We are five days away from the first puck drop in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) season when it begins on November 8, and billed to be the best yet.
Expansion teams and high calibre import signings have created a buzz, on top of local Australian talent continuing to raise the bar on the ice.
Looking across all six teams, I have selected two players per team and break down why I think they will be important for each clubs success.
Adelaide Rush
Blueline importance
With the departure of Aspen Cooper to the Inferno, and Maya Tupper to Hokkaido Barbarians HC Infinity, all eyes will be on Kirsty Venus.
Adelaide’s blueline is looking a lot different from the past few seasons but Venus has continued to be the constant.
A pure skater and someone that can go coast-to-coast, Venus will play a massive rule for the Rush on the defensive end.
Back-to-back career seasons in points, the Rush will be looking to Venus for more of the same for the 2025/26 season.
Adelaide finished top of the standings last season and Venus will play a key role again.
Rising star between the pipes
It was a massive breakout season for Emma Moonen between the pipes in Adelaide.
Picking up eight wins with a 2.66 GAA (goals against average) and a .833 SV% (save percentage) through the 2024/25 season.
Adelaide seems to have found their goaltender for the future, 23-year-old Moonen, is continuing to grow and get better with experience.
A new look defensive group for the Rush this season it might take Moonen a couple of games to get comfortable, but there are no doubts she can rise to the occasion.
With a lot of change on the Rush blueline the young stopper will be an important piece for a deep finals run.
Brisbane Lightning
Terrier duo arrives
There is something about the Brisbane Lightning and Boston University (BU), it’s happy hunting ground for the Boondall club.
Massive news broke Monday evening when it was announced Emma Wuthrich will be suiting up once against for the Lightning.
Wuthrich lit up the AWIHL during the 2023/24 season, putting up 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) from 16 games played and was electric on the ice.
Add in fresh BU import Ani FitzGerald and all of a sudden the Lightning have a Terrier connection and a strong one-two punch.
Lightning have slowly been building throughout the past few seasons to solidify themselves as a genuine Joan McKowen Trophy threat.
These two signings might just be enough to tip them over the championship edge.
The coaching evolution
You can’t mention the Brisbane Lightning with Matt Meyer alongside it; the head coach signed on for his third season at the helm.
Guiding the Lightning to a silver place finish in the 2024/25 season and Queensland to Stephanie Boxall gold, the coaching career is going from strength to strength.
Furthermore, Meyer is continuing to build a culture of success inside the Lightning locker room.
The evolution of a coach is often overlooked for all the on-ice talent, Meyer is showing growth across all facets of the game.
Brisbane finished fourth with 18 points last season, the Lightning might just be closer to the top than the bottom at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Especially, factoring in the quality and squad depth the Queensland system is building.
Melbourne Ducks
Big time import splash
One of the biggest signings we have seen in the AWIHL, Jelena Grkovic arrives in Australia with an impressive resume.
Hungarian international and European pro hockey experience, Grkovic signed in the prime of their career at 28-years-old.
Known for a wicked slapshot, the defender will look to cause havoc across AWIHL bluelines and add defensive scoring power.
It is never known how imports will settle into Australian ice hockey, however, on paper Grkovic looks like a shrewd signing.
Ducks didn’t hold back any punches with their first big import signing.
Veteran presence from across the pond
Another import that the Melbourne Ducks signed this season and will bring a wealth of experience is Kellye Nelson.
The US born, New Zealand international, has had a storied career and now moves across the Tasman to help the Ducks in their maiden season.
Coming off a 25-point (12 goals, 13 assists) season from 12 games in the NZWIHL with the Wakatipu Wild Nelson is rolling.
Furthermore, Nelson will be important for the Ducks not only in leadership but scoring and providing enough offence to win games.
More NZWIHL players in the AWIHL is only a good thing.
Melbourne Ice
Jack of all trades
I am a big fan of Alita Jackwitz and if you watched her throughout the Ducks exhibition games you would feel the same.
Signing for the Melbourne Ice and debuting in her first AWIHL season, Jackwitz will shift into defence after playing as a forward for the Ducks.
Jackwitz has power and speed, skating is a big standout, which will become a vital asset across the blueline when exiting the defensive zone.
Making the crosstown switch to the defending champions will come with its own challenges, but look for Jackwitz to be a surprise contributor for the Ice.
There is always some added spice when a player shifts across town to the rival.
Big shoes to fill
On paper Karmen Anderson looks to be one of the most exciting imports to arrive in the AWIHL this season.
The 22-year-old forward has strong numbers with Adrian College in NCAA III across five seasons.
With 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in their last campaign, Anderson might hit the ground running immediately.
As Ashlie Aparicio departs for motherhood, Anderson will be important to help fill the engine room type void Aparicio carried for the Ice.
If paper is anything to go by Anderson will quickly become a fan favourite.
Perth Inferno
Big off season switch
Aspen Cooper made the off season switch from Adelaide Rush to Perth Inferno in a big move for the Infernos quest for the Joan McKowen Trophy.
23-year-old Canadian, Cooper, was outstanding in their debut season in the AWIHL on the Rush blueline.
Putting up 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) as the Adelaide outfit finished top of standings.
Cooper will join an Inferno blueline that contains Katherine Bailey and Georgia McLellan, making it one of the best in the AWIHL.
There might be some early teething issues as Cooper gets accustomed to life at Cockburn Ice Arena, but it looks like a perfect fit.
You can’t put a lasso on Del Basso
When Alivia Del Basso can play a full season in the AWIHL, she puts up numbers and scores highlight reel goals.
Del Basso can come up clutch in big moments for the Inferno, two goals in two finals games last season underlining that.
Heading into the 2025/26 season, Del Basso is going to be more important than ever for an Inferno team that has tailed off after finishing top of the standings and a silver medal in season 2023/24.
Barry Jones is the new head coach and Perth will be looking to take back their mantle as one of the best and most difficult teams to play.
Futhermore, Del Basso will be a key cog in the wheel if the Inferno are to make a deep finals run.
Sydney Sirens
Ready to lead ship again
One of the best players to set foot in the AWIHL Sarah Edney will once again be the Sirens most important player.
With back-to-back 20 goal seasons, the veteran shows no signs of slowing down and will look to get Sydney back into the finals picture.
Someone who could have played in the PWHL according to Erin Ambrose, Edney is a star and the league’s biggest marketing tool.
If the Sirens under new head coach Annelie Kvisle are to return into the finals, Edney will need to be at her offensive best once again.
There are no certainties in life, except Edney and scoring goals. Lock it in.
It all starts from the backend
Kelsie Lang had a strong first season in the AWIHL, putting up 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) from the Sirens blueline.
The former University of Calgary Dino settled into the lineup late in the season, with points in seven of their last eight games.
Furthermore, Lang returning for another season and knowing the Sirens culture and AWIHL landscape is huge.
31-year-old Lang will add bite and scoring punch, but more importantly leadership to the Sirens blueline.
There is a lot to like about the Sirens heading into the 2025/26 season, with Lang set to play a key role in a finals push.
If the Sirens can get 10 goals from the defender it will go a long way to securing a finals berth.
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