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 (NZIHL). 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 (in the suburb of Botany Downs). They play their home games out of the Paradice Ice Skating Botany Rink known as The Hive.
History
2017 Season
7 May 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 for 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 10 December 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.
23 December 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.
26 May 2018, Alexandr Polozov played his 100th game for the Botany Swarm against the Canterbury Red Devils.
9 June 2018, Jordan Challis played his 150th game for the Botany Swarm against the Dunedin Thunder.
21 July 2018, Logan Fraser played his 50th game for the Botany Swarm against the Dunedin Thunder.
5 August 2018, The Botany Swarm had their 200th NZIHL game.
2019 Season 22 February 2019, Travis Crickard appointed Botany Swarm General Manager/CEO.
24 February 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.
11 May 2019, Michelle Cox appointed Botany Swarm Head Coach.
9 June 2019, Andrew Hay played his 200th game for the Botany Swarm against the West Auckland Admirals.
2021 Season The roster included goaltender Grace Harrison, one of only two women competing in the league.
Season-by-season results SeasonFinishPlayoff2005 6 2 – 2 – 2 21 20 11 3rd Did not qualify 2006 6 5 – 0 – 1 25 17 15 1st Lost final (Southern Stampede) 2007 10 8 – 1 – 1 44 28 26 2nd Won final (Canterbury Red Devils) 2008 12 8 – 3 – 1 65 35 31 2nd Won final (Canterbury Red Devils) 2009 16 7 – 2 – 7 71 70 16 3rd Did not qualify 2010 16 10 1 – 2 3 76 50 34 1st Won final (West Auckland Admirals) 2011 16 12 0 – 1 3 94 44 37 1st Won final (Southern Stampede) 2012 16 3 0 – 2 11 45 82 11 5th Did not qualify 2013 16 7 2 – 4 3 110 77 30 3rd Did not qualify 2014 16 5 2 – 2 7 71 70 21 4th Did not qualify 2015 16 4 1 – 2 9 67 87 16 3rd Did not qualify 20161661–096373204thDid not qualify20171641–295395164thDid not qualify20181650–1105986164thDid not qualify201916100–158149312ndLost semifinal (West Auckland Admirals)2020400–1472612ndPlayoffs not held20211462–06545122–Playoffs cancelled
Players
Current roster Team roster for the 2026 NZIHL Season
Franchise scoring leaders There are the top ten point scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NZIHL regular season. # Player Seasons Pos 1 KC Ball 2005-18 F 184 73 118 191 82 2 Jordan Challis 2007-18 F 157 64 81 145 383 3 Alex Polosov 2010-14, 2016-18 F 113 62 75 137 327 4 Brandon Contratto 2013-15 F 47 59 66 125 105 5 Joshua Hay 2005-13, 2017-18 F 119 54 55 109 343 6 Michael Attwell 2009-17 F 131 35 57 92 182 7 Andrew Hay 2005-18 D 190 18 64 82 243 8 Ian Wannamaker 2007-15 D 104 43 38 81 149 9 Charlie Huber 2005-11, 2015 F 73 40 41 81 52 10 Lyle Idoine 2005-12 F 90 28 45 73 302
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. # Player Seasons Pos 1 Andrew Hay 2005-18 D 190 6 2 KC Ball 2005-18 F 184 3 3 Jordan Challis 2007-18 F 157 2 4 Leith Thompson 2005-18 D 142 2 5 Michael Attwell 2009-17 F 131 0 6 Joshua Hay 2005-13, 2017-18 F 119 3 7 Alex Polosov 2010-14, 2016-18 F 113 0 8 Ian Wannamaker 2007-15 D 104 4 9 Samuel Boniface 2007-10, 2012–13, 2015 F 98 2 10 Lyle Idione 2005-12 F 90 3
Technical staff Current as of 24 June 2019 2018 NZIHL Botany Swarm Staff Position Name Head coach Michelle Cox Assistant coach Corey McEwen General Manager Philippa Kaisser Physiotherapist Sankaran Duntellu Team Staff Michael Attwell
Leaders
Team captains
#NameFromTo1 Rene Aish4 June 20057 August 20052 George Pilgrim9 June 200610 September 20063 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%
References
External links