Melbourne is regarded as the sports capital of Australia. Getting to represent the city on a national level in sport is one of the highest honours.
Being asked to captain one of the many sports clubs that get national and international coverage is special. In the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) that is the Melbourne Ice and Mustangs.
Nicklas Lidström, Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby are just a few of the great ice hockey captains the NHL has had. All melding with a city’s culture and fabric.
Sean Jones, Brendan McDowell, Jason Baclig, Lliam Webster are some who have donned the C throughout Melbourne Derby history.
Blue side of Melbourne
“It’s pretty much you get four extra finals and it’s every time we play them [the Mustangs] – the rivalry is so big,” Ice captain Mackenzie Caruana told Hockey Hype Australia.
“It feels like it’s a finals game. The intensity is high. Each team brings their best.
“And yeah, normally it’s a pretty intense game.”
Hitting the ice, for any player it is win at all costs, getting that edge to beat your opponent.
In derby games the level increases, there are bragging rights and a drive to get one over your cross-corridor rivals.
“I think I just love the intensity, the hatred between both teams,” continued Caruana.
“I know a lot of guys know each other off the ice, but when we’re on the ice, it’s all business.
“Both teams want to win and beat each other more than anyone in the league.
“So, it’s a big, big rivalry down the hall and these games are circled on the calendar for sure.”
What this rivalry means to the AIHL and Melbourne ice hockey isn’t lost on Caruana. As captain there is a responsibility to get the wins.
However, it also has a big impact on the sporting landscape beyond the ice rink.
“Oh, it’s massive,” said Caruana.
“I’ve seen it over the last, definitely since COVID, since we have returned. How big the AIHL has grown.
“Just people have come to the games who have never been, are rushing back and it’s definitely games like this where the atmosphere is high, and people are engaged.
“It’s physical. People love coming to this. It’s a Friday night. So, normally it is one game of footy or one game of rugby on and if it’s out of state then it’s a perfect opportunity for people to come down.
“So, it’s pretty cool. It’s a stand-alone game normally in the league, so it’s a pretty big opportunity.”
The Ice are flying this season in the AIHL, sitting second in the Hellyer Conference and looking towards finals.
Caruana hasn’t been on the right side of many winning derby games, but still has a favourite moment.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t been on the right side of too many over the last few years,” continued Caruana.
“I had a good moment watching while I was away, us boys winning this year.
“Had another pretty good one [on] Canada Day a few years ago, scored the game winning goal like a minute or two left, obviously was one of our only wins in the Derby, so that was pretty good.
“But no, unfortunately not enough good memories, but I’d like to get a few more moving forward.”
Bleeding Orange
“Yeah, it’s huge,” Mustangs captain Todd Cutter told Hockey Hype Australia.
“The Melbourne Derby is big in itself. But being the captain of one of the teams I wouldn’t say with how I operate as a captain there is a lot of weight on my shoulders. I’ve got an amazing team behind me.
“But it’s huge. It’s almost like its own premiership in its own.”
Mustangs have seen massive increases in attendance following their 2023 Goodall Cup championship season.
Memberships were exhausted and had to be put on hold, there is now a waiting list for future members.
It’s this support that strikes Cutter straight away when thinking about the derby.
“I think just the atmosphere, not even the crowds, but also the teams, we just get that extra bit of hype,” said Cutter.
“Everyone goes a little bit harder like that game was there [third derby in 2024]. It’s pretty nitty and gritty. Both very skilled teams.
“So, I think it’s just that competitiveness when we play each other.”
Becoming a game that is first marked on the season schedule, the Melbourne derby builds year on year.
Its sold-out crowds and big-time occasions have put it on the map in a sports mad city like Melbourne.
“It’s huge. Melbourne is a huge sporting city in general,” continued Cutter.
“Everyone who plays hockey in Australia is trying to grow this sport. I think a derby like that having you know such a big sporting city [in] this amazing complex [O’Brien Icehouse] here.
“Hopefully it keeps doing wonders and we get more and more crowds, because it’s just getting bigger and bigger every year.”
Third season in Mustangs colours and first as captain, Cutter looks back at favourite moments and it’s hard to pick.
Furthermore, what stands out for Cutter is just the moment, understanding how big these games are and what it means.
“I don’t have a particular moment,” said Cutter
“I think like the other guys will say it on the other side, down the end of the hallway, I think it’s just winning those games.
“Having those moments and sharing with your teammates. They’re huge games.”
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