Victorian Ice Hockey Association

The Victorian Ice Hockey Association, currently trading as Ice Hockey Victoria is the governing body of ice hockey in Victoria, Australia. The Victorian Ice Hockey Association is a branch of Ice Hockey Australia.

Background

The Victorian Ice Hockey Association (VIHA) was formed as the Victorian state branch for Ice Hockey Australia. It is responsible for organising eight leagues four different age groups during the normal season as well as a summer hockey program that operates five leagues.^[1][2] It is also responsible for selecting the state teams to compete in the national tournaments.

VIHA operates its leagues out of two venues of the Olympic Ice Skating Centre based in Oakleigh South and the Icehouse based in Docklands.^[3] Teams are fielded in the leagues by six clubs – the Melbourne Jets Ice Hockey Club, the Blackhawks Ice Hockey Club, Saints Monarchs Ice Hockey Club, Sharks Ice Hockey Club, Braves Ice Hockey Club, and the Demons Ice Hockey Club, all of which are based in Oakleigh.^[4] The associations current president is Andy McDowell.^[5]

Leagues

• Premier A – the top senior league in Victoria
• Premier Reserve – the second tier senior league
• Premier C – the third tier senior league that employes a non-checking rule. Is open to both men and women^[6]
• Recreational C Division I – the fourth tier senior league. Open to both men and women and employs the non-checking rule^[6]
• Recreational C Division II – the fifth tier senior league. Also open to both men and women and employs the non-checking rule^[6]
• Junior Midget – junior league open to players 18 and under
• Junior Bantam – junior league open to players 15 and under
• Junior Pee Wee – junior league open to players 13 and under

Summer leagues

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IVA
• Division IVB

References

External links

• Ice Hockey Victoria