AIHL announces findings on Melbourne Ice vs Sydney Bears incident

The AIHL has concluded an investigation of several incidents during and after Regular Season Game 99, Melbourne Ice vs Sydney Bears, on 29 June 2024 at the O’Brien Icehouse.

As part of its investigation, the AIHL has determined that the rules were applied correctly during the game and that no additional penalties could have been assessed over and above what was applied during the game. As a result, this incident took a significant amount of time to investigate and reach a determination due to a number of off-ice incidents that occurred in relation to the game. The Department of Player Safety was not involved, given our finding that the correct rules were applied on the ice.

The AIHL has determined that participants from both the Melbourne Ice and Sydney Bears were in breach of the AIHL Code of Conduct and brought the League into disrepute:

• Melbourne Ice Assistant Coach
• Melbourne Ice #14
• Melbourne Ice #13
• Melbourne Ice Contractor
• Sydney Bears Assistant Coach
• Sydney Bears #11
• Sydney Bears #97

The Melbourne Ice proactively stood down their assistant coach due to his intimidation and abuse of a game official before the conclusion of the investigation, a decision that the AIHL welcomed and supported.

Melbourne Ice #14 has been suspended for two games for conduct and subsequent abuse and intimidation of an official. The suspension will be served in Game 115 against Brisbane Lightning in Week 15 on 13 July and Game 120 against Melbourne Mustangs in Week 16 on 19 July. This is in addition to any team-imposed sanction.

Melbourne Ice #13 has been suspended for one game for online conduct and two games for in-game conduct. The suspension will be served in game 115 against Brisbane Lightning in Week 15 on 13 July, game 120 against Melbourne Mustangs in Week 16 on 19 July and Game 125 against Newcastle Northstars in Week 16 on 21 July.

Melbourne Ice Contractor has been instructed to adhere to the AIHL Code of Conduct.

In addition to the Melbourne Ice player suspensions and sanctions, the team have been sanctioned with three (3) competition points for significant breaches of the AIHL regulations and Code of Conduct. This penalty was applied to Melbourne Ice on Friday 12^th July 2024.

Sydney Bears Assistant Coach, Sydney Bears #11, and Sydney Bears #97 have been suspended for two games for in-game conduct. The suspension is to be served in Game 109 against Central Coast Rhinos in Week 14 on 6 July and Game 119 against Adelaide Adrenaline in Week 15 on 14 July.