A Comprehensive Guide: The Noarlunga Stars + the NHSL

by Eric Balnar

This is the first off a three-part series giving you a comprehensive guide to each of the teams in the NHSL. The league opens in front of a sold out IceArenA crowd on November 12 with the Brewers facing the Stars.

Welcome to the first ever game week in National Super Hockey League history - Australia's first ever professional ice hockey competition. 

People said this wouldn't happen. People said this couldn't happen. Yet here we are just days away from Game #1.

If you're just joining us it's nice to meet you. Let's get you up to speed with what's happened.

We appointed three iconic South Australian ice hockey figures to be a General Manager of an NHSL club. They appointed a coach. They signed two marquee players each to build their team around. Then they filled out their roster at the NHSL draft.

The teams were selected from a pool of players who nominated themselves for a draft. 

The take up was huge. Over 150 players registered for the draft. Among them were local stars of the game, savvy veterans, emerging young talent, about a dozen interstate players, and people who came out of retirement just for this league. 

22 players were drafted to each team in early October. Since then, those very players have trained three times a week gelling together getting ready for the season.

It's a game changer for hockey here. Players have more time on ice. They are learning different structures. Their fitness is being taken to new levels. 

Now, the season is here. Let's see what we have. 

On Friday night the Port Brewers and Noarlunga Stars face-off in the historic game. Tickets sold out within 24 hours. All games will be broadcast (stay tuned for details!). The hype is real and justified - this is different. 

How things will play out is anyone's guess, but it's incredibly intriguing. 

We're so accustomed to seeing these South Australians play together in their traditional clubs. Now they're pushed out of their comfort zone by playing with new unseen interstate talent, and players that haven't been around the rink for a number of years.

How will the return of retired players like impact the game play?

How will structure improve with teams training three times per week?

How will players adjust to three 20-minute stop time periods?

We have a unique situation. All we can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Now that's out of the way let's jump to the previewing our first of three teams: The Noarlunga Stars.

Noarlunga Stars 

The Stars had the #3 and #4 overall picks in the Draft. They named Jan Koubek and Jake Riley as their marquee players prior to that. 

In the draft, they selected steady defenseman Jake Hazel and promising forward Zach Steele with their first two picks. 

Their management says they want to play a fast-paced, up-tempo and fun style. Expect a lot of goal scoring opportunities. 

General Manager: Matt Lothian, local ice hockey and inline champion
Head Coach: Sami Mantere, bench boss of the Adelaide Adrenaline (AIHL)

Marquee Players: South Australia's top scorer Jake Riley and arguably Adelaide's best playmaker Jan Koubek.

Who are the star players? It starts with Jake Riley. The 21-year-old has excelled at every level he's played at, including a brief stint playing junior puck in Sweden. He scores, he sets up, he skates well. It's hard to keep your eyes off of Jake when you're at a game. Riley led the Premier League in points this season - a year removed from a devastating shoulder injury. He's already one of the best players - if not the best - on the Adrenaline.

Jan Koubek is known as the "Apple King" in South Australian parts because of how well he sets up his teammates. He propelled Josef Rezek to a goal scoring title in 2020 and elevated line mate Ryan Foll to 24 goals in 2021 for the Tigers. Now he plays on a line with Riley - the most dynamic player in South Australia.

Foll has played five seasons of Adrenaline Ice Hockey and in the Premier League he consistently finds the back of the net in bunches. He's been top three in goal scoring in the Premier League the last three seasons. 

Jake Hazel has to be considered a star now too. He's only 19 but he's won back-to-back titles with the Jokers and has earned a reputation as one of the best stay-at-home defensemen in the State. However, he's never played at this level before. Can he cement his star status? 

What about their emerging stars? Who should I be excited about?

Zach Steele, Connor Smith and Daniel Chen. These are the kids to watch. 

Steele is a 19-year-old with size. He skates well and people naturally gravitate to him. He was the youngest captain in the Premier League this season. 

But he played defense in the Premier League. Zach's best potential comes as a forward. That's where he will play for the Stars. 

Sami Mantere has said he hopes this offenese and style of play "unleashes" the potential of Zach Steele. He'll likely be placed on a line with Ryan Foll - who moves to centre - to try to create some secondary scoring chances. 

Steele had 17 points in 20 games this year and that's all as a defenseman. Now he has a chance to dictate the pace of the game.

Daniel Chen had 24 points in 20 games as a rookie for the Jokers. He doesn't shy away from contact despite his small stature, he scored goals in both playoff games he played, and scores highlight reel goals. Chen turns 18 in December and will be eligible to hit the ice then. 

Connor Smith is a smooth skating defenseman with silky hands. He just turned 18 and has been part of some successful South Australian junior teams. This will be the highest level hockey he's tasted. He may be young, but the skill is real and that's what Mantere will look to expose.

Anyone from Interstate?

So far just one player has moved over from interstate to play here. He goes by the name of "Yoann Levesque" - a 26-year-old Canadian who moved to Western Australia.

We don't know much about him other than he played hockey in Canada, he plays in the WA state league and by all reports will slot in quite nicely. 

What about their defensive and goaltending situation? 

Every great team needs a great goaltender. The Stars are putting all their stock into 23-year-old Adrenaline goalie Glen Forbes-White. He's consistent, he can make game breaking saves, and he'll give the Stars a chance every game he plays. 

Problem is, Forbes-White is coming off a knee injury and is a game-time decision for Game #1. If that's the case things get interesting. 

Defensively, Jake Hazel and Connor Smith are their top two players. They combine to just 37-years old - the same age as teammate David Madsen. Madsen, known as "Dumptruck" around the rink, is a big imposing player who has played AIHL. He will provide protection to the younger folks on the team.

Tim Benson and Marko Komozec are two more young bucks on the Stars. They played - and won back-to-back titles - with the Jokers in the local competition.

Jack Sinko is a promising young player who had a successful junior career with the Adelaide Generals. 

What's the third line depth looking like?

Physical. That third line will be anchored by guys like Tyson Boyd and Quenton Tombleson. Two experienced AIHL players who can throw the body around. They each have dangerous shots too.

Jared McDonnell could slot into the third line and pop in a few goals, too, but could also be used as a guy with a plus shot and speed on the top line. 

I'm excited to see how young, raw talents like Kyle Collier and Ambrose Foster do. 

Here's a look at their roster again, with stats from the 2021 Premier League Season 
 

Potential Game 1 Line Combination

No Daniel Chen until December. When he gets back he probably slots in to the top line. That will be a game changer for this squad. 

J. Riley - J. Koubek - J. McDonnell
Y. Levesque - Z. Steele - R. Foll
Q. Tombleson - T. Boyd - A. Foster

J. Hazel - C. Smith
T. Benson - M. Komozec
J. Sinko - D. Madsen

G. Forbes-White
S. Poole