 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Innisfail Eagles 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Doshisha University 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Penrith Raptors 	Sydney Bears
	 	HEC Eisbären Heilbronn 	Melbourne Ice
	 	No team 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Hannover Scorpions 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Hearst Lumberjacks 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Robert Morris Colonials 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Huntsville Havoc 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Minnesota Loons 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	The Coast 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	No team 	Perth Thunder
	 	Kansas City Mavericks 	Sydney Bears
	 	Campbell River Storm 	Perth Thunder
	 	Fife Flyers 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	No team 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Fort Wayne Spacemen 	Perth Thunder
	 	West Carleton Rivermen 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Corsaires de Nantes 	CBR Brave
	 	Français Volants 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Kansas City Mavericks 	Sydney Bears
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Canberra Jokerit 	CBR Brave
	 	No team 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Sydney Bombers 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Adelaide Generals 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Birmingham Bulls 	Sydney Bears
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Corsaires de Nantes 	CBR Brave
	 	The Coast 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Wisconsin Lumberjacks 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Abu Dhabi Storms 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Salem State Vikings 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	No team 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Evansville Thunderbolts 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	The Coast 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Kurra Hockey Team 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Brisbane Blitz 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Adelaide Generals 	Perth Thunder
	 	No team 	Sydney Bears
	 	Worcester State Lancers 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Mustangs
	 	Brisbane Rampage 	Brisbane Lightning
	 	The Coast 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	No team 	Sydney Bears
	 	Reach Rebels 	Sydney Ice Dogs
	 	Hammer Eisbären 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	No team 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Knoxville Ice Bears 	Perth Thunder
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Kungälvs IK 	Sydney Bears
	 	No team 	CBR Brave
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	No team 	Perth Thunder
	 	Beaumont Chiefs 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	CSM Corona Brașov 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Meudon HC 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Adelaide Avalanche 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	The Coast 	Central Coast Rhinos
	 	Fayetteville Marksmen 	CBR Brave
	 	Toulouse Blagnac HC 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	North Dundas Rockets 	Adelaide Adrenaline
	 	Melbourne Ducks 	Melbourne Ice
	 	Newcastle North Stars (ECSL) 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	Newcastle North Stars (ECSL) 	Newcastle Northstars
	 	No team 	Perth Thunder
	 	Team Mantis Ice Hockey 	Adelaide Adrenaline
====Players lost====
	Player	Previous team 	New team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	Sydney Bombers
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Melbourne Jets
	 	CBR Brave 	Salem State Vikings
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	CBR Brave 	Jacksonville Icemen
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	Newcastle Northstars	Manchester Storm
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Demons IHC
	 	CBR Brave 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Braves IHC
	 	CBR Brave 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Penrith Raptors
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Penrith Raptors
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Reach Rebels
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Reach Rebels
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Demons IHC
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	CBR Brave 	No team
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	No team
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Sydney Heat
	 	Sydney Bears 	Penrith Raptors
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Saints Monarchs IHC
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	CBR Brave 	No team
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	Sorel-Tracy Éperviers
	 	Melbourne Ice 	Melbourne Glaciers
	 	Newcastle Northstars	Salem State Vikings
	 	Sydney Bears 	Quad City Storm
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Sydney Sting
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Sydney Sting
	 	Melbourne Mustangs 	Melbourne Jets
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	Sydney Bears 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Newcastle Northstars	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
	 	CBR Brave 	No team
	 	Melbourne Ice 	No team
	 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	No team
==Regular season==
===Fixtures and results===
The 2023 regular season consists of 130 games that are scheduled to run from 15 April 2023 to 13 August 2023. For the first time since 2012, the AIHL regular season sees teams split into two conferences. Teams will play a total of 26 regular season games, playing each team in their conference four times (two at home and two away) and playing teams outside their conference twice. In May 2023, the game between Brisbane Lightning and Newcastle Northstars, scheduled for Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, had to be postponed due to luggage issues with the airline. In June 2023, the Sydney Bears were found to have accidentally breached the AIHL player cap regulations and penalised three competition points. The postponed Northstars vs Lightning game from May was rescheduled for 30 July 2023.
