Jordie Gavin, Maxime Suzzarini from France and Mark Rummukainen, from the Canberra Knights.

Jordie Gavin, Maxime Suzzarini from France and Mark Rummukainen, from the Canberra Knights. Photo: Melissa Adams




The Canberra bid for a team in the Australian Ice Hockey League has been successful, with the CBR Brave admitted for the 2014 season.

The AIHL made the announcement on Thursday morning after meeting with the Canberra bid team on Tuesday night.

The Brave has a provisional 12-month licence and will be required to comply with the AIHL by-laws and apply for a full licence to compete after this year.

The decision breathes life back into the Canberra ice hockey community after Knights owner John Raut decided to withdraw the team last week.

More than $27,000 has been received in public donations to go with a $29,000 national sporting teams grant from the ACT Government.

Brave captain Mark Rummukainen was elated to have been given the green light to have the team admitted into the AIHL.

“The catch word last week was overwhelmed, which just about sums it up, to see $27k sitting there to help us kickstart this new venture is simply amazing,’’ Rummukainen told AIHL.com

‘‘The guys have been training like crazy to be ready.

‘‘We’ll be putting forward a hard working team determined to repay the support which should culminate with some wins on the board.’’

The Brave will be allowed four imports on its squad, the same amount as the rest of the competition.

The AIHL had three requirements before allowing the Brave into the competition - that it would be financially viable, that it could field a competitive team and that it had an agreement to play at a rink.

The Brave secured a deal with the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre last Sunday for training and games.

AIHL deputy commissioner Alex Lata was confident the Brave had the structures in place to be a successful franchise.

“We were very impressed with the quality and professionalism of the CBR Brave proposal, especially in light of the short window in which they had to prepare,’’ she said.

‘‘The leadership group addressed our key concerns and requirements and we are satisfied that they have what it takes to pull together a successful 2014 season’’The AIHL will remain an eight-team competition, with the Brave taking the place of the Canberra Knights in the draw.

The season begins on April 12.