He also revealed that the amateur club has forged a partnership with NHL behemoth San Jose Sharks, in which players from both clubs would take part in an exchange program and Sharks coaches would come to Australia to conduct camps that would benefit the "greater hockey community".



The son of Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, Doug junior, played with the Ice this season, and is working on furthering the off-rink links between the clubs. Lamrock says it it "very humbling" to be forging a partnership with San Jose, to "work together for the good of the sport". He has overseen the exponential growth of the club since its move to the state-of-the-art Medibank Icehouse in Docklands. But he says the new venue "won't compete with the core business" of the Icehouse - public skating. “Our sport requires a second facility to ensure its long-term sustainability,” he said. "We've got to take responsibility for our sport."

Ice has won the title each year since the move from the tiny suburban rink at Oakleigh. The membership of the amateur club has grown from 80 to 450, with a waiting list of several hundred, and it filled the Icehouse at each home game in the past two seasons. However, the success of the team and the sport has increased demands on the multi-purpose Icehouse, which is the home of Olympic winter sports, rival AIHL team Melbourne Mustangs, and relies on public skating for revenue. The new venue would be a “hockey-first” facility, but would be versatile enough to accommodate sports such as netball and basketball. The popularity of adult beginner's hockey has further squeezed already precious ice time at the Icehouse. At the proposed new rink, junior and adult beginner's classes would be a major focus of the business, as well as elite training camps for players from all over Australia. Lamrock, stepping down from the club leadership to spend more time with his family, will remain involved in the rink project and various other initiatives commenced under his stewardship. He joined coach Paul 'Jaffa' Watson and veteran goalie Stu Denman in announcing his departure from the triumphant Ice unit.

Ice defeated Newcastle 4-3 on Sunday, coming from 0-2 down at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium to defeat the title favourites in a thrilling finale to a trying season. They have forged new ground for the league with their sponsorships, fan engagement, and player preparation. Ice home games are now broadcast live on the internet, and a fly-on-the-wall documentary series “The Ice: Road To Threepeat” followed their every move during the season. Lamrock says that documentary has been picked up locally by Foxtel, and internationally by a prestigious documentary film festival. An agent has fielded interest from several North American markets. Lamrock told members and fans that the team had “done it all” by winning their third grand final on the road in their tenth anniversary season, but a new chapter was now beginning for the burgeoning club. “I say goodbye... my family needs me more than you (the club) now.” He said he would remain a “member and volunteer”of the Ice. Watson said winning the title in Newcastle, amidst hordes of travelling fans, was “the most uplifting moment of his life” and something that would “stay with him forever”.

Loading Underscoring Ice's values of teamwork and self-sacrifice, the only awards presented last night were to members of the club's junior academy, rewarding commitment and application, not performance. And the Patron's Medal, honouring selflessness, commitment and integrity, went to not to a star player, but to volunteer Margaret Skillicorn.