====April====
April 	April 	April	April 	April 	April 	April 	April
Game #	Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
1 	15 Apr 2023	15:30	Brisbane Lightning 	17–0 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
2 	15 Apr 2023	16:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–6 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
3 	15 Apr 2023	17:00	Newcastle Northstars	0–11 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
4 	15 Apr 2023	17:00	Sydney Bears 	6–3 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
5 	16 Apr 2023	14:00	Newcastle Northstars	4–8 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
6 	16 Apr 2023	15:30	CBR Brave 	5–3 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
7 	16 Apr 2023	17:00	Brisbane Lightning 	5–8 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
8 	22 Apr 2023	16:30	Central Coast Rhinos	0–15 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
9 	22 Apr 2023	16:30	Sydney Bears 	6–3 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
10 	22 Apr 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	4–2 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
11 	22 Apr 2023	17:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	2–3 (OT)	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
12 	23 Apr 2023	14:00	Perth Thunder 	4–5 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
13 	23 Apr 2023	16:30	Central Coast Rhinos	0–6 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
14 	23 Apr 2023	17:00	CBR Brave 	2–8 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
15 	28 Apr 2023	19:30	Melbourne Ice 	1–7 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
16 	29 Apr 2023	15:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	9–3 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
17 	29 Apr 2023	16:30	Brisbane Lightning 	2–5 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
18 	29 Apr 2023	17:00	Newcastle Northstars	3–2 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
19 	29 Apr 2023	17:00	CBR Brave 	7–1 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
20 	30 Apr 2023	14:00	CBR Brave 	2–3 (SO)	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
21 	30 Apr 2023	15:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	7–2 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
====May====
May 	May 	May 	May 	May 	May 	May 	May
Game #	Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
22 	5 May 2023 	19:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	2–6 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
23 	6 May 2023 	16:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	2–1 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
24 	6 May 2023 	16:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	3–8 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
25 	6 May 2023 	17:00	Melbourne Ice 	4–7 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
26 	6 May 2023 	17:30	Newcastle Northstars	3–4 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
27 	7 May 2023 	16:00	Central Coast Rhinos	3–13 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
28 	7 May 2023 	16:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	4–5 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
29 	7 May 2023 	16:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–5 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
30 	7 May 2023 	17:00	Melbourne Ice 	5–3 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
31 	13 May 2023	15:30	CBR Brave 	9–1 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
32 	13 May 2023	16:30	Newcastle Northstars	4–2 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
33 	13 May 2023	16:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	5–4 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
34 	13 May 2023	17:00	Brisbane Lightning 	3–8 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
35 	14 May 2023	14:00	Brisbane Lightning 	6–2 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
36 	14 May 2023	17:00	Central Coast Rhinos	2–5 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
37 	20 May 2023	16:30	Perth Thunder 	6–7 (SO) 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
38 	20 May 2023	17:00	Sydney Bears 	7–3 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
39 	20 May 2023	17:00	CBR Brave 	4–1 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
40 	20 May 2023	17:00	Central Coast Rhinos	4–8 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
41 	21 May 2023	14:00	Sydney Bears 	3–1 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
42 	26 May 2023	19:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	9–2 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
43 	27 May 2023	16:30	Melbourne Ice 	11–3 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
44 	27 May 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	4–9 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
45 	27 May 2023	17:00	Central Coast Rhinos	4–6 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
– 	27 May 2023	17:00	Brisbane Lightning 	Postponed	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
47 	27 May 2023	17:30	Sydney Bears 	3–2 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
48 	28 May 2023	14:00	Perth Thunder 	6–2 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
49 	28 May 2023	15:00	Brisbane Lightning 	5–8 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
====June====
June 	June 	June 	June 	June 	June 	June 	June
Game #	Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
50 	3 Jun 2023 	16:30	Central Coast Rhinos	2–7 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
51 	3 Jun 2023 	17:00	Sydney ice Dogs 	5–9 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
52 	3 Jun 2023 	17:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–6 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
53 	3 Jun 2023 	17:30	Brisbane Lightning 	5–9 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
54 	4 Jun 2023 	14:00	Sydney Ice Dogs 	8–9 (OT)	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
55 	4 Jun 2023 	15:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	5–6 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
56 	4 Jun 2023 	16:00	Brisbane Lightning 	2–7 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
57 	10 Jun 2023	16:30	Melbourne Ice 	11–9 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
58 	10 Jun 2023	16:30	Central Coast Rhinos	6–3 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
59 	10 Jun 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	3–1 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
60 	10 Jun 2023	17:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	2–5 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
61 	11 Jun 2023	12:30	Central Coast Rhinos	6–5 (OT)	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
62 	11 Jun 2023	15:00	Perth Thunder 	5–6 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
63 	11 Jun 2023	16:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	2–8 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
64 	11 Jun 2023	17:00	Melbourne Ice 	4–8 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
65 	17 Jun 2023	15:30	Melbourne Ice 	14–8 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
