In this week’s Q&A, we catch up with one of the Brave’s speediest skaters, Declan Bronte..

Congratulations on your play this year! How do see the team’s performances so far?
I’ve been all-round impressed with the team's performance since arriving. There’s a lot of maturity on our side and that expertise really shows itself on and off the ice, especially in the tougher games we’ve had to face so far this season. They lead by example to show us younger guys what aspects we excel in. For example the structure and cool-headedness on our Power-Plays. With regards to improving we’ve recognised that our first periods haven’t been our strongest and the leaders of the team have taken measures to eliminate slow starts.

You spent some time overseas playing in North America - most recently with the Connecticut Chiefs in the Eastern Hockey League. What is the experience of playing overseas like - particularly as an underaged player?
I believe playing hockey overseas is an essential experience as an athlete to reach new levels in your game. Being on the ice 5-7 times a week during the course of a 50 game season builds character as a player and as a person. Even though I’m an underaged player I’m treated as a professional and expected to act as such.

How has the experience of playing overseas helped you in the AIHL?
There’s a level of competitiveness in the AIHL that outclasses anything else in Australian ice hockey. Playing overseas you are forced to perform at every practice and every game just to maintain a spot in the lineup. This has forced me to develop a holistic approach to being a hockey player and ready for the challenge of playing in the AIHL.

What was it that attracted you to coming to play for the Brave this year?
The Brave are an organisation that act very professionally and the concept of respect being a two-way street is ingrained in the culture. Everyone who is a part of it is striving for and expects a championship team. That attitude is something I relate to and wanted to be a part of.

You are one of the faster skaters on the team. Is that a skill you have had to develop?
Ice hockey is a difficult multi-skilled sport of which all aspects need consistent practice just to maintain the skills to achieve one’s potential. I’ve always been a fast skater ever since learning its fundamentals from my now teammate Joey Hughes when I was less than 10 years old. Since then I’ve constantly pushed myself to improve on the skill week-to-week, month-to-month, year-to-year.

Do you have any message you’d like to give to the Brave Fans?
The level of excitement and electricity I feel in the air while playing in the packed-out Brave Cave is a pulse-raising experience that I look forward at being apart of for years to come!

This weekend we have a home double-header at the Phillip Ice Skating Centre against the Melbourne Mustangs - Puck Drop Saturday is 5:00pm, and Sunday is 4:30pm.
Tickets for both games are still available through the Brave Website -  https://shop.cbrbrave.com.au/tickets/

Go Brave!