North Stars chase consecutive Championships

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In 2015, the Newcastle North Stars rode a wave of records to the club’s fifth Goodall Cup Championship in 14 years.
 
The most successful club in AIHL history set records with the least number of regular time losses (4), most goals (152) and highest points differential (+69) as well as the second most wins in an AIHL season of all time (20 – equal with the 2008 Bears and one behind the 2006 Ice).
 
Along with this, Geordie Wudrick scored 44 goals and 47 assists for 91 points, breaking Addison De Boer’s point scoring record of 88 points and Matt Amado’s record of 42 goals in a season, both set in 2011.
 
Despite the departure of Wudrick, the North Stars are confident they can be just the third team to win the AIHL Championship back-to-back, following the 2000-01 Adelaide Avalanche, 2005-06 North Stars and 2010-12 Melbourne Ice.
 
After an interesting off-season where the North Stars blooded a largely ECSL team in the Wilson Cup, the club insists they are prepared to defend the Goodall Cup Championship in 2016. From behind the bench, coach Andrew Petrie has a clear message on his expectations for the team.
 
“Everyone needs to know what we’re trying to achieve when they’re out on the ice,” Petrie said. “You really do have to get everyone on the same page quickly and its only a 28-game season so you want everybody to understand what their role is in the team and to understand where the team is trying to get to and how they can help their team achieve that.”

One aspect that will help this is the addition of the side's four imports this season. With the return of Beau Taylor fresh off spending the North American season attending the University of Alberta-Augustana for his second year, the North Stars have the services of one of last season’s imports in Scott Swiston and a third teammate in Connor McLaughlin.
 
The Novocastrians have also added two Peoria Rivermen stars from the SPHL with high-scoring forward Josh Harris and 2015-16 SPHL Defenceman of the Year Brandon Greenside, both of whom will join the club when the Rivermen’s Playoff campaign ends.
 
With the standard of hockey in the league improving, coach Petrie believes it will only bring further excitement for the fans.
 
“It’s not just one or two teams improving now; it’s everyone,” Petrie said. “The better the league gets, the better the calibre of imports who are attracted to play here and the quality on the ice is reflecting this.”
 
“Fans should look forward to this as there will be no easy teams this season. Last year you had one or two struggling but they’ve all upped their game for the better.”
 
The 2016 AIHL season begins this weekend. The North Stars will face the Thunder in a double header at Perth Ice Arena at 4.30pm AWST (6.30pm AEST/6pm ACST).