A brief History of the
The Demons Ice Hockey Club Inc. has a long and rich history in Victorian Ice Hockey.
Evolving from the post war training sessions at St. Moritz [in 1945] and forming as `Eastern Suburbs` in 1946, re-naming as the Eastern Demons Ice Hockey Club in 1947, then morphing to the Demons Ice Hockey Club in 1948, incorporating in 1986 remaining as the longest member club in the history of Ice Hockey Victoria {IHV} Previously named VAIHA & VIHA.
In the early years the Demons were not the most successful club, taking until 1970 to win our first Senior- A grade Premiership. Our B-Grade triumphs in 1961 & 1963 our only successes.
During the early years we had a number of good players, our first named Club Legend in Russell Jones, who along with Noel McLoughlin, represented Australia at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley USA and 1963 World Championships in Japan. Some other notable players from those early times are people like Brian & Graham Jose, James & Kevin Brett, Alan Coleman, Kevin Gronow, Paddy King, Johnny Neale and a young Alan Currie.
Noel McLoughlin, our star Goal Keeper, became the first player to win the A-Grade Presidents Medal twice, in the years 1959 & 1961. Russell Jones, also a President`s Medal winner in 1955, coached the Demons over a period of 14 years, 1948-1950, 1954-1957 & 1959-1965.
Through the late 1950`s to early 1970`s the Demons tasted some finals action, overcoming the Blackhawks or the Monarchs at finals time always seemed to be our Achilles heel.
Around this period we had some tremendously loyal and long serving players and administrators,
people such as Laurie Luxmore, Kerry Timmins, Richard Scarffe, Richard Sprague, Graeme Bowes,
Gary Hood, Peter & Edward Devitt, Peter Pinsent, Mario Doricic, Neil Hamer, Ron Drury, Billy Buck, Rod Fernald and Barry Muir.
In 1967 the committee enticed one James Christie from the Blackhawks to be our new senior coach,
This changed the face of the club. With a stronger training regimen and the introduction of a handful
of younger players the Demons A-Grade started to become a team to be reckoned with.
At this time James Christie not only coached, he also was by far the best player of his time, having been Four times Highest Point Scorer & Four times MVP for the Demons. He also was the first player to win the A-Grade Presidents Medal three times, in 1968, 1969 & 1970, capping a great stint at the Demons with the 1970 Premiership, our first.
Sadly with the loss of James Christie to the Pirates in 1972 and the retirement of some wonderfully long serving and talented players, we had a massive decline in game day performances over the next four or so years.
Not until 1976 with the appointments of Alan Price as President, Otto Wolf as Secretary and the incomparable Ian Holmes as Coach did we taste major success again. The 1977 season saw the inclusion of some remarkable import players like Fred Denischuk, Ken Guyzk, Mike Pierce, Ian Cameron, Daniel McIvor and probably the best credentialed player to ever play with the Demons in Mike Boland. We unfortunately did not make the most of this talent by only winning the 1977 A-Grade Premiership during the few years these players served the club!!
The Demons did however have two great clubmen of this time in Kerry Timmins, 1964-1983, to this time the longest serving player in the Demons history and Paul `Jaffa` Watson a strong defensive player 1969-73, 1977-78 and as a well respected Junior coach through the 1980`s, 90`s and 00`s, he then went on to coach Melbourne Ice for 9 years culminating in 3 Goodall Cup wins in 2010, 2011 & 2012. Kerry and Paul both played in our first two A-Grade Premierships of 1970 & 1977.
The seasons of 1977 to 1986, the A & B teams had some ups and downs, making the finals one year then missing the next, without achieving the ultimate prize. Socially the club was at its strongest, enjoying a great line of social secretaries, who managed to provide the funds for the Demons to always move forward, with some of the after game functions, technical evenings and presentation nights among events to be remembered. Those devoted individuals included people such as Kerry Timmins, William `Bill` Jones, Neil `Binji` Craven, Paul Rice and Brian Muir, with Otto Wolf the ever present Secretary.
