Auckland Mako

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Auckland Mako
Auckland Mako logo.png
CityAuckland, New Zealand
LeagueNew Zealand Ice Hockey League
2021 – present
Founded2021[1]
Home arena &
(capacity: 500[2] & 400[3])
ColoursGrey, light grey, black, white
       
General managerNew Zealand
Head coachGermany &
Canada
WebsiteAuckland Mako

The Auckland Mako are an ice hockey team in Auckland, New Zealand, that plays in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League, the top tier of the sport in New Zealand. The team is based in Auckland and play their home games at both and , alternating between the two.[4]

History[]

Founded in 2021, the Auckland Mako are the sixth team to join the New Zealand Ice Hockey League, and the first to do so since the Dunedin Thunder joined the four foundation clubs in 2008 and will begin play in the 2021–22 season.[5] The Mako will split their home games between Auckland's two ice rinks in Avondale and Botany Downs, and will travel around the country to play away games against NZIHL opposition.[4] The teams roster will mainly be made up of players under the age of 23, with additional veteran 'mentor' players to provide leadership, in order to help provide younger players with a pathway into the NZIHL.[4]

On February 26, 2021, the Mako announced that they would have two Co-Head Coaches, & ,[6] both of whom have former NZIHL experience. Spiller was also announced to be one of the nine initial mentor players.[6]

Team[]

The Mako are a unique team in that they do not have any contracted players, rather they are made up primarily of U-23 players contracted to other NZIHL teams. In the event that the Mako play against the players contracted team, the player will play for their contracted team and not the Mako.[7] In addition to the U-23 players, there will be a smaller group of older players to provide leadership. These players will also be contracted to other NZIHL teams and will play on the same terms as the U-23 players.[7] Due to the rotational nature of the teams roster, and the fact that they will be playing fewer games than the other NZIHL teams, Mako games will not count towards NZIHL standings, and they will be not be eligible for the play-offs, however, individual player stats will be tracked.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ "Auckland Mako on NZIHL". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "Paradice Avondale". HockeyArenas.net. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  3. ^ "Paradice Botany Downs". HockeyArenas.net. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "New Zealand Ice Hockey League Announce Launch of New Team, Auckland Mako". New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "NZIHL expands to include Auckland Mako Under-23 team". New Zealand Sports Wire. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Auckland Mako Announce First Batch of Players & Staff". Auckland Mako. February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "About Us - Auckland Mako Under-23 team". Auckland Mako. Retrieved February 27, 2021.

External links[]


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