Well folks, here we find ourselves in yet another lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Although it is gloomy and rough without being able to lace up the boots or tune into an NZIHL game, there are ways to tough out this hockey-less period, such as by reminiscing what events have happened in New Zealand […]

New Zealand has never been one to be seen as an ice hockey playing nation. Rugby? Definitely. Netball? For sure. But ice hockey? If you asked a person on the street who their favourite national team was in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL), they would probably look at you like you just said

Skating really is one of the finer things in life. Nothing beats the sweet sound of the steel of the blades cutting through the ice as you zoom across the rink. Bliss. That is until you go for the turn but instead, blow your tires and are left feeling powerless as you spin into the

Cool, calm and collected, three words that are used to describe AJ Spiller. Having moved from the land of maple syrup and Celine Dion to one of mince & cheese pies and Dave Dobbyn only seven years ago, Spiller has already made his mark on the Auckland Ice Hockey Association (AIHA) as general manager, coach

Hockey sticks over the past year or two are starting to make significant leaps and bounds. From holes in blades for better pop to bends in sticks for an improved flex. We put so much importance on these carbon tubes because they are the most fundamental part of the game aside from skates and the

It has been almost a year now since the country entered its first lockdown and life, as we all know, changed. During the time we spent questioning reality and life itself as we stayed in our bubbles, we were forced to adapt and go without our weekly visits to local bars, staying away from mates

Wellington has always been a home for many things – politics, art, culture, craft beer, and wind… just to name a few. But it’s never been considered as a home for ice hockey. The capital has seemingly lagged behind some of New Zealand’s “big centres” when it comes to the sport taking hold. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and

In June, we explored the origins and beginnings of Centre Ice, as well as the Blong family and how they became synonymous with ice hockey in New Zealand. Last month, we took a look at Centre Ice as it operates today, and how Darren (its owner) is still heavily involved in the sport and helping the

PART 2: THE MIDDLE OF THE ICE Last month, we explored the origins and beginnings of Centre Ice, as well as the Blong family and how they became synonymous with ice hockey in New Zealand. This month, we’re taking a look at Centre Ice as it operates today, and how Darren (its owner) is still

PART 1: How it all started…   Centre Ice has been selling ice hockey equipment to Kiwis for decades, but its history goes back much further. From farmers in the far North in a small town called Ruawai, to owners of New Zealand’s larger ice rinks, the Blong family has become synonymous with ice hockey

Why do you play ice hockey? What’s the best part? A: I play hockey because I love it and it is really fun. The best part of hockey is the intensity of the game and how fast flowing it is.   When did you first start playing? A: I started when I was 5 and

It’s hard to know whether Jacinda Ardern has ever seen a game of ice hockey, let alone heard about its popularity in New Zealand. Regardless, she’s given Billy Sheard a Prime Minister’s scholarship in the sport thanks to the good old adage of “ask and you shall receive”. Indeed, Billy might be recognised as pioneer