Young CBR Brave forward Casey Kubara has been awarded the AIHL’s Rookie of the Year for his record setting 2016 season.

After his sides heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the Newcastle North Stars in the Goodall Cup final, the Canberra rookie was also named the AIHL’s Local Player of the Year.

Kubara, who turned 20 this year, took the league by storm in 2016, setting new league records for goals (16), assists (33) and points (49) by an Australian rookie. His 49-point tally ranked him ninth in the league and second on the Brave, behind Geordie Wudrick and tied with Mathieu Guertin.

“It’s been great year,” Kubara said. “I have to give a lot of credit to my linemates; I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m just happy to be part of a great organisation and doing what I can.”

This season, Casey joined his older brother Tyler in the nation’s capital for his first full season in the AIHL and speedy forward was a perfect fit on the Brave’s top line.

As the AIHL season comes to an end, Kubara already has his sights set on his next hockey goal, as he heads back to the US to continue his development.

“I fly out…to Philadelphia. I’ve signed with a team in the Eastern Hockey League playing junior hockey.”

Kubara also spoke about his aspirations of combining his education with a full time hockey career.

“I’ve spoken with a few NCAA colleges and I’ve been accepted into a few, I’ll take it from there and hopefully go to college next year.”

Asked if the chance of winning a maiden Goodall Cup with the CBR Brave would entice him back for another season in the AIHL, the young star was positive of a return to go a step further than in 2016.

“That’s the goal, that why we come here – we definitely know what it takes to do it, we’ve just got to come back and sacrifice everything for the Goodall Cup.”