Malloy On the ice in Australia

Photo: Sydney Ice Dogs

The only North American action left was the NHL’s Stanley Cup, hockey’s Holy Grail that now rests in the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL Calder Cup which just crowned a new champion in the Grand Rapids Griffins last week, in other parts of the world hockey is just cranking up.

Cheshire, Connecticut native Rob Malloy, 26 is in his third season with the Sydney Ice Dogs and is their captain in the Australian Hockey League (AIHL) in the southern hemisphere.

Hockey in the Land Down Under? How did that happen? In an exclusive e-mail interview Malloy explained his hockey odyssey.

"A friend (Adam Blanchette of Berlin,CT) came out here the year before playing with Gold Coast and Melbourne. I saw the pictures he posted on Facebook asked who do I have to talk with to get out here ! Once, I got the invite it was a no brainer," said Malloy.

Blanchette is playing this season with the Southern (Queenstown) Stampede of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL),

Most players last just a year in part because of visa restrictions, but the Cheshire, CT native is entering year three in the AIHL. Malloy didn’t play a full season his first two years in a league that only has a 28 game schedule.

"I lost time in my first year I was still in Cheshire and then with a broken jaw from a slapshot last year and because of my wedding. It was broken my second game back from the wedding. Good thing it wasn’t before!! ," remarked Malloy.

Malloy is close to gaining permanent residence status that will help him in his hockey future in Australia.

"There are a number of limited (work) visa’s (class B1) available. Americans are limited to one year. I have a wife now and a full time job (medical devices sales) and I will be eligible for permanent residency in the next month. So I will lose my import status, but will be eligible to play for the (Australian) national team when I get my citizenship in about two years," said Malloy.

Malloy was born and raised in Cheshire, Connecticut captained his hockey and baseball teams at Cheshire High, then captained two years of junior hockey with Hartford Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League and he played college hockey at Lebanon Valley College an NCAA Division III program in the ECAC West conference where his assistant coach was former NHL and AHL star Mitch Lamoureaux.

Like many hockey players in Cheshire growing up he wanted to be like the greatest player to come out of Connecticut, number 2 the Hockey Hall Fame rearguard Cheshire’s Brian Leetch who won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.  

He also had a very close Cheshire High sports teammate Greg Schena who made a major impact.

Schena, died a little over three years ago tragically in a car accident in Southington and played hockey at Central Connecticut State University after playing on the Rams squad with Malloy.

"Greg was a great teammate (hockey and baseball), but he was an even better role model. Greg was one of the older guys we always looked up to. He was always approachable and treated others with respect. It was nice, especially in high school to have an older guy take you under his wing. I hope I pass on similar qualities that he taught me (to others)." remarked Malloy. 

The level of play in Australia is rated as Division I by the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) is much better than one would expect especially after winning the Division II title in 2009 and being elevated to Division I status.

"The imports (Canadians-23, Americans-12 and other countries 23) that come out here are legit and the local talent is pretty awesome. We have seven guys on our team who play for the national team," said Malloy.

The Ice Dogs are one of two teams (Sydney Bears the other) in the Australian nation’s largest city and it doesn’t hinder things much for the local hockey fans.

"It doesn’t hurt the hockey, if anything it provides a rivalry. Its fun to have a bit of bragging rights on the line, but there is definitely no love lost."

Melbourne also has two teams (the Ice and Mustangs) and was named the host city for AIHL championship series on September 7th and 8th the AIHL teams are mostly centered along the East Coast of Australia and just one team on the West Coast, the wine producing town of Perth.

"My parents were just out here and I flew my Dad out to Perth which is kinda like flying New York to LA. It’s pretty cool flying around the country like Australia it’s such a different place. Melbourne is a beautiful place, with a world class rink. They have two teams that sell out every game, it’s always fun going down there. Gold Coast had a team that played out of surfer's paradise up until this year, that was also a trip we looked forward to every year," said Malloy.

The other country that plays hockey this time of year is New Zealand (NIZHL) just West of Australia and there is talk of playing an interlocking schedule to increase the number of games for both leagues.

The Ice Dogs presently sit in second place in the eight team circuit tied in  points (34) and one less win (10 to 9) with the Newcastle North Stars after this weekend’s action. What has been the key to the Ice Dog’s success ?

"We have found success because of the amount of depth on the team. Our goalie Anthony Kimlin, the national team goalie has helped us greatly. I had a slow start in the first half of the season, but hope to have a nice finish at the end."

The limited schedule makes for a different training regimen.

"We play mostly on weekends because most guys are working full time and 28 games is still a long season. We practice once or twice a week which is different from North America and most of the rinks are Olympic size, which are wider (by 15 feet) than the rinks in North America. Most guys who come here (imports) for the experience not to get better. It’s an opportunity to stay on the ice and a chance to see the other side of the world," said Malloy.  

Malloy is not looking to relocate hockey wise at all to play either in Europe or in North America in the lower minor league once the AIHL season ends.

"I’m very content to play in AIHL. I have very good job and I don’t want to leave."

He and his wife Asmara live an hour north of Sydney right on the beach and the beaches he sees on a daily basis are not like Hammonhasset, Rocky Neck or Misquamicut quality that he grew up with--- much, much better.

"The beaches here are absolutely amazing, we in live in a surf town like Malibu. The rip is a bit stronger, the beaches can be way more dangerous. The color of the water is a beautiful blue and most beaches are sand bottom. it’s a surfer's dream. I have seen a few snakes, a million spiders and kangaroos. I’ve never seen a shark but there have been a few attacks around the area I live in."

 In addition to the 10 hour time difference he has had to get use to the Aussie language while they speak English they have their own slang and other culture differences were a challenge.

"A weed whacker is considered a "whippa-snippa", cotton candy is "fairy floss", a beer cooler is an "eskie", the list could go on for days ! The time difference didn’t take too long to adjust to...driving on the other side of the road took the longest. The seasonal change is a bit of a culture shock especially around Christmas time when summer is just starting. it feels a bit odd to go to the beach on Christmas morning." said Malloy.

The sport of hockey has given this Cheshire, Connecticut native a chance to not only play the sport, but truly see the world.

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