Speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly

29 June 2010

I rise tonight to pay tribute to one of Canberra’s sporting teams—one of Canberra’s sporting teams that do not always get all the recognition they deserve and all the media attention that they deserve but, nonetheless, a fantastic team.

The Canberra Knights play in the Australian Ice Hockey League and do a great job. Ice hockey is a growing sport in the ACT, and indeed across Australia, and one that is very entertaining and exciting to watch and one that I very much enjoyed watching on 5 June when I saw the Knights play the Penrith Bears. It is a sport I am not overly familiar with but one that I hope to become more familiar with as I get to more of the games and get more involved in the ACT ice hockey community.

I would like to pay credit to those involved with the Canberra Knights—the players, the managers and also the sponsors. In particular, of the managers, I would like to commend the general manager, John Raut; the head coach, Dave Rogina; the assistant coach, Matthew Luoma; the manager, Andrew Deans; the photographer, Guido Rozdarz; the media liaison person, Kevin Teo; the sports medicine person, Melissa Rogina; the soft tissue therapist, Danielle Hobbs; and the merchandise person, Judy Deans.

I would like to commend those on the roster for the 2010 season: the forwards, Steven Deans, Garrett Delaquis, Jordan Gavin, Mike Johnston, Matti Luoma, Luke Philps, Stuart Philps, Alain Reisin, Ollie Rozdarz, Sean Scarbrough and Vadim Vrjassov; the defence; Alistair Band, Aaron Clayworth, Chris McPhail, Mark Rummukainen and Peter Taylor; and the goal tenders, Nickolas Eckhardt, Ryan Lowe, Justin Mendham and Stuart Woodall. Also in the squad are Blake Cameron, Daniel Ferrett, Sean McNeil, Bernard MacNamarra, Thomas O’Malley and Eric Bobbyn.

I commend the many Canberra businesses that are getting behind the Canberra Knights this season, in addition to the players and the crowd that go along to each of their home games. The 2010 sponsors are 104.7, Canberra Tourism, ActewAGL, the National Indigenous Times, Capital Signs, Chopperworks, Cinco Electrical Services, Climate Master, Coca-Cola, Diverse Data Communications, Full Boar, House of Cars, IGA, Jax Quickfit Tyres, Kitchen Connection, Lenobel, LJ Hooker, Ocean Fresh Seafoods, Paddywack Promotional Products, Popes Electrical and Data Supplies, Prime Canberra, Risetop, Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing, Southern Cross Health Club, Sport & Recreation ACT, Stuart Philps, Supreme Dry Cleaners, the Canberra Times, Tony Farrugia Bodyworks, Vili’s Pies, VIP, and Win Television.

I commend all those involved in the team and I wish them all the best for their remaining games for the season.