Lightning 2024 – A Look Ahead

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 2023 was an amazing inaugural year for the Brisbane Lightning.  An expansion team last year, the Lightning increased the Australian Ice Hockey League’s total number of teams to ten - along with fellow expansion team the Central Coast Rhinos and the two re-entrants from pre-COVID years the Adelaide Adrenaline and the Perth Thunder.  The first season was successful both on and off the ice for the Brisbane team.  Large numbers of fans came to see games at IceWorld Boondall, the players became well known in the hockey community in Brisbane, and the team competed hard to finish 3^rd in the Rurak Conference and make the playoffs!
 
With 2023 behind them, the Lightning are looking forward to some exciting times ahead.  The team has been transferred from state organisation ownership under the auspices of Ice Hockey Queensland into the hands of private owners.  This will allow the Lightning freedom to expand sponsorship opportunities and create new allegiances with both the hockey and non-hockey communities in South East Queensland.  More on the owners and their plans in an upcoming News entry!
 
While the team will definitely have some familiar faces around from last year, the 2024 season will bring changes in positions and some new blood into the Lightning team – both on and off the ice!  Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik returns behind the bench to once more guide the team in their pursuit of the Goodall Cup.  He will be joined this year by Assistant Coaches Josh Derko and Eamon MacKay.  Exciting news came out only a couple of weeks ago that also joining the coaching ranks for 2024 will be Mike Sirant.  The former coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons in Canadian University hockey will be a great addition to the team!  Look for an upcoming News feed for a profile of Mike Sirant and what he brings to the table for the Lightning and for the AIHL!
 
These are exciting times in Brisbane with the Lightning aiming to become a mainstay of in the AIHL playoffs nationally and a force in the local sporting market.  Stay tuned for regular updates!

Words by
Ivan Rapchuk