Botany Swarm


The Botany Swarm is a semi-professional ice hockey team based in East Auckland, New Zealand. The team is a member of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League. The team was founded in 2005 as the South Auckland Swarm. Their name was changed prior to the 2007 season due to it being similar to one of the other teams and to better reflect the area in Auckland where their home rink is located. They play their home games out of the Paradice Ice Skating Botany Rink known as The Hive.

History

2017 season

May 7, 2017, the Swarm announced that after 11 seasons, head coach Andreas Kaißer has stepped down, and will be replaced by former Swarm alumnus Brandon Contratto. However due to personal reasons Brandon was unable to commit to the role. Former assistant coach Jeff Boehme took the role of head coach for the 2017 season.
The Botany Swarm welcomed four new imports for the 2017 season: Petr Zítka from the Czech Republic, Ryan Widmar from Illinois, Maximilian Hadraschek from Germany and Alex Mitsionis from Ohio.

2018 season

December 10, 2017, the Swarm announced that Ian Wannamaker was appointed as the new head coach. Ian Wannamaker played for the Botany Swarm from 2007-2015 and represented New Zealand from 2010-2013, 2015.
December 23, 2017, the Swarm announced that assistant coach of the Kelowna Rockets Travis Crickard was appointed as the new assistant coach.
The Botany Swarm welcomed four new imports for the 2018 season: Declan Weir an Irish Canadian, Harry Ferguson from Scotland, Colin Langham from Georgia and Lucas Bombardier from Vermont.
May 26, 2018, Alexandr Polozov played his 100th game for the Botany Swarm against the Canterbury Red Devils.
June 9, 2018, Jordan Challis played his 150th game for the Botany Swarm against the Dunedin Thunder.
July 21, 2018, Logan Fraser played his 50th game for the Botany Swarm against the Dunedin Thunder.
August 5, 2018, The Botany Swarm had their 200th NZIHL game.

2019 season

February 22, 2019, Travis Crickard appointed Botany Swarm General Manager/CEO.
February 24, 2019, Joel Rindelaub appointed Botany Swarm Interim Assistant General Manager.
The Botany Swarm welcomed four new imports for the 2019 season: Andrea Ricca from Italy, Corey McEwen born in Cardiff and now living in Toronto, Corey Morgan from New Jersey and Daniel Iasenza from Montreal.
May 11, 2019, Michelle Cox appointed Botany Swarm Head Coach.
June 9, 2019, Andrew Hay played his 200th game for the Botany Swarm against the West Auckland Admirals.

Players

Current roster

Team roster for the 2018 NZIHL Season
#NatNamePosS/GAgeAcquiredBirthplace
6 'FL2009Johannesburg, South Africa
19FR2005Mission, British Columbia, Canada
2DL2018Toronto, Ontario, Canada
32GL2019Haifa, Israel
22 'FR2007Auckland, New Zealand
9DR2019Takapuna, New Zealand
5DR2019Auckland, New Zealand
24DR2014Auckland, New Zealand
37GL2015Auckland, New Zealand
13 DR2005Auckland, New Zealand
21FR2005Auckland, New Zealand
20DR2013Auckland, New Zealand
26DL2013Auckland, New Zealand
1GL2013Auckland, New Zealand
11FR2016Auckland, New Zealand
14FR2019Montreal, Quebec, Canada
18FR2013Auckland, New Zealand
27FR2015Vladivostok, Russia
28FR2014Rakovník, Czech Republic
34FR2019Albany, New Zealand
17DR2016Whangarei, New Zealand
7FR2019Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
33FR2019Auckland, New Zealand
4DL2019Ridgewood, New Jersey, United States
31GL2019Kauri, New Zealand
10FL2016Kohtla-Järve, Estonia
30GL2018Auckland, New Zealand
15DR2019Manukau, New Zealand
3DL2019Pinerolo, Italy
29FR2018St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
25DR2018Auckland, New Zealand
36FR2019Auckland, New Zealand
23DR2005Auckland, New Zealand
8FR2014Auckland, New Zealand
35FL2007Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
12FL2019Auckland, New Zealand

Franchise scoring leaders

There are the top ten point scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NZIHL regular season.
#PlayerSeasonsPos
1 KC Ball2005-18F1847311819182
2 Jordan Challis2007-18F1576481145383
3 Alex Polosov2010-14, 2016-18F1136275137327
4 Brandon Contratto2013-15F475966125105
5 Joshua Hay2005-13, 2017-18F1195455109343
6 Michael Attwell2009-17F131355792182
7 Andrew Hay2005-18D190186482243
8 Ian Wannamaker2007-15D104433881149
9 Charlie Huber2005-11, 2015F7340418152
10 Lyle Idoine2005-12F90284573302

Franchise all-time most appearances

There are the top ten player who have made the most appearances in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NZIHL regular season.
#PlayerSeasonsPos
1 Andrew Hay2005-18D1906
2 KC Ball2005-18F1843
3 Jordan Challis2007-18F1572
4 Leith Thompson2005-18D1422
5 Michael Attwell2009-17F1310
6 Joshua Hay2005-13, 2017-18F1193
7 Alex Polosov2010-14, 2016-18F1130
8 Ian Wannamaker2007-15D1044
9 Samuel Boniface2007-10, 2012–13, 2015F982
10 Lyle Idione2005-12F903

Technical staff

Current as of 24 June 2019
PositionName
Head Coach Michelle Cox
Assistant Coach Corey McEwen
General Manager Philippa Kaisser
Physiotherapist Sankaran Duntellu
Team Staff Michael Attwell

Leaders

Team captains

#NameFromTo
1 Rene Aish4 June 20057 August 2005
2 George Pilgrim9 June 200610 September 2006
3 Andrew Hay26 May 2007Current

Head coaches

#ManagerFromToPlayedWonOvertime WonTiedOvertime LostLostGFGAWin %
1 Andreas Kaisser4 June 20054 September 201188552931942127870.27%
2 Philip Lyle9 June 201227 August 201218300213539620.37%
3 Andreas Kaisser25 May 20137 August 201664226082831130744.79%
4 Jeff Boehme26 May 20176 August 20171641029539533.33%
5 Ian Wannamaker26 May 201810 October 201816500110598633.33%