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Written by Team Management
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 10:43 |
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Southern Stars at Acacia Ridge To Host Two Blue Tongue Home Games
The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues have agreed to play two of their home games this coming year at Iceworld in Acacia Ridge (Brisbane).
The games will be played at 4.00 PM on Sunday, 2 May VS Canberra Knights and Sunday, 4 July VS Melbourne Ice.
Blue Tongues General Manager, Dave Emblem said, “since moving from Brisbane to the Gold Coast two years ago, the Club feels we are in a position now to spread the opportunity for people in Logan and Brisbane to see the Blue Tongues live in their backyard.”
Iceworld (www.iceworld.com.au ) at Acacia Ridge is an Olympic size playing surface, and Emblem is confident in saying, “We have no doubt our faithful fans from the Gold Coast will travel to Acacia Ridge to see the Blue Tongues free wheel on that massive playing surface”.
The Southern Stars Ice Hockey Club caters for all ages from juniors as young as under 10 to seniors of all ages. President of the Southern Stars Ice Hockey Club, Richard Wall said, “The Southern Stars Ice Hockey Club is very proud to be given the opportunity to host Blue Tongues AIHL games at our home rink. What a great opportunity to showcase the Blue Tongues to our members, family, friends and spectators. This will be especially great for our juniors who will see top level hockey, get close to some of their idols and see just how far they can go in the sport we love!”
The Southern Stars Club have actively been promoting “Come & Try” ice hockey clinics for all newcomers to the sport, and have had such a great response have had to extend the clinics over two extra weekends. Players from the Blue Tongues have been assisting the Southern Stars club in running the clinics, and the players have loved seeing the enthusiasm of the young kids.
Both the Southern Stars and the Blue Tongues are looking forward to putting on a great show for everyone concerned and hope there will be many more to come. President Wall had one closing word, “the Southern Stars Ice Hockey Club wish you all the success possible and are 100% behind you, Go Blue Tongues!" |
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Written by Vincenzo Rugari
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 04:09 |
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BLUE TONGUES SIGN ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER
- By Vincenzo Rugari
The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues have further strengthened their ice hockey roster for 2010, signing Canadian forward, Dallas Costanzo as their third import player.
Costanzo, currently impressing with the Romford Raiders in England, will join the Queensland side after earlier spells in Canada and the United States.
The 26-year-old grew up playing ice hockey in British Columbia, and played for the Vernon Vipers in the BCHL. After his junior days at Vernon, Dallas went on to play for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary and then the Central Hockey League in the USA for the Mississippi River Kings.
He then moved to Romford, and despite the team languishing in last place on the ladder, Costanzo is dominating his team’s scoring with 42 points in 42.
Costanzo said he has long harboured the dream of playing ice hockey in Australia, and was looking forward to making it a reality.
"I have had a lot of friends visit the Gold Coast and from the pictures I have seen and the stories they have told, it’s an experience I would love to have," he said.
"My girlfriend’s family is in Australia and her brother, Chris Quinn played for the Blue Tongues, and I have heard nothing but great things. I mean, playing the sport I love in one of the most beautiful parts in the world, I just couldn't say no."
Costanzo, a no-nonsense team player, believes his commitment to his teammates is the biggest strength of his game.
"The one aspect you can expect to see out of me is that I give 110% each and every game. I love the game of hockey and you will never see anything less from me. I am an athlete that takes pride in making sure I do all the little things right so the team can win games. I am really looking forward to helping the team make the finals," he said.
Blue Tongues General Manager Dave Emblem said he was very excited to sign the team's third import.
“Dallas brings an all around game in both offense and defense that we are looking for to compliment the team‘s first two import signings and goal scorers, Mike McRae, and last year’s AIHL MVP and leading scorer, Brad Smulders,” he said.
“If we can see the same effort Dallas is putting in with a team that is struggling in the Premier League in England then we know he will relish the opportunity of winning games week to week with the Blue Tongues. The fans will love him.”
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 04:20 |
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Written by Vincenzo Rugari
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Sunday, 28 February 2010 20:21 |
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BLUE TONGUES SIGN 2ND IMPORT FROM BELGIUM FOR 2010
- By Vincenzo Rugari
 The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues have made their second import signing, with American Mike McRae joining the club for the 2010 season.
The 28-year-old forward has an impressive resume at professional level in both the United States and across Europe, and will join the club next month in time for the team's opening game May 1 on the Gold Coast against Canberra Knights.
McRae, currently playing in Belgium, last played with Eaters Galeen in Holland. In only 9 games, he scored 5 goals and a total of 14 points. In 2009, McRae played in the All-American Hockey League, starting the season with the Detroit Dragons and finishing with the Evansville Iceman. Playing in 37 games, McRae scored an impressive 76 points, including 31 goals.
McRae said he could not contain his excitement in coming to play in Queensland.
"When I tell people I will be playing on the Gold Coast the answer is the same - that it's amazing," he said.
"I never dreamed of playing in Australia, it is just one of those places that is so far away and I am very grateful for this opportunity. To play the game I love there is just such a added bonus, and it's something not many people can say they have done in their lifetime."
McRae - standing at 186cm and weighing 102kg - said he can't wait to help the side reach its elusive first championship.
