After 18 years in the AIHL and over 370 AIHL games Sydney Ice Dogs Veteran David Dunwoodie has announced that his final game will be Sunday August 25th against the Melbourne Mustangs at Macquarie Ice Rink.
David Dunwoodie entered the league towards the end of the inaugural year of the Ice Dogs in 2002 scoring 2 goals against the Bears in his second game in the league. Dunwoodie split his AIHL career playing Defence and Forward switching positions to cater to the team’s needs as a handy utility player. The 5’9 Tenacious forward has put up over 264 points with 90 goals and 174 assists.
In 2014, Dunwoodie was named AIHL Local Player of year when he posted a career high 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 28 games connecting with record breaking Ice Dogs Import Simon Barg.
“I would best describe Dave’s games as Fearless, instinctive and an all-rounder” accounts Former Captain and teammate Scott Stephenson. “He wasn’t afraid to get involved or stick up for a teammate and didn’t care who the opponent was. He had a knack for the net and could always score on a goalie in close, but also could shut down a 2 on 1 with a sliding stop on defence. I think his initial time as a youngster in net paid dividends instinctively as a player later on” reflects Stephenson.
Fearless and getting involved can also equate to Penalty Minutes where he has a staggering 1,646 penalty minutes leading the AIHL in All-Time PIMs. There was a time feisty player wasn’t in the penalty box and that was when he started playing ice hockey as early as the age of five as a goalie for the Canterbury Eagles. Dunwoodie represented the NSW state peewee team in 1995 and played goalie up until second year Bantam when he switched to player.
Whilst born in New Zealand and being a proud Kiwi, number 14 is also proudly Australian opting to play for Australia over New Zealand since playing for the Youth Team. He played for the Australian Men’s Team on three occasions over his career. Twice on Defence and once at forward.
“I always thought he was a better forward. I think the timing was right when he switched to forward as we started getting deeper on D and needed scoring up front” add Stephenson. The switch in 2013 provided a lethal mid-season combination with Import Simon Barg and fellow veteran Todd Stephenson who netted four goals in the AIHL Goodall Cup Final.
“That was my fondest memory of my career winning the Goodall Cup in 2013” reflects Dunwoodie in a season where he began to catch fire with 29 points in 27 games. Dunwoodie was also won a Goodall Cup ten years earlier in 2004 with the Sydney Ice Dogs.
Dunwoodie is a proud Ice Dog with 307 games and 15 season played for the club out of his staggering 370 games and 18 year career. As proud as he is about his illustrious career he is just as excited about the club’s future.
“I felt it was time to hang up the skates and I am really excited about the talent of our younger guys coming through and look forward to seeing them grow further into their roles for the team” finishes Dunwoodie.
Dave will play his final game Sunday against the Melbourne Mustangs 4:45pm at Macquarie Ice Rink. Be there to cheer on Number #14 for one last time as he calls it a career.
