Fresh on the heels of a sold-out finals series in Melbourne and the historic two-game Global Series by the National Hockey League (NHL) at Rod Laver Arena, the appointment of Bob Turner as director of commercial will add a new spark to the sport in preparation for the 2024 season.
The Australian Ice Hockey League is a 10-team national competition and will enter its 24th season in 2024.
Played from March to August annually, teams are from Sydney (2), Melbourne (2), Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, NSW’s Central Coast, Newcastle, and Brisbane. The 2023 Champions are the Melbourne Mustangs.
The league comprises local players and is supported by up to 5-6 import players per team. Played in the northern hemisphere summer months, the AIHL is a preferred destination for import players from Canada, North America and Europe.
AIHL Chairman Peter Jon Hartshorne is excited that a proven sports marketer like Bob Turner will join the league’s board.
"I first met Bob in the 80s’ and have been pursuing him for years now as his track record proves he is far more than a basketball coach," Chairman Hartshorne said.
"His success in marketing basketball, baseball, lawn bowls and now as chairman of the Blacktown City FC is exemplary. It is the perfect fit for the AIHL to take the next step up the ladder and capitalise on the growth of our League."
For the newly inducted Basketball NSW Hall of Famer, Bob Turner, the recent AIHL finals in Melbourne at the O’Brien Icehouse convinced him to take on the challenge.
"I attended the AIHL Finals as a guest of the board a month ago in Melbourne, and I was blown away by the skill, speed, physicality and intensity of the game. It was watching rugby league on ice but much quicker," said Turner.
"The NHL has just played two sell-out games at Rod Laver Arena and ESPN does a tremendous job promoting the American Professional League. I love to take on a challenge, especially when the marketing and promotional ingredients point in the right direction. This league is destined to go places, and I am excited at providing whatever push I can."
The Australian Ice Hockey League started in 2000 and is fully affiliated with Ice Hockey Australia and the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The 10-team season includes an entire home and away schedule of 150 games and a finals weekend with the top four teams.
All 155 games are streamed live on AIHL.TV in Australia and to over 20 other countries via international rights distributor and media partner Sportradar. Teams play annually for the Goodall Cup, the World's 3rd oldest Ice Hockey Cup.
"The National Hockey League (NHL) in the northern hemisphere provides the AIHL with innovative marketing concepts and game experiences being adopted by the AIHL Board,” said Chairman Hartshorne.
“The recent sell-out tour of the LA Kings and Arizona Coyotes at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne reinforces the following of the sport in Australia and its ever-expanding fan base.
“The main priority of the AIHL Board has been to structure a firm financial operation for the long-term stability of the league.
"We have been able to make significant progress in the last two years, and we are now in a much better position to market our unique sports product. We believe Bob can provide a huge lift in this area.”
Bob Turner said his immediate focus will be to open the eyes and ears of the corporate world as well as the potential fans in each of the eight league cities.
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AIHL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Peter J Hartshorne - Representative Chairman Appointed 2022.
Joyce Price - Representative Director & Company Secretary Appointed 2022.
Wayne Hellyer - Representative Director Appointed 2022.
Garry Dore - Representative Director Appointed 2022.
John Hollingsworth - Non-Executive Director Appointed 2023.
Bob Turner - Executive Director: Commercial Appointed 2023.
