No Phil Kessel but Ice Dogs unveil youth and veterans ahead of AIHL opener

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Despite coming close but ultimately not signing hot dogs enthusiast Phil Kessel on April Fool’s Day, the Sydney Ice Dogs have unveiled their side in a bid to return to the AIHL postseason in 2024, ahead of their season opening clash with the Sydney Bears at Macquarie Ice Arena this weekend.

The Ice Dogs have confirmed the addition of Swedish goaltender Arvid Ljung. The 31-year-old has spent the past three seasons in the EliteHockey Ligaen, with spells at Comet Halden and Narvik Hockey in the 2^nd division.

Canadian forward Alex McDonald will join the Sydney side to add some firepower up front. The 26 year-old right-handed centre has spent the past two seasons in the French Third Division with Toulouse-Blagnac.

Philippine forward Kenwrick Sze will also suit up for the Dogs under a new AIHL rule allowing roster space for players in the Asia-Pacific sector. Sze has represented his nation twice at the IIHF World’s level, with 23 points in the last two championships at the Division 3B and 4 level.

Joining the burgeoning young talent at the Ice Dogs will be Kiwi CJ Kemp. The 20-year-old has been part of the SkyCity Stampede since 2020 but has spent the past two northern hemisphere winters at the Ontario Jr Reign in the USPHL system.

Twin Towers Strat Allen and Grant Toulmin will return to the kennel for their 8^th AIHL seasons. An almost full compliment of locals return from last season, including the likes of Jake Doornbos, Jeremy Vasquez, Connor Lee, Jack Ransome, Max Miller, Matt Musumeci, Alec Stephenson among others. Young stars Dmitri and Ivan Kuleshov will return fresh off of their U20 national team outing in Serbia last month, under head coach Jason Kvisle.

Cam Todd and captain Daniel Pataky will head to Slovakia and then on to Serbia, as the Ice Dogs’ representatives for Australia at the Division 2A World Championships on April 20.

The most notable addition is the return of 195-game veteran Billy Cliff. Cliff last played for the Dogs in the 2018 season, before leaving to focus on his boxing career. Cliff also has 34 games in the green and gold at all levels and will add some grit to a youthful Sydney team.

The Ice Dogs take on the Sydney Bears in their opening AIHL game for 2024 this Saturday. Purchase tickets here.

Photo: Injected Ideas Photography