The late eighties -early nineties started to provide the club with some quite talented players developed from our Junior ranks, as well as some handy imports. Juniors of the ilk of Jason Vandersluys, Daniel Gunn, Joshua Rowe, Ross Howell, Jon Moses and Anthony Peterson [the second youngest A-Grade Captain after Russell Jones] together with Imports like Dave Hearty, Kevin Dolighan, Brad Kelly, Darrell Heikkila and Garry Miller to name a few. From 1986 to 1992 the B-Grade played in every Grand final winning in 1987 & 1988, the A-Grade finished Runners-Up in 1989.
During the period of 1977 to 1993 there were a number of player who played for many years while also administering the Clubs affairs, some of those being William Stewart, Paul Rice, Neil Craven, Michael Smits Snr, Paul Raphael, Kevin Hunter, David Kirby, Doug Dow and Jon Moses to name a few.
After a couple of fairly flat years in the early nineties, the Demons saw fit to re-appoint Rod Johns as Senior coach in 1993, this was to last for 14 years with Rod also later becoming, not only the Demons President but also assuming the same role with Ice Hockey Victoria and towards the end of this tenure coaching Melbourne Ice in its formative years.
This was certainly a much more fruitful time for Rod and the Demons, his first stint in 1986 ended in tears. The Demons became a force winning Six A-Grade Premierships in seven years. Our B-Grade also won Ten Premierships in Sixteen years, 1998-2001, 2004-05, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. The run of five A-Grade Premierships, 1997 to 2001, are equalled only the Monarch/Saints 1986-1994.
Most of this sustained success was due to the tireless work of some wonderful administrators, from the late eighties onwards, such as Ken Gunn [6 years as President], Paul Raphael [4 years as President & 14 years as Secretary], Rod Johns [9 years as President] and some dedicated support staff, many of whom were parents of our junior players during this time.
Over the last decade and a half, the most successful period in the Demons history, some of our notable and long serving players have been Michael Smits Snr, Evan White, Bruce McGurty, Rick Skrzelinski, Carl Fevola , Luke Burgess, Matthew Fairbanks, Daniel Gunn, Martin Bauer, Travers Smith, Don Lord, Gordie Stewart, Rod Johns, Paul Rice and the entire Howell family.
Some of the junior players to progress to Senior level and distinguished careers during this period of our history are Dylan Moore, Cam McKay, Michael Smits Jnr, Stuart Higgins, Grove Bennett Jnr, Joshua Rowe and two past A-Grade Captains in Lachlan Craven and Jay Pavey with some handy support from various imports, like Garry Miller, Greg Sturrock, Mike Lund, Jamie Edwards, Thomas Yawney, Shaun Van Beseleare to mention just a small group.
The late 2000`s are following a pattern similar to that of the early seventies, coming of a great era, we are in a re-building faze at this time in our history, after the retirements of some of this very successful group of Coaches & Players from the 1997-2007 Snr A & B Premiership teams. For the period 2007-2009 the club coach in Simon Holmes appears to be a chip of the old block, following in his father Ian`s foot- steps, in re establishing the Demons as a force within Victorian Ice Hockey.
A mention must also be made of the untimely passing of some of our members.
The earliest tragedy to strike us was the death of Alan Currie in a car accident with his mother in late 1955. The unfortunate passing of a great clubman in Alan Coleman at a preseason training at the Oakleigh Ice Rink in early 1975 from a sudden heart attack .The death of James Brett while still playing hockey in his 60`s, Ian Holmes still breathing fire to the end, Ken Gunn`s passing in 2005, Otto Wolf`s sudden departure while still active with Ice Hockey Victoria, Carl Fevola after a long battle with illness, the tragic demise just in recent weeks of a promising talent in Brenton Phillip, sadly in another car accident. RIP. {Written 2009} {Updated 2017}
The last year or so has not been a good one, with the unfortunate passing of Russell Jones in September of 2012, after a long battle with illness, the sudden death of Mick Howell in March 2013. The loss of Richard Moore from a sudden heat attack, in July 2013 and recently William Buck from cancer in 2014.
