247Getting To Know The Stars Of The 2025 Nzihl Season
This year’s NZIHL season has been filled with ups and downs, with the Botany Swarm holding a narrow lead over the SkyCity Stampede in the standings. Sitting just behind them are the Pure NZ West Auckland Admirals and Phoenix Thunder, with the Canterbury Red Devils in the undesireable last place.
At the top of the points race are a couple of familiar faces. Leading the league is SkyCity Stampede’s Colin McIntosh with 36 points, while the Phoenix Thunder’s Cole Beckstead trails close behind on 31, matching his total from last season. McIntosh won the scoring race last year with an impressive 39 points, while Beckstead finished third with 31.
Now in his ninth NZIHL season, McIntosh continues to shine. Coming off a New Zealand Ice Blacks national team-leading 8 points in 5 games at the IIHF Division 2B tournament hosted in Dunedin in April, his 27 points this season have brought him within just 10 points of fourth all-time in NZIHL scoring. Now, I’m not saying he has had the greatest NZIHL career of all time – but you could certainly make the argument: five Birgel Cups, a Finals MVP, a scoring title, and soon to be fourth all-time in scoring, all achieved in seven fewer seasons than any of the players ahead of him. A potential league MVP and another scoring title this year would only add to his already impressive resume. Standing in his way is the electric Cole Beckstead.
After a successful OJHL career with the Kingston Voyageurs, the Morrisburg, Ontario winger headed to the NCAA before making his way to New Zealand in 2024. Averaging 2.3 points per game since joining the league, Beckstead’s 60 points in two seasons are second only to McIntosh. Beckstead’s 21 assists lead the league, thanks in large part to his chemistry with NZIHL-leading defenceman Luke Stegmann. Stegmann, from Gatineau, Quebec, has been a major factor in the Phoenix Thunder’s resurgence. With added leadership from NZIHL legend Chris Eaden, the Thunder have emphatically left behind last year’s 2-win, 14-loss season.
The breakout of Ian Audas should also not be overlooked. The 20-year-old exploded into the top 10 of the scoring race this past weekend, nearly doubling his season tally with an incredible 11 points – including 7 goals – across 2 games against the Red Devils.
Simply put, Fort Frances, Ontario native and SkyCity Stampede centre, Nolan Ross has picked up right where he left off. After leading the league with 22 goals in 16 games last season, his 17 goals in 12 games currently lead the NZIHL, and his 24 points have him tied for second with Beckstead.
Just behind with 23 points is the electrifying Ivan Dalmatau. While he may feel he should have more points, few would argue he could have more highlights. The Belarusian–New Zealander has continued to develop into one of the country’s brightest young stars. Two years on from his 12-goal, 17-point rookie season, the 20-year-old continues to build on his production year after year.
Beyond Ivan, the Swarm’s younger players have stepped up in a big way. Defenceman Luke Simon, along with forwards Markus MacDonald and Kyle March, have all taken big strides. The recent return of forward Jackson Fontaine has also been a boost, with him scoring three goals in his comeback weekend.
Dalmatau has spent this season on the Swarm’s top line alongside Philadelphia native Evan Carrol and Hungarian forward Balint Pakozdi. Through just 8 games, Carrol has tallied 19 timely points and made his presence felt throughout the league. Pakozdi, meanwhile, has notched 8 points in 6 games since joining the team, following a near point-per-game career with the Swindon Wildcats in the UK’s NIHL. More importantly, since his arrival, the Swarm have lost only once – and that was to McIntosh and Ross’s Stampede.
Not far behind the Swarm and Stampede are the ever-resilient Pure NZ West Auckland Admirals. Led as always by their true north star, Justin Daigle, the Admirals can never be counted out. They might not have the same high-octane offence as the Swarm, Stampede, or Thunder, but they win through grit, determination, and elite goaltending.
Leading the way offensively for the Admirals are the trio of Daigle (16 points), Max Vesper (16), and Alex Regan (15). Their continued development has helped power an exceptional 40% power play success rate. However, fans were concerned to see Daigle’s absence this past weekend due to an undisclosed injury. As the heart and soul of the squad, the team will be hoping for a quick return as the playoffs draw near.
Lastly, we look at the Canterbury Red Devils. There’s no sugar-coating it – it’s been a tough season. But there have been some bright spots. Remi Morris and Fabian Hast have been highlights all year, their 26 points apiece leading the team by a wide margin and tying them for fourth in the league.
Beyond that dynamic duo, the Red Devils have seen encouraging internal development. Australian brothers Thomas and Noah Moncrieff have shown growth as gritty, hard-hitting forwards. Defenceman Luke Tappin has emerged as a point-per-game contributor. And personally, I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of 18-year-old Dmitri Maistrenok-Zubkovski (what a name!) – a smooth-skating, confident young defenceman who looks set to be a mainstay in the league for years. Unfortunately, the team’s instability in net – rotating through Tim Carey, Daniel Reason, Niall Fanning, and Isaac Gardner-Deeming – has made it hard to build momentum.
Speaking of goaltenders, it’s fitting to finish with those who’ve logged the most ice time. Leading the way is the SkyCity Stampede’s Aston Brookes, whose 91.64% save percentage leads the NZIHL. Just behind him is Botany Swarm goaltender Grace Harrison with a 90.69% save percentage. Fresh off an incredible IIHF silver medal performance, Harrison continues to be a standout in goal for Botany.
As things stand, Harrison’s Swarm hold the edge over Brookes’ Stampede – but there’s still