The Melbourne Mustangs officially presented their 2014 Championship banners to a sea of orange on Sunday afternoon. Before taking the ice against Sydney’s Ice Dogs, the Mustangs celebrated last year’s victories and presented the Goodall Cup for the final time this year.

The banners, celebrating the Goodall Cup and the H Newman Reid trophy wins in 2014, fly proudly in Melbourne’s Medibank Icehouse.

105 years after the first Goodall Cup was awarded in 1909, the Melbourne Mustangs are adding to the rich history and creating their own as they emerged for the first time as champions.

Coming into 2015, the expectations are high for the Mustangs and they have their eyes set on the top four, but they know it won’t be an easy road.

“We were the hunters. In 2015, we are the hunted,” MC John Beck said at the banner unveiling.

Coach Brad Vigon is happy with where is team is at and believes they are prepared as they head into the new season.

“We had a little bit of a hangover,” he said of winning the Goodall Cup. “And then as the season has started to creep closer, we started to train better.”

Mustangs vice president Andrew McDowell agrees the danger of the Goodall Cup hangover was very real and believes the team has worked hard to avoid it.  

“We actually stopped touching and holding the Goodall Cup quite a while ago,” he said, referring to the superstition in world ice hockey that no player should touch the championship trophy until his team has won the cup, which has been most popularised regarding the Stanley Cup in the NHL.

Team captain Sean Jones was initially approached to carry the cup onto the ice. However, Jones declined as he felt that moving into the 2015 season, the 2014 win was over with. 

“It’s a really interesting attitude,” McDowell admits. “I’m pretty proud of [the team]. It’s about moving on.”

Saturday’s banner reveal was a massive milestone in the life of the Mustangs’ hockey club and it was just as pivotal and inspiring for their devoted fan base. Many of whom have followed the Mustangs since their debut, witnessing their journey from fresh meat to champions.

While ice hockey’s popularity is on the rise, in a football-mad country, the sport it is still relatively low scale. This has created a thriving, intimate and close-knit fan culture. Many fans have forged personal friendships with players and officials, often attending functions and parties. 

“I’ve been involved with hockey for over 35 years. I’ve never done anything that has made so many people happy and has brought people together,” McDowell said, acknowledging the impact the sport and the Mustangs have made on the public.

“The word ‘family’ gets thrown around all the time. I think it’s about building a loyal following based on enjoyment.”

The respect between the team and their fans is indisputable. The ‘family’ that many refer to is a result of the communication and relationship between the parties.

The Mustangs and their fans will have the chance to show off the new banners at the upcoming Melbourne derby. For the first time, the previously unchallenged Melbourne Ice have to share their space with new champs.

The Melbourne derby will take place on Thursday night April 30 at 8pm.