Maintaining consistency presents a huge challenge for any side in the AIHL, especially given almost all weekends are double-headers and then it’s back to the day job for most players. However, consistency is what separates teams from making a run at the Goodall Cup or watching on the livestream as someone else lifts the trophy.
For the past couple of seasons, the Sydney Bears have been able to beat any side on any given weekend. However, they’ve lacked one key ingredient - consistency. A look back at the first few rounds of 2015 is evidence of this – 6 losses, 5 wins.
This is a fundamental goal for new Sydney Bears head coach, Ron Kuprowsky.
“I am hoping to improve on our record from last season and keep improving year after year,” Kuprowsky said. Kuprowsky spent 2015 as assistant to Vlad Rubes and is a previously Goodall Cup winning coach, having guided the Ice Dogs to the crown in 2013.
The shake-up of the coaching group isn’t the only change occurring with the Sydney Bears this year, who once again call the Penrith Ice Palace home. They have also looked to re-think their on-ice strategy and team culture.
“We have begun to totally strip down the old unsuccessful style of play and completely rebuild it as it has been a long time since the Bears have made the playoffs,” Kuprowsky said. “Not just the style on the ice but also the culture off the ice.”
Like many other teams in the league, the Sydney Bears have built a strong core of Australian players that have stuck together as a group over several seasons. Kuprowsky is quick to point out the fact that the home-grown guys are massively important to a teams’ chances.
“It is the pinnacle for a winning season; the Australian players have to carry the team,” Kuprowsky said. “There are only four imports dressed for each game leaving 15 Australians to do a lot of the heavy lifting.”
This is reflected in the fact that Cameron Todd, Richard Tesarik and team captain, Michael Schlamp all represented Australia as they won gold recently. Add to that mix, newly recruited goaltender and starter for Australia Anthony Kimlin and it represents a very strong cohort.
The foursome’s appearance with the national side has presented certain challenges in pre-season; however the Bears won the Wilson Cup despite not being full strength.
“It’s been a bumpy pre-season as we have a good portion of our senior players in Mexico at the World Championships,” Kuprowsky said. “Many of our imports are not due in for a few weeks, so we are doing the best we can with the players we have available.”
In terms of imports, the Bears welcome back Tomas Landa who has consistently performed well in the AIHL over the past five seasons. Geoff Irwin can potentially offer further leadership in the dressing room, having captained Minnesota State University in his senior year, whilst Ryan Annesley also brings NCAA experience as well as two seasons spent in the ECHL.
The Bears have also forged a working partnership with the Australian Defence Force, which has already reaped rewards with LT Cameron Smith, who appeared at the inaugural ADFIHA Tri-Service Carnival hopefully adding further firepower to the Bears attack. Ron Kuprowsky attended the event, offering coaching to the ADF players and certainly sees the benefits of the partnership.
“With more integration with ADF and the AIHL, we look to develop more players into the future and continue to build on the relationship,” Kuprowsky said.
Also new to the Sydney Bears line-up this season are former Sydney Ice Dogs, Brian Funes and Billy Cliff. Their presence will certainly add a little spice to the aptly-named ‘Battle of Sydney’, especially with the resurgence of the Ice Dogs and Vlad Rubes headed across the city as their head coach. However, Bears head coach Kuprowsky refuses to get drawn into any talk of rivalry.
“All the teams have the potential to excel this season so all teams are a challenge this season,” he said. “It makes no difference who we play [against] as all games are worth the same points.”
There are certainly building blocks in place for a really positive season for the Bears; Kuprowsky has one clear goal for his team.
“It was great to win the Cup a few years back and of course it’s a goal to win one for the Bears,” Kuprowsky said. “It’s a first rate organisation and the guys are fantastic. The trophy is for the players and club, so I am happy to do my best to help win it for them.”
The Bears open their season on Sunday, April 24th hosting the CBR Brave at the Penrith Ice Palace.
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