2009 onwards has been an amazing internal battle, with the unhappy forced merger with the Jets to play as the Rangers MKII {2009-2011} due to lack of player numbers. We did however achieve success in being a strong part of winning the Premiership in 2009 and 2011, with some of our more talented players playing a significant role in this success.
2011 saw some incredible work from the committee, attacking all issues from every point on the compass, structure, playing numbers, financials, committee, coaches etc.
Lead by Doug Dow, forced by the drive of Rick Skrzelinski, tempered and articulated by Evan White & Gordon Stewart then passionately written and edited by Paul Rice & Bruce McGurty we made many submissions to IHV who finally saw the light to give us back our own Premier-A side for 2012.
Our starting point was to secure a well-credentialed Premier-A coach, one Mark “Chuck” Connolly, who has instilled in the playing group a work ethic second to none. Although we anticipated some on-ice pain, we have re-established a strong base of a new batch of some young enthusiastic and experienced players, led by our Andrew Erzen along with Todd Cutter, Tom Voller, Russel & Kevin Dow, Joshua Skrzelinski, mature players in Lachie Craven, Stuart Higgins and Dane Stokes, the return of Ross Howell and our newer imports in Graham Charbonneau {2012}, Trevor Florey and Nick Schickler {2013}, plus our latest Club Legend Jon Moses, we anticipate a return to power in the near future.
2014 has seen a new era emerge with the recruitment of imports Michael David & James Cross {2014}, Jeff Davie {2015} the return of Mark Howell {2014}, young guns in Byron Tschuma, Matt Harper and another Jones in Mitch the grandson of Club Legend Russell, plus added to this the appointment of Douglas Stevenson as Head Coach. Douglas has an extensive playing career in IHV as well as overseas. A four-time IHV Presidents Medal winner and numerous times playing for both Victoria and Australia. Immediate success was had in 2014 with our 11th Kleiner Trophy, followed by a further Grand Final appearance in 2016.
Early 2018 saw another change with Douglas stepping away as coach and Rick Skrzelinski running the bench for the remainder of the season.
Footnote: 2012 saw the retirement of Paul Rice after 36 years {31 as a player} with the Demons, but he will remain with the club as Secretary through the 2013 season. {Written Oct. 2012}
This retirement was short lived as a comeback ensued following his heart surgery in Dec 2012 to maintain fitness and health. He played the year in Premier C2. {Written Sept. 2013}
The Premier Reserve team continues to defy age and at times ability to get the job done!! With an infusion of some young talent, 2012 saw another Premiership after an indifferent home and away season, winning not only the first J.P. Oliphant trophy for Rod Johns as coach after numerous attempts, they also took home their 11th title from 24 attempts in the last 27 seasons. Just outstanding!!!
This same scenario was then repeated in 2013, for a 12th title from 25 attempts in 28 years!!!
2014-2018 saw the B-Grade generally underperform, Runners-Up in 2015, they then missed the Grand Final three years running 2016-2018, this occurred for the first time since way back in
1983-1985.
Premier-C Hockey which is establishing a strong foothold, has had mixed successes.
Premier-C1 / C-Grade, which started in 1994, won Tile number 4 in 2011 with some old heads at
the helm.
After several indifferent years has re-emerged to win their 5th & 6th titles in 2018 & 2019, under Joseph Nyamuka as Coach, with both a younger and more experienced group of talented players at his disposal, creating this resent success.
The Premier C2 divisional teams have won eight titles firstly in 2011 as Rec Devils Div.II and then as Demons in Premier-C2, now D-Grade Division, in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 winning 8 of a possible 10 titles in this division. Adding to our ever-growing Premiership history.
2018 saw the club elect its first ever female President in Shae Ganac, she has been joined by our newer generation of administrators, with the likes of David Brand now in his 7th year as Club Secretary, Michael Bailey as SnrVP and David Dang, all products from the RecC hockey expansion of 2010-2011.
