Hockey is back!

The Newcastle Northstars will return to top-tier ice hockey in 2021, joining fellow AIHL teams the Sydney Ice Dogs and the CBR Brave for a COVID-safe competition to be known as the Mick McCormack Cup, presented by the AIHL.

Opening night is at home on Sunday the 9^th of May, the first of sixteen games for the Northstars, with the final game of the season on August 22^nd in Canberra. There will be eight home games played at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium for the Newcastle squad, consisting of three Saturday night games (start time 5pm) and five Sunday night games (start time 4pm).

In addition to the eight McCormack Cup games away, the Northstars will play an exhibition game at Macquarie rink in North Ryde versus the Sydney Bears on Saturday the 24^th of April, who are otherwise unavailable to compete in the McCormack Cup.

CBR Brave will play out of their regular home in Phillips, ACT, while the Ice Dogs will be located closer than usual, playing from Erina Ice World on the Central Coast.

Northstars GM Garry Doré believes the fierce rivalries between the three teams will fuel a gripping competition featuring the best of local talent.

“The McCormack Cup competition will feature the rivalries and action we’ve been missing since the pandemic affected us a year ago in March 2020”, said Doré.

“Newcastle has such a great core of local players and veterans that will make us very tough to beat.

“The McCormack Cup allows us to continue playing top-tier hockey in front of fans, keeps our players sharp and develops our talent for the expected return of a full AIHL season in 2022.”

Ticket purchasing information will be released on Wednesday the 31st of March. Sponsors and season ticket holders will be contacted by HISS over the next week prior to ticketing information release to the public.