"I am a big skilled forward that can put the puck in the net. I will give it everything I have and I will bring good things on and off the ice," he said.
McRae's arrival comes after the Blue Tongues' resigning of Brad Smulders, the AIHL's reigning MVP and top scorer.
Blue Tongues General Manager Dave Emblem said the combination of Smulders and McRae could help the team go one better this year.
"Mike will bring the added scoring punch this season we need to take us that one step further in the finals. With Mike's reputation as a scoring forward we are hoping this will free up Brad Smulders to reproduce his record breaking season last year."
Media Contact:
Dave Emblem 0414 643 733
http://www.bluetongues.com.au/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Written by Dave Emblem
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Friday, 26 February 2010 00:14 |
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Blue Tongue Ice Hockey Community in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast!
The Canadian-Australian Club both Brisbane and Gold Coast chapters invite you all to come and watch the Canada VS Slovakia Olympic Semi Final 12.30 PM this Saturday at the Titanium Bar.
Join in the atmosphere and say hi to other like minded, fun loving hockey followers and cheer on Canada!!!
Where: Titanium bar
30 Ferny Ave, Chervron Island
When: Saturday 27 February at 12:30pm |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 05:13 |
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Written by Team Management
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Friday, 06 November 2009 04:31 |
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Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongue’s star forward Brad Smulders has signed a one-year contract extension, making him the team’s first import signing for the 2010 season.
Smulders, 25, scored an Australian Ice Hockey League season record 33 goals in 2009 on his way to being voted team and AIHL Most Valuable Player. He also racked up 43 assists for the Blue Tongues before the team was knocked out of the playoffs earlier this year.
Smulders’ return is unusual for an import hockey player, as most don’t return to Australia after one season. But he said his desire to win silverware for the Gold Coast drew him back.
"I wanted to come back to the Blue Tongues because I met a lot of great people and I feel the team has a great chance of winning the championship," Smulders said from Holland, where he is currently playing with the Nijmegen Devils. "The people surrounding the organisation deserve to win something and I would love to be part of that."
Smulders, a native of Canada, said he didn’t think twice when offered the chance to play another season for the Blue Tongues. He cited the fans, the beach and the atmosphere of playing in Australia as contributing factors to his contract extension.
"I really love playing in Australia because hockey is not as popular and fans get a little more excited because of it," Smulders said. "For myself, I just want to win and have fun and score a few goals doing it."
Now re-signed, Smulders hopes to resume his winning, fun-loving and goal-scoring ways in April, when the Blue Tongue’s start their new season. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 28 February 2010 20:37 |
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Written by Sam Hansen
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 11:28 |
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Following a strong 2009 campaign which saw the Blue Tongues make the AIHL Finals for the first time in franchise history, the Blue Tongues are back and preparing for a strong 2010 campaign.
The final 2010 match schedule has been released and can be found live on the website by clicking on the "Schedule" option under the "Game Day" menu.
This season will see the Blue Tongues play 24 games, 12 each on the road at at home. Last season the Blue Tongues were near perfect at home and plan to continue that success in the coming season with the return of AIHL Scoring Record holder Brad Smulders and the return of local favorites Ross Howell, Jon Bale and Ben Spillane. In a change from previous seasons this year the Blue Tongues will play back-to-back road games on the road against the North Stars, minimising travel between Newcastle and Sydney.
The 2010 AIHL season officially starts on April 24, however the Blue Tongues first game will be at home against the visiting Canberra Knights on May 1.
The AIHL Finals this year will be held on the weekend of August 28 & 29. The finals location has not yet been confirmed. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 00:02 |
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Written by Sam Hansen
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Sunday, 04 October 2009 09:41 |
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Gold Coast Blue Tongues management, players and supporters gathered at the Benowa Tavern on September 1 to celebrate a successful season of Blue Tongues hockey at the annual Awards night.
Brad Smulders won the award for Most Valuable Player (MVP) after putting up huge numbers to set a team and league record of 77 points (35G 44A).
The Best Local Player award was shared between Jon Bale (7G 4A) and team Captain Ross "Rosco" Howell (3G 6A). Jon stepped up his game this season and excelled at all areas of his game, including special teams. Rosco, a natural defenseman played the season switching between the forward and defense positions, and excelled at his game no matter what position he played. A true leader of the team, Rosco played in the semi-final game against the North Stars with an injured ankle, playing through pain to help the team.
Cam Trew (1G 4A) was voted the Most Improved player this season. While not a player who puts up big numbers, Cam could always be counted on to block shots, jam the passing lanes and win puck battles in the corners. The team sees nothing but improvement in Cam's game in the coming seasons.
In a show of support to the fans, Craig "Bluey" Duncan was voted fan favorite. Bluey traveled with the team on almost all road games and was always there to help cheer the team on, win or lose. The team would like to thank Bluey, and all other Tongues fans for their support this season.
Dave Emblem (General Manager) and Kevin Sands (Head Coach) also thanked the rest of the team, volunteers, announcers and all others who helped during the season.
The Blue Tongues are dedicated to building a solid team for the future and look forward to a successful 2010 AIHL campaign. Off ice training is set to begin in late 2009. |
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