In a year where the CBR Brave have taken all before them - finishing on top of the Australian Ice Hockey League standings and winning the Goodall Cup, and being named  “Team Of The Year” at the recent ACT Sports Awards - the team have received yet another accolade:  being ranked number 20 in the list of Australasia’s (Australia and New Zealand) Best Sporting Team 2022.

This list, compiled by Platinum Asset Management together with GAIN LINE Analytics, seeks to bring an analytical approach to ranking Sporting teams - measuring and ranking success while emphasising the way the team is built. It takes into account teams from 21 competitions using over 9,500 individual matches in a 5-year period.

Top ranking in the List went to Super Rugby’s Crusaders and it includes representatives from National men’s and women’s Rugby League, Union, Australian Rules and Basketball Leagues (amongst others).

The CBR Brave are the only team from the Australian Capital Territory and from the Australian Ice Hockey League to be included in the Top 25. This is not the first time the Brave have been included in this prestigious List - they were included at number 9 in the 2019 and 2020 surveys before the Pandemic interrupted top-level Ice Hockey in Australia.

This is yet another highlight in what has been a big year for the Brave.

Chief Operating Officer Steve Moeller is clear about the reason for the Brave’s success.  “Over the years the CBR Brave have put a lot of effort into recruiting, retaining high quality players and developing local Junior talent.  We have a great community behind the team and fantastic sponsors who come back year after year.”

“Reaching the top 20 teams in Australia is quite an achievement for the first season back after the COVID layoff - and along with the other accolades of the 2022 season, demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the team and the Brave community to maintain a high level of success,” said Mr Moeller. “We set the bar high for ourselves every season and will continue to be leaders on and off the ice.”

Season 2023 will see changes in the Australian Ice Hockey League. Two new teams will make their debut - the Brisbane Lightning and the Central Coast Rhinos - and the Perth Thunder and Adelaide Adrenaline will make their return after enforced layoffs due to the Pandemic. This will bring the number of teams in the League to 10. 

Due to the increase in team numbers, the League will move to a two Conference model - and the Brave will join teams from Brisbane, Newcastle (last year’s runners-up), Central Coast and Adelaide in what will be a very strong and competitive Conference.

For the Brave, planning has begun for Season 2023 - and Mr Moeller is clear about what is required to continue to perform at the highest level. “Hard work and persistence will be the keys to success in what will be a strongly-contested AIHL competition - with nine other teams wanting to take the Goodall Cup away from Canberra.” 

And as previous years have shown, this is a challenge the CBR Brave are ready and willing to accept