It was another season of growth and excitement across the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL).
The 2025/26 season was packed full of surprises, big occasions, special performances and highlight reel moments.
Big off-season news was the announcement of expansion into the league providing more opportunities for players.
It was billed to be the biggest and best season the league had to date, and it didn’t disappoint as women’s hockey continues to grow.
With the AWIHL season done I look back at five things that were top of my list of great moments.
Inferno are so hot right now
It was a history making season in more ways than one, a new champion as Perth Inferno lifted the Joan McKowen Trophy.
Furthermore, a team that had been knocking on the door in recent seasons finally broke through for their first championship in club history.
Player personnel changes in the offseason increased the depth and quality of the Inferno roster as they finished on top of the standings.
Sara Sammons was the star of the show out west, racking up an incredible 50 regular season points (21 goals, 29 assists) in electrifying fashion.
A mid-season coaching change didn’t halter team direction, as John Kennedy Jr guided the Inferno to cup glory.
Inferno have a passionate fanbase, often selling out Cockburn Ice Arena, now that success off the ice has translated onto the ice.
Premiers and champions all in the one season, Inferno take out top spot on my list.
A quacking good time
It was the huge news coming out of AWIHL headquarters, league expansion was happening as a sixth team entered the competition.
Melbourne Ducks, playing out of iceHQ, would take the ice officially after fulfilling exhibition series obligations before licence approval.
A big step in the right direction for the AWIHL and women’s hockey in Australia, the Ducks continued to build into their maiden campaign.
Although still searching for their first win, iceHQ was constantly filled with loud and passionate fans.
Uniquely, Ducks having their own rink increases a crosstown rivalry with the Ice year on year as they battle for city supremacy.
When I look back at the 2025/26 AWIHL season and the expansion era, you can’t help but be inspired by the continued growth.
To get a better idea of the Ducks you can watch my behind the scenes video.
Next generation of talent
The biggest thing that I get excited about when I am commentating or covering the AWIHL, is the amazing young talent emerging.
Each season there are always players that make their debuts or cement themselves into a lineup.
Olivia Gargano is a rising goaltender star for the Ducks, Anika Wegund has become a strong shutdown defender for the Adelaide Rush.
Sydney Sirens Lucy York continues to impress at 19-years-old, a career year in games and points the Canberra native was impressive.
They are just three players who have started their journey into AWIHL life and have hit the ground running.
Goaltenders have dominated the young talent stocks in recent seasons, but now we are seeing out skaters become part of the watercooler talk.
A positive sign to see young players securing roster spots in Australia’s elite competition.
Import level rising
When you think about the AWIHL one thing that continues to get better each season is the imports that arrive.
As a competition, the AWIHL is now at a level where it is starting to attract quality import players from North America and Europe.
Four imports finished inside the top 10 for points – Ani Fitzgerald and Emma Wuthrich (Brisbane), Shelbi Guttormson (Sydney) and Jordan Kulbida (Adelaide).
All combing for 86 regular season goals, with three of the four hitting the back of the cage more than 20 times.
Furthermore, these are the players that not only raise the level of play in the AWIHL, but they also bring people through the doors.
It’s the biggest promotional drawcard the AWIHL has, when you have players from Boston University and Minnesota State suiting up it shows the growth in league respect worldwide.
No doubt the 2026/27 AWIHL season will attract even bigger names, maybe there might be some returning players too.
The heartbeat of the AWIHL
It is no secret that the AWIHL needs help in a lot of areas, with league sponsorship being the most glaring.
However, when it comes to fandom the AWIHL has a core group of fans that pack the stands each game.
Whether it was Cockburn Arena or the Ice ArenA, AWIHL fans continued to show up in large numbers.
Finals at O’Brien Icehouse was another successful weekend of colour and noise from both Melbourne based and travelling fans.
What the weekend highlighted is that there is a strong base that the AWIHL can use to garner sponsorship support moving forward. It’s the easiest home run for the AWIHL.
For those that showed up and showed out across every round of the AWIHL season, thank you.
You are the life blood of this league and when the time comes for the competition to truly blow up, it’s off the back of that passionate support.
Another successful season ticked off with packed stands and loud supporters of the AWIHL.
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