A LOCAL player will make the jump to the NHL within the next five years, according to San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson.

Wilson, in Melbourne to see son Doug junior play for Melbourne Ice in the Australian Ice Hockey League, watched three games at the Docklands Icehouse last weekend and said he was ''really impressed'' with the facility, Ice's fan base and the standard of play.

Australian ice hockey team member, Nathan Walker after training. Credit:Ken Irwin

Ice beat Melbourne Mustangs 6-1 last Thursday, lost 5-3 to title rival Newcastle on Saturday, and beat Sydney Bears 4-3 on Sunday.

Wilson was satisfied with Ice's form, which has three games left before a sudden-death finals series that could deliver a third straight championship. ''I was impressed,'' he said. ''Hockey is a funny game, it's a lot about momentum and how you play when you don't have the puck. I'm sure it's a lot like footy, the support and how you surround the puck, and how you outnumber people in certain situations and how you are there for each other … When they do that, they're a very good hockey team.''