Mighty Roos looking to go one step further at 2019 IIHF World Championships

The Mighty Roos will begin their 2019 IIHF Division 2A World Championship campaign in Serbia on Wednesday, looking to go one further than their 2018 effort.

Australia claimed silver in the Netherlands last year, where they went undefeated throughout the tournament until running into the host nation and eventual winners in the gold medal game.

At the helm again this year, head coach Brad Vigon is embracing the challenge and looking to take the Roos that one step further up to Division 1B, for the first time since 2012.

Preparations for the 2019 IIHF tournament in the Czech Republic have been intense as is the norm.

“Our preparation has been great,” Vigon said.

“Tournaments like this give the guys an opportunity to be professionals for a period of time that they wouldn’t otherwise get.”

“We haven’t changed the systems too much. All the guys have been playing for me for a while now so they are familiar with them and they are at a point where it’s second nature to them – they’re just playing and not needing to think about it.”

There has only been a slight change in the preparations from previous years, albeit a logistical one.

“We’re getting a bus down to Serbia instead of a plane,” Vigon said.

“We thought we’d try something different this year in that regard. It gives the players time to relax and stretch their legs. It also means we don’t have to worry about our equipment.”

The 2019 tournament features a lot of the same faces on the opposing bench, along with a couple of new ones. Croatia were relegated from Division 1B last year and have come down to Division 2A. Spain were promoted from Division 2B and join Belgium, China and host nation Serbia as the Roos’ opposition for this year’s instalment.

Despite having good showings recently, Vigon is not taking any of the competition lightly.

“There are no easy games at this level,” Vigon said.

“Croatia have come down and they are going to be really tough. China have been spending a lot of time and money developing their team in preparation for the Winter Olympics. Serbia at home have a point to prove and Spain, who have just come up, are really fast and skilled.”

“At this level, if you have even a slightly bad game you will lose.”

The 2018 Australian team featured a slew of new additions that all had big tournaments last year, including Matt Armstrong, Per Daniel Goransson, Rob Haselhurst, Beau Taylor and Michael McMahon. Along with Vadim Virjassov, Jason Baclig is the newest recruit to the team this year and Vigon is looking for high level performances from him and across the board.

“Baxxy is a gamebreaker. He’s a big-time player and the kind of guy that will make an immediate impact,” Vigon said.

“He’s not only a great guy on the ice but also off of it. It’s hard to find guys that can change a team like he can.”

“Army (Armstrong) had such a great tournament in 2018 as did Goransson. Cam Todd and Joey Rezek also had a fantastic tournament last year and I’m confident they will be even better this year.”

Vigon won’t only assume responsibilities for the men’s senior team this year. The other major announcement in the AIHL coaching stakes during the preseason, was the appointment of Vigon as head coach of the Melbourne Ice for the 2019 season.

Vigon returns to the AIHL after last leading the Melbourne Mustangs to the Goodall Cup in season 2014.

“At the end of last season there was a conversation and I found out Brent Laver would be returning to the Ice. I would also have an opportunity to work with Glenn Mayer and Joey Steenberg and the opportunity to work with those guys was the major catalyst,” Vigon said.

“I really missed coaching in Australia. I was a bit burnt out after my last stint but I was really missing it and was keen to return.”

As for the Melbourne Ice’s outlook for season 2019, Vigon remains positive yet realistic.

“We’re trying to right the ship this year. I think they kind of lost their way last season and were down in every aspect,” Vigon said.

“The focus will be on making hockey enjoyable and fun again. There’s no doubt we have the talent and attitude to get back in the finals race.”

“The key will also be to help mould and guide the younger players to be regularly contributing hockey players, and to make sure they can step up and perform.”

Turning back to the world stage, Vigon believes the key to worlds’ success lies in the confidence of the team.

“I think our confidence has really grown the last couple of years,” said Vigon.

“The first game is usually the toughest for us so we have to come out of the gate flying. Once we do that, the sky is the limit.”

The team:

Anthony Kimlin
Beau Taylor
Brian Funes
Cameron Todd
Charlie Smart
Chris Wong
Jack Carpenter
Jamie Woodman
Jason Baclig        
Joey Rezek
Kai Miettinen
Kieren Webster
Lliam Webster
Mathew Lindsay
Matt Armstrong 
Michael McMahon
Per Daniel Goransson
Robert Haselhurst
Robert Malloy
Tommy Powell
Vadim Virjassov
Wehebe Darge

(Coach)  Brad Vigon
(Assistant Coach)  Matti Luoma
(Team Leader)  Steve Ransome
(General Manager)  Ian Webster
(Doctor)  Peter Moore
(Equipment Manager) Petr Cirkl
(Chiropractor) Dr Rod Weiland
(Physiotherapist) Ashleigh Trupiano

The times: (All times in AEST)

Australia vs Belgium (Wednesday 10 April 2019 @ 12:30am)

Australia vs Serbia (Thursday 11 April 2019 @ 4am)

Australia vs Spain (Saturday 13 April 2019 @ 12:30am)

Australia vs China (Saturday 13 April 2019 @ 9pm)

Australia vs Croatia (Monday 15 April 2019 @ 9pm)