When it comes to the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) imports play a big role in the direction of a team.
High calibre arrivals from North America, UK and Europe grace our shores each summer raising the level of play.
The 2025/26 AWIHL season has risen the bar once again as each team fills it’s import spots.
I take a look at each team and one import player that has stood out and electrified the crowds.
Adelaide Rush
Is there anyone else to pick than Jordan Kulbida?
It’s been back-to-back stellar seasons for the Canadian in the red and blue of the Rush.
Backing up a 20-goal debut AWIHL season with 18 goals from 16 games this season, Kulbida continues to impress.
An electric forward that can change the game in an instance, has terrific skating and puck handling ability and drives to the net.
However, watching Kulbida is worth the price of admission alone and has helped improve AWIHL game play.
Adelaide have got a beauty in Kulbida who seems to enjoy life down under.
Brisbane Lightning
It’s hard to imagine that when Brisbane signed an import this season it could surpass Emma Wuthrich.
Enter, Ani FitzGerald and the dynamic forward has shown all the class a Boston University alumi possesses.
Strong across all three zones FitzGerald has breathed new life into the Lightning for the 2025/26 season.
Uniquely, when it comes to the big moments FitzGerald rises to the occasion scoring clutch goals and making big plays.
Sitting on the best line in the AWIHL, FitzGerald has been a massive signing for the Brisbane outfit.
Furthermore, it might not be a one and done for the Boondall sniper in the AWIHL so watch this space.
Melbourne Ducks
There were big wraps on Jelena Grkovic before arriving in the AWIHL, the fast-skating defender had a reputation of big blueline goals.
The Hungarian international has given the Ducks plenty of highlight reel plays across the season.
Jumping up off the rush and contributing offence and sitting at just under a point per game is huge for a defender in any league.
Grkovic was the first import signing for the Ducks as they headed into their inaugural AWIHL season and it’s been a positive one.
Both Grkovic and the Ducks have grown together throughout the season as they build the team from scratch.
Into the future it will be interesting to see if the Ducks bring back Grkovic for another season or they go in a different direction.
For the fans, it would be a sobering moment, as the memories of deking top shelf goals are fresh in the minds of those who visit The Pond.
Melbourne Ice
When it comes to the defending champions their import roster spots have always been very solid.
Karmen Anderson hit the ground running when she arrived at the Ice, someone who has filled the absence of Ashlie Aparicio seamlessly.
Fresh out of Adrian College – a happy hunting ground for the AWIHL, Anderson is set to hit the 10 goal mark this season.
Finding the back of the net ten times is a solid return for any hockey league in the world.
Anderson plays a great role in helping teammates find space and time on the ice, with great playmaking ability.
With 18 assists from 17 games played, Anderson is a real driver of the play and gives the Ice a different look to goal.
If we are talking about positives for the Ice this season, a green tick sits next to Anderson as a top signing.
Perth Inferno
There is something to be said about an import that wears the C for an AWIHL club.
Katherine Bailey has been outstanding for the Inferno this season as they sit top of the standings.
The 30-year-old blueliner has been an imposing and calm presence across all 16 games played.
Chipping in on the offence with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) it’s the defence play and ability to control tempo that stands out.
Paired alongside Zoe Webb, Bailey has set the tone from the opening puck drop, taking control of the game from the outset.
Furthermore, in the big moments Bailey stands out, either settling things down or jumping on the rush for a big play.
Bailey has been a big factor in the Inferno season and is clearly worthy of the captain’s title.
Sydney Sirens
One of my favourite players in the AWIHL Shelbi Guttormson has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Sirens.
Arriving from Minnesota State University, the 22-year-old has transformed the Sirens into legitimate cup contenders.
Alongside captain and star Sarah Edney, Guttormson opened up different avenues of scoring for the Sirens.
Leading the Sirens with 23 goals, it’s been the biggest import signing of the season in terms of team impact and presence.
Sitting nine points clear in a finals spot with two games remaining, it’s the play from Guttormson that has pushed the Annelie Kvisle team towards post season hockey.
The scary thing for the rest of the AWIHL, the American is only just 22-years-old.
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