66 	17 Jun 2023	16:30	Brisbane Lightning 	0–4 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
67 	17 Jun 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	6–1 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
68 	17 Jun 2023	17:30	Newcastle Northstars	4–5 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
69 	18 Jun 2023	12:30	Brisbane Lightning 	7–4 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
70 	18 Jun 2023	15:30	Newcastle Northstars	6–2 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
71 	18 Jun 2023	16:00	Melbourne Ice 	7–9 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
72 	18 Jun 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	6–5 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
73 	23 Jun 2023	19:30	Melbourne Ice 	3–6 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
74 	24 Jun 2023	16:30	CBR Brave 	7–4 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
75 	24 Jun 2023	16:30	Sydney Bears 	4–2 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
76 	24 Jun 2023	17:00	Central Coast Rhinos	4–11 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
77 	24 Jun 2023	17:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–5 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
78 	25 Jun 2023	14:00	Central Coast Rhinos	3–4 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
79 	25 Jun 2023	15:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–11 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
====July====
July 	July 	July 	July 	July 	July 	July 	July
Game #	Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
80 	1 Jul 2023 	15:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	9–7 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
81 	1 Jul 2023 	16:30	CBR Brave 	7–3 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
82 	1 Jul 2023 	16:30	Perth Thunder 	6–2 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
83 	1 Jul 2023 	17:00	Melbourne Ice 	2–6 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
84 	1 Jul 2023 	17:00	Sydney Ice Dogs 	2–8 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
85 	2 Jul 2023 	15:00	Melbourne Ice 	3–4 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
86 	2 Jul 2023 	15:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	9–5 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
87 	2 Jul 2023 	16:30	CBR Brave 	9–2 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
88 	2 Jul 2023 	17:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	3–8 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
89 	8 Jul 2023 	16:30	Melbourne Ice 	4–5 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
90 	8 Jul 2023 	16:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	6–1 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
91 	8 Jul 2023 	17:00	Newcastle Northstars	5–1 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
92 	8 Jul 2023 	17:30	Adelaide Adrenaline 	3–8 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
93 	9 Jul 2023 	16:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	1–8 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
94 	9 Jul 2023 	16:30	Melbourne Ice 	7–5 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
95 	9 Jul 2023 	17:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	9–2 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
96 	14 Jul 2023	19:30	Sydney Bears 	7–1 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
97 	15 Jul 2023	16:30	Newcastle Northstars	9–5 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
98 	15 Jul 2023	17:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	6–4 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
99 	15 Jul 2023	17:30	Perth Thunder 	4–3 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
100 	16 Jul 2023	12:30	Newcastle Northstars	5–2 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
101 	16 Jul 2023	17:00	Melbourne Mustangs 	5–2 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
102 	21 Jul 2023	19:30	Melbourne Mustangs 	11–4 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
103 	22 Jul 2023	16:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	2–11 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
104 	22 Jul 2023	16:30	Newcastle Northstars	5–8 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
105 	22 Jul 2023	17:00	Sydney Bears 	4–2 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
106 	23 Jul 2023	14:00	Sydney Bears 	9–7 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
107 	23 Jul 2023	16:00	Central Coast Rhinos	0–10 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
108 	23 Jul 2023	16:30	Sydney Ice Dogs 	2–7 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
109 	23 Jul 2023	16:30	Newcastle Northstars	6–5 (SO)	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
110 	29 Jul 2023	15:30	Perth Thunder 	13–1 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
111 	29 Jul 2023	17:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	2–5 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
112 	29 Jul 2023	17:00	Sydney Ice Dogs 	3–5 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
113 	29 Jul 2023	17:00	CBR Brave 	6–2 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
114 	30 Jul 2023	14:00	Adelaide Adrenaline 	5–7 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
46 	30 Jul 2023	15:00	Brisbane Lightning 	4–7 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
115 	30 Jul 2023	15:30	Sydney Bears 	4–2 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
116 	30 Jul 2023	17:00	Perth Thunder 	8–4 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
====August====
August	August 	August	August 	August	August 	August 	August
Game #	Date 	Time 	Away 	Score 	Home 	Location 	Recap
117 	5 Aug 2023 	15:30 	Brisbane Lightning 	20–1 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
118 	5 Aug 2023 	16:30 	CBR Brave 	13–3 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
119 	5 Aug 2023 	17:00 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	8–10 	Melbourne Ice 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
120 	5 Aug 2023 	17:00 	Sydney Bears 	6–5 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
121 	6 Aug 2023 	12:30 	CBR Brave 	6–2 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
122 	6 Aug 2023 	14:00 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	3–7 	Melbourne Mustangs 	O’Brien Icehouse 	
123 	6 Aug 2023 	15:30 	Newcastle Northstars	18–5 	Central Coast Rhinos	Erina Ice Arena 	
124 	6 Aug 2023 	17:00 	Brisbane Lightning 	4–6 	Sydney Bears 	Macquarie Ice Rink 	
125 	12 Aug 2023	16:30 	Sydney Bears 	3–2 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
126 	12 Aug 2023	16:30 	Sydney Ice Dogs 	8–5 	Brisbane Lightning 	Iceworld Boondall 	
127 	12 Aug 2023	16:30 	Melbourne Mustangs 	2–5 	Adelaide Adrenaline 	IceArenA 	
128 	12 Aug 2023	17:30 	Central Coast Rhinos	1–12 	CBR Brave 	Phillip Ice Skating Centre	
129 	13 Aug 2023	16:00 	CBR Brave 	5–7 	Newcastle Northstars	Hunter Ice Skating Stadium	
130 	13 Aug 2023	16:30 	Sydney Bears 	1–6 	Perth Thunder 	Perth Ice Arena 	
Key:
Winner
===Standings===
====Overall====
====Hellyer Conference====
====Rurak Conference====
===Awards===
====Skaters Network player of the week====
Each week the AIHL, through sponsorship, names a player of the week. 
