It’s fast-paced, skilful and just a little bit rough and tough and Tom Brum and Hugo Sutherland are hooked on ice hockey for all those reasons and more.
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Tom, 11, and Hugo, 8, were members of the Northstars Youngstars who represented the Newcastle based club at the recent annual Coffs Harbour 3 on 3 Skirmish tournament.
The 3 on 3 skirmish form of the game is an even faster paced version of the traditional ice hockey game played on a smaller rink.
Tom, who comes from Cessnock, represented the Atoms and Hugo, from Kurri Kurri, played in the Mites (or Squirts) side. The club also sent a Pee Wee’s side which took out silver.
Hugo, who has been skating for just a year, was the rookie in the Mites side but with the support of more experienced team mates had a great tournament, with the Mites coming away with the silver medal in a nail-biting grand final.
Tom’s Atoms played their hearts out but didn’t figure in the play-offs.
Tom took up the sport two years ago and as an all-round talent shares his time on the main ice as well as in goal.
His mother, Julia Gray, said Tom was invited to try the sport when he was spotted skating with his father at the Warners Bay Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on a public skating day.
“He enjoyed skating and had played field hockey so he was keen to try it out,” Julia said.
It’s now his sporting passion and he travels four times a week to train at either Warners Bay or in Liverpool with an elite talent program.
“Like many parents we had no idea that ice hockey was a sporting option for our kids, but the support we have received is phenomenal. We describe the NorthStars as our ice hockey ‘family’. It really is like a family,” Julia said.
“We really just wanted to find a sport Tom loved and ice hockey is it. He is thriving and really has taken to it like a duck to water.
“He is so committed with all his training and while he maintains that interest we will do everything we can to support him.”
Hugo and his brother Felix, 9, are just as committed to the sport.
“The boys had a try at ice skating and Felix was really interested in taking skating lessons, Hugo just wanted to play ice hockey,” their mum Heather Sutherland said.
“Felix watched Hugo from the sidelines a couple of times and couldn’t resist joining in the fun, so now everything is ice hockey. You can’t keep them off the ice.
“The coaches and everyone involved are just so supportive it really is a family and we wanted to let people know that the sport is alive and thriving in the Hunter.”
Ice hockey is in the spotlight after Nathan Walker took to the ice with Washington Capitals to become the first Australian to play in America’s NHL.