At the end of 2018 saw the retirement from Winter hockey of several significant figures within the Demons organisation. With the formation of the `Demons Old-Farts` Summer Conference Division team, instigated by Doug Dow, he was then joined in retirement by Paul Rice & Rick Skrzelinski. Coupled with some other experienced heads in Geoff Bell, Don Lord, Bruce McGurty, Travers Smith & Evan White the team is being coached by Gordon Stewart {2018-2019 season}
The pedigree and credentials of this team consists of the following, 3 `Club Legends` {Doug, Paul & Rick}, 6 `Life Members`, 3 former Presidents, 4 former SnrVP`s, 2 former plus the current Secretary, 1 former plus the current Treasurer, 1 former IHV President, 1 former IHV SnrVP, 1 former IHV JnrVP, the current IHV Secretary and the current Oihan Secretary. The current IHV Game Record holder, plus the 4th most IHV Winter Games played. {Written Oct. 2018}
The total IHV Winter Games played by the group in the period 1977-2018 is 3342 as at the end of 2018. Two have a combined 1452 with the remaining 14 players playing a total of 1890 between them. The average age of the team is 54+ years old!!
A Statistical History:
As part of the Demons 60th Anniversary year celebrations, a dinner was held at the South Oakleigh Club on Friday the 26th October 2007. Along with the many past and present players, administrators and friends, the Club decided to name a Diamond Jubilee Team, to honour those players who have contributed to the success & longevity of the Demons Ice Hockey Club Inc. as a player & administrator. We asked those present to cast their votes from a selected group of nominees who meet a specific selection criteria. On completion of the votes being tallied, the following is a reflection of some great players who have graced our different teams during our early years through to the present day.
The Diamond Jubilee Team as selected is
First Line:
Goal Keeper: Noel McLoughlin
Defencemen: Paul `Jaffa` Watson Jon Moses
Forwards: Russell Jones Michael Smits Snr. Paul Rice
Second Line:
Reserve Goal Keeper: William `Billy` Buck
Defencemen: Kerry Timmins Rick Skrzelinski
Forwards: Carl Fevola Alan Coleman James Brett
Coach: Rod Johns
Captain: Russell Jones Assistant Captain: Jon Moses
Club Legends: Russell Jones & Michael Smits Snr.
To complement these celebrations we also elected our first Honorary Life Members in a decade,
those being Carl Fevola, Rod Johns and Paul Watson in 2007. We have since added to this list with the election of Bruce McGurty and Rick Skrzelinski 2008, William Buck in 2009, Doug Dow 2011, Evan White 2013, Mathew Fairbanks and Gordon Stewart 2015, adding James Whyte in 2018 as Honorary Life Members of the Demons.
We also elevated several more players to `Club Legend Status` of the Demons Ice Hockey Club Inc., with Paul Rice & Paul Raphael in 2009, Noel McLoughlin 2010, Kerry Timmins 2011, Jon Moses 2012, Rick Skrzelinski during our 70th Season Celebrations of 2015, Rod Johns in 2017 and Doug Dow in 2018 to join Russell & Smitsy. {Updated Dec 2018}
The full list of Legends and Honorary Life Members is;
Club Legends: 2007 - Russell Jones & Michael Smits
2008 - Paul Rice & Paul Raphael
2009 - Noel McLoughlin
2010 – Kerry Timmins
2012 – Jon Moses
2015 – Rick Skrzelinski
2017 – Rod Johns
2018 – Doug Dow
Life Members: 1955 - Eric Grandin,
1958 - Brian Jose,
1964 - Russell Jones & Noel McLoughlin,
1966 - William Normoyle,
1967 - Kevin Gronow,
1972 - James Brett,
1975 - Alan Coleman & Laurie Luxmore,
1978 - Ken Dwight & Kerry Timmins,
1983 - William Jones,
1987 - Otto Wolf
1988 - Neil Craven, Alan Barnard
1992 - Paul Rice & William Stewart,
1997 - Ken Gunn, Jon Moses, Paul Raphael & Michael Smits Snr.
