Central Coast Rhinos

The Central Coast Rhinos are a semi-professional ice hockey team based in Erina, New South Wales, Australia. The Rhinos were a member of the Australian Ice Hockey League for four seasons from 2005–2008, and the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup for four seasons from 2009–2012. The team have most recently been playing exhibition games against the Sydney Bears. The team plays its home games at Erina Ice World, located within Erina Fair Shopping Centre in Erina, New South Wales.

Central Coast Rhinos
CityErina, New South Wales
LeagueAIHL (2005-2008)
International Cup (2009-2012)
Founded2005 (2005)
Home arenaErina Ice Arena
ColoursRed, black and white
Franchise history
2005-2006Blue Haven Rhinos
2007-presentCentral Coast Rhinos

History

The team was formerly known as the Blue Haven Rhinos after the Blue Haven Pools company, whose sponsorship ended prior to the 2007 season. The Rhinos (along with the Brisbane Blue Tongues) were part of a two-team expansion to the AIHL in 2005 that saw the league grow to eight teams. While the Rhinos gained a healthy fan following in their inaugural season, on the ice the team was not successful and finished in last place, winning just 6 out of 26 regular season games.

The Rhinos left the AIHL before the start of the 2009 season after refusing to accept the AIHL's new licensing model and went on to join the newly formed Australian International Ice Hockey Cup.[1] The Rhinos finished first in the inaugural tournament however lost to the Canadian Maples in the final. They again finished runners up in the two following years and in 2012 failed to qualify for the final after losing all four of their games.[2][3][4][5] In 2013 the team was dropped from the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup in favour of a Canada versus United States style tournament.[6] In November 2013 the team returned to play an exhibition game against the Sydney Bears which they went on to win 8–4. In March 2014 the Rhinos played a second exhibition game against the Bears at the Erina Ice Arena, losing the game 2–8.[7]

Season by season results
Old logo used when the Rhinos were sponsored by Blue Haven Pools company

Australian Ice Hockey League
Season GP W T1 SOW SOL L GF GA PTS Finish Playoff
20052641221767148198Did not qualify
2006286–102293158187Did not qualify
2007282–11247114298Did not qualify
2008286–112073129218Did not qualify
1 As of the 2006 AIHL season, all games will have a winner.

Australian International Ice Hockey Cup
Season GP W OTW OTL L GF GA PTS Finish Playoff
20091370065446211stLost to Canadian Maples in the final[2]
20101150???Lost to Canadian Maples in the final[3][8]
2011850125036162ndLost to the USA Eagles in the final[4]
201240004123204thDid not qualify[5]

Leaders

Team captains
  • Mark Walsh – 2008

Head coaches
  • Adam McGuinness – 2007 to May 2008
  • Art Shaw – 2008

References
  1. "10 – The magic number". The Other Hewitt. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  2. "News". Australian International Ice Hockey Cup. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  3. "Rhinos Brilliant". Central Coast Rhinos. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  4. "2011 Australian International Ice Hockey Cup". Australian International Ice Hockey Cup. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  5. "2012 Australian International Ice Hockey Cup". Australian International Ice Hockey Cup. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  6. "Australian International Ice Hockey Cup". Australian International Ice Hockey Cup. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  7. "Bears Defeat Rhinos in Game 2". Ice Hockey News Australia. 8 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  8. "Game Schedule". Central Coast Rhinos. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.


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