The award is based on the following criteria: 
*individual performance, including significant game statistics;
*contribution to the team's success through individual leadership abilities; and
*performance off the ice, including community engagement.
Round	Awarded to 	Pos	Ref
1 	Jordan McTaggart 	F 	Ref
2 	Michael Schlamp 	F 	Ref
3 	Charlie Smart 	G 	Ref
4 	Alexandre Tetreault	G 	Ref
5 	Strat Allen 	F 	Ref
6 	Thomas Steven 	F 	Ref
7 	Vadim Virjassov 	F 	Ref
8 	Casey Kubara 	F 	Ref
9 	Robert Malloy 	D 	Ref
10 	Chris Schutz 	F 	Ref
11 	Sebastian Woodlands	G 	Ref
12 	Wehebe Darge 	F 	Ref
13 	Thomas Flack 	F 	Ref
14 	Riley Klugerman 	F 	Ref
15 	Jordan Kyros 	F 	Ref
16 	Benjamin Breault 	F 	Ref
====Season awards====
Below lists the 2023 AIHL regular season award winners.
Award	Name 	Team
 	Scott Timmins 	Melbourne Mustangs
 	Andrew Masters 	Central Coast Rhinos
 	Ty Wishart 	Melbourne Mustangs
 	Not awarded 	
 	Riley Klugerman 	Newcastle Northstars
 	Benjamin Breault	Perth Thunder
==Goodall Cup playoffs==
For season 2023, the AIHL adopted a new two weekend Finals format. The new format involved two play-in finals games during the first weekend and then two semi-finals and grand final in the second weekend. The new format involved single elimination games, with the losing team eliminated and winning team advancing to the next round. Participating teams in the AIHL Finals increased from four to six for the first time in league history. Qualification for Finals involved the highest three ranking teams from each AIHL regular season conference (Hellyer and Rurak). The top ranked teams from each conference would automatically qualify for the semi-finals, with the second and third ranked teams entering Finals at the play-in stage with a conference cross-over. The winner of Finals would continue to be named AIHL Champions and lift the historic Goodall Cup, just as it has been in previous seasons.
Melbourne's O'Brien Icehouse and Newcastle's Hunter Ice Skating Stadium were selected as host venues for the 2023 AIHL Finals. Newcastle hosting one of the play-in games and Melbourne hosting the other play-in as well as the second weekend. Following the conclusion of the 2023 AIHL regular season, the CBR Brave and Sydney Bears finished top of their respective conferences to directly qualify for the semi-finals in Melbourne in week two. The Melbourne Mustangs, Newcastle Northstars, Perth Thunder and Brisbane Lightning qualified for the play-ins in week one. The Northstars would play the Thunder in Newcastle and the Mustangs would play the Lightning in Melbourne. In week one, the Mustangs and Thunder won their respective play-in finals to advance to the semi-finals in week two. In week two, on Saturday, the Mustangs shutout the Bears in semi-final one to cause an upset, the Brave then eventually defeated the Thunder in semi-final two, after a lengthy player injury delay in the second period. On Sunday, the Brave faced-off with the hometown team the Mustangs in the grand final for the Goodall Cup. In a tightly contested game, the Mustangs prevailed and won 1–0, their second Finals shutout in a row. It was the Mustangs second ever Championship title and their first in nine years, since 2014 when they last won. The Brave missed out on going back-to-back. Following the grand final, Melbourne Mustangs' Canadian gaoltender, Liam Hughes, was named Finals MVP for his heroic two shutouts.
All times are UTC+10:00
===Play-in finals===
===Semi-finals===
===Final===
==References==
==External links==
*The Australian Ice Hockey League
*Ice Hockey Australia
Category:2023 in ice hockey
2023