1998 - Ian Thomas
2007 - Carl Fevola, Rod Johns & Paul Watson,
2008 - Bruce McGurty & Rick Skrzelinski
2009 - William Buck
2011 – Doug Dow
2013 – Evan White
2015 – Mathew Fairbanks, Gordon Stewart
2018 – James Whyte
Some statistics for those inclined:
Demons Premier A-Grade Premierships; 1970, 1977, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009*,
2011*, 2014
Demons B-Grade Premierships; 1961, 1963, 1987, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004,
2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013
Demons C-Grade Division 1 Premierships; 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2018, 2019
Demons Recreational Grade; Div.II Devils 2011
Demons Premier C-Grade Division 2 {now D-Grade}; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
All stats are with edited information as at the end of winter season 2018.
Most Senior Games Played; Most Hat Tricks Scored;
Paul Rice 695 Gordon Stewart 48 - hat tricks
Paul Raphael 576 Paul Rice 28
Rick Skrzelinski 502 Nigel Chandler 18
Michael Smits Snr. 474 Michael Smits Snr. 17
William Stewart 445 Evan White 15
Carl Fevola 426 Brent Running 15
Kerry Timmins 310 Don Lord 14
Most Senior Games as a Goal Keeper; Most Senior Games by a Family;
Matthew Fairbanks 251 Howell x 6 players 1537
Noel McLoughlin 156 Gunn x 4 989
William Buck 152 Dow x 3 875
Mark Howell 121 Smits x 2 850
Doug Dow 116 Skrzelinski x 3 752
Barry Muir 96 Brett x 3 530
Longest Coaching stints; Snr-A, Rod Johns – 15 years, Russell Jones 14 years,
Snr-B, Rod Johns – 8 years.
Longest serving Captains; Jon Moses - 11 years, Evan White - 9 years, William Stewart - 7 years
Most A-Grade MVP`s; Jon Moses – 6, James Christie – 4, James Brett – 4
Most B-Grade MVP`s: Evan White – 5, Rick Skrzelinski – 4, Kevin Hunter - 4
Most C-Grade MVP`s: Paul Rice – 4, Gordon Stewart & Don Lord – 2.
Long serving Officials; Most Goals in a Game;
Paul Raphael – Secretary for 14 yrs. 9 - Nigel Chandler, 29/06/1998
Doug Dow – Treasurer for 13 yrs. 8 - Gordon Stewart, 28/06/2004
Laurie Luxmore - Treasurer for 11 yrs. - Nigel Chandler, 26/05/1998
Eric Grandin - President for 10 yrs. 7 - Gordon Stewart, 9/08/2004
Rod Johns - President for 9 yrs. – Daryl Hamilton, 13/07/1995
Brian Jose – Secretary for 8 yrs. - Nigel Chandler, 6/07/1998
Paul Rice - Secretary for 6 yrs. - Rod Johns, 21/08/2004
Ken Gunn – President for 6 yrs. 6 - Doug Ball, 15/06/1969
Otto Wolf – Secretary for 6 yrs. - Fred Denischuk 31/07/1977
Dick Karmel – Treasurer for 6 yrs. - Kevin Dolighan 17/07/1983
Neil Hamer – Treasurer for 6 yrs. - Michael Smits Snr. 20/05/2004
Notations and statistics compiled, arranged and edited by Paul Rice, taken from club records and with the assistance of memorabilia etc. lent by Russell Jones, Basil Hansen, Andrew Kirkham, Paul Watson, Kevin Brett, Rod Fernald, Glenn Grandy, Werner Schroeter, Beryl Black, Bob Blackburn, Rod Johns and many others, plus
the meticulous records of John McCrea-Williamson, long-time statistician for Ice Hockey Victoria.
This history was first compiled and written in 1987, updated in 1992, updated and re-published in November 2009; Uploaded on the Demons web site in September 2010, updated further in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
& 2019.
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