Thunder eager for season opener

---

For the Perth Thunder, the season opener on Saturday night can’t come soon enough. Two weeks into the season, six of the eight teams have opened their season with five teams having registered a win. The Thunder and Adelaide Adrenaline are the two teams still waiting and both will kick off their season this week. Perth is set for its first home double header while the Adrenaline start on the road with games against the Newcastle North Stars and the Sydney Bears.
 
However, the Thunder opened their doors a week early for an inter-squad match. The game served several purposes, including offering a chance for the fans to get a glimpse at their team for 2014, and allowing management to make the final selections for their 2014 squad.
 
The Thunder fan base has been somewhat frustrated by the late start to their teams’ 2014 AIHL campaign, viewing it as a big disadvantage. General Manger Stan Scott also feels the AIHL schedule doesn’t do the Western Australians any favours.
 
“It is a disadvantage,” Scott said. “Teams can already be nine points ahead of you before you even start your season, and it never usually equals itself out until late July when you catch the games up. Teams also have more match fitness when we play them early on because of playing those 3-4 early games.”
 
Imports have been a hot topic amongst the Thunder fans in the off-season. With no returning imports this season, Scott said that he was eager to see what the new imports would add to the 2013 semi-finalists.
 
“When looking for imports, we look at the previous season, plus the squad that will be playing this season and then try to acquire players who can fill the skill sets that the team needs,” Scott explained. “Sometimes we look to retain players like Ken Rolph, who did three seasons here; other times we need different skill sets from our imports.  Also, after doing a season here, players often need a summer at home.”  
 
Perth Thunder management worked long hours over the past several months to ensure that they secured players that would complement their local players. On Saturday, Thunder fans had their first glimpse of Fayetteville FireAntz defenceman Corey Toy when he hit the ice for the inter-team match. However, fans will have to wait until the season opener on April 26 to see Huntsville Havoc forward Stuart Stefan and newly acquired Mississippi Surge goalie Mathieu Dugas in action.
 
Justin Fox is the final import but won’t be joining his new teammates just yet - he’s currently in the midst of a deep playoff run with his CHL team, The Quad City Mallards. Currently in the second round of a three-round playoff series, the Mallards are currently at 1-all in the best-of-seven series, which could mean that Fox will be unable to join his Thunder teammates until mid-May.
 
New players weren’t the only big announcements the Thunder have been making. Head coach Stan Scott recently announced that he would be stepping away back to the role of assistant coach in order to concentrate on his general manager duties. Dylan Forsythe, the former coach of BCHL team the Merritt Centennials would be taking his place as head coach.
 
With success and hard work Perth Thunder continue to build the identity of their franchise and the sport of hockey in their home town of Perth. Scott said that he would be able to spend more time ensuring the word about the team continued to spread.
 
“Our objective is to create public awareness about Perth Thunder and the AIHL,” Scott said. “We are a high-level sporting team offering another option to sports fans in WA. Whether you come to see us or not, we want everyone in WA to know who we are.”
 
The Perth Thunder will be playing their season opener on April 26 at Perth Ice Arena against the Melbourne Ice at 4.30 WST while both teams will back up on Sunday at the same time.

* Photos from Shutter Speed Designs/Paul Kelly (2013)