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HELLYER LADDER

Team	GP	W	L	PTS
Ice	4	4	0	12
Thunder	6	4	2	12
Bears	4	3	1	9
Mustangs	2	1	1	3
Ice Dogs	5	1	4	3

RURAK LADDER

Team	GP	W	L	OTW	OTL	PTS
Northstars	4	3	0	1	0	11
Lightning	6	3	3	0	0	9
Adrenaline	3	1	1	0	1	4
Brave	6	1	5	0	0	3
Rhinos	4	0	4	0	0	0

SCORING LEADERS

Jeremiah
Addison (PER)

Player	Points
Aiden Wagner (NNS)	18
Wehebe Darge (NNS)	15
francis Drolet (NNS)	15
Zane Jones (PER)	13

GOALIE LEADERS

N Novysedlak (BRE)

1.000

Goalie	SV%
Rhys Pelliccione (PER)	.950
Tatsunoshin Ishida (MIC)	.933
Leo Bertein (PER)	.905
Charles Smart (NNS)	.903

Wudrick, Safar honours add to Goodall win

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - Submitted by Bianca Gibson

The Newcastle North Stars’ victory on Sunday night was particularly sweet for star imports Jan Safar and Geordie Wudrick as they received individual awards for their efforts throughout the season.

Jan Safar walked away as 2015’s Defenceman of the Year and Geordie Wudrick claimed both the regular season and finals MVP awards.

28-year old Safar took the opportunity to officially announce his retirement from ice hockey, accepting a coaching position at the Okanagan hockey academy in Austria.

Gary Prior, Safar’s former coach in Holland, offered him the coaching opportunity and he jumped on the chance.

“I can’t wait to start this new chapter,” Safar said, claiming that he felt the time was right to step down while he’s on top. “I always wanted to coach after I finished playing hockey.”

Grateful for his time in Newcastle and the relationships forged with the North Stars, he has the opportunity to pass on his skillset and knowledge as a coach in Europe.

Safar has worked hard off the ice during his career, taking away 57 points and an essential Grand Final goal in the 2015 AIHL Grand Final.

“I don’t think I’ve ever won an award like this before, so it’s huge for me,” he said of the Defenceman of the Year trophy. “I’m really happy that they chose me and it’s an amazing feeling and I will carry this in my heart for the rest of my life.”

Having unfortunately missed the playoffs in his North American season with the Fayetteville FireAnts, winning the Goodall Cup was an amazing turnaround and achievement for Safar and the perfect way to conclude his time with the North Stars.

Similarly, in what he describes as the one of the “coolest experiences” in his life, a humble Geordie Wudrick, who tallied up a massive 96 points this season in just 30 games, applauded the team’s effort of the North Stars over his own achievements.

“The [MVP] awards aren’t even a big deal to me,” Wudrick said on his individual wins. “The only thing I was worried about was trying to win the Goodall Cup.”

Everything came together for the North Stars this weekend and Wudrick, with four goals and five total points, attributes it to the close-knit relationship between staff and players.

“It surreal,” he explained. “You work so hard for so many months with some of your best friends and we’re able to go out and lift that trophy above our heads.”

As the North Stars celebrate their fifth Goodall Cup win, Wudrick is already planning his new routine and next move.

“I got to get back working out and get ready for [the North American] season and hopefully come April I’ll be able to come back to Newcastle,” he said.

Rotating between North America and Australia gives Wudrick more ice time and an opportunity to get the most out of the sport he loves.

“I know I was born to do this,” he said. “That’s all I ever want to do, is play hockey.”

Both men acknowledged their teammates and their efforts that were integral to their success.

“As soon as I got to Newcastle I knew we had something special because every single player on our team, they have heart for our team,” Safar said, as he farewells Newcastle. “I’ve never been a part of a more dedicated group in my life and I will never forget this.”

“We have fun together, we’re all best friends,” Wudrick added. “I think everyone plays so hard for each other and that’s why we’ve been able to win so many games and we were able to win two more games this weekend.”

During Australia’s off season Safar will continue his ice hockey career off-ice as he pursues his coaching ambition, while Wudrick hopes to return to North America as their 2015-16 season begins.

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