The Sydney Ice Dogs are proud to announce the 10th Head coach in the club’s history Jason Kvisle.
Kvisle brings over 16 years of coaching experience, leading 29 different teams over this timespan coaching Club, State and National levels and winning IHA Coach of the Year in 2013.
“We have approached Jason at various times over the past decade about coaching the Ice Dogs but the timing never seemed to quite align” explains founder and former Captain Anthony Wilson.
Today, the Dogs officially got their man.
“It seems a long time ago that my association with the Sydney Ice Dogs began. It started when I was a 2nd year midget playing for the Sydney Bears at Blacktown Ice Arena. The Wilsons were the life blood of that rink and it didn’t matter what the logo was on the front of the jersey - if you had a stick and skates you were welcome in their rink. The Wilsons were the founders of the team/club and due to how welcoming & passionate they were; a relationship between the Kvisle’s (Kwizla’s) and Wilsons’ was born. That relationship grew over the years and was strengthened when Reach Crane Trucks Pty Ltd became the Ice Dogs major sponsor for many years” reflects Kvisle.
Jason Kvisle not only brings a wealth of experience but also boasts a winning pedigree by achieving:
- 4 x Australian Junior Ice Hockey League titles over 9 seasons with his Sydney Sabres a contender in playoffs practically every season.
- 4 x Tange (State Under 18) trophies over 8 years claiming a medal in every Tange tournament he has coached (4 gold, 3 silver & 1 bronze).
Most recently Kvisle has deservedly been a part of the past two National Junior Teams as Assistant Coach and is still the Assistant Coach preparing for the upcoming National Junior Team tournament in a couple of months’ time.
Kvisle lives by the motto “Success is never owned; it is rented and the rent is due everyday”.
“I try and take this on board in every facet of life from playing, to business and to family life. Coaching is no different. I am looking forward to the challenge, just hope that my wife and three kids will be as accommodating” laughs Kvisle who actually has a tattoo of the quote.
Before following his passion for coaching Jason of course grew up playing the game. Starting at club level before representing NSW at both Tange (U/18) and Brown (U/23 at the time) nabbing gold at both levels. He also ventured over to Canada to train and played 5 seasons of AIHL for the Sydney Bears and Central Coast Rhinos before switching his focus to coaching and building up the East Coast Super League to a strong senior state league feeding into the AIHL.
Just as he thought his playing days were coming to a close, the Ice Dogs requested the services of his 6’5” frame to patrol the blue line once more capping off his AIHL career at 6 seasons and 93 games.
“Last season I had the opportunity to wear the jersey for the first time and whilst the results weren’t what we all had hoped, I can confirm the culture at the club and inside the dressing room was extremely positive. There is a fine line coming into a team and changing too much. I don’t know what the 2023 season will bring for the Ice Dogs, but I do know it will bring structure, discipline and accountability” adds the new head coach.
“We are excited to have Jason come on board and lead our club to the next level. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of not only the game but our local talent. I can’t wait to see where he guides our club on and off the ice” adds former General Manager and Captain Scott Stephenson.
The club would like to thank last season’s Head Coach Ondrej Cervenka who has headed home to the Czech Republic. We are very grateful for his dedication, focus and time and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
Stay Tuned. More exciting news for the 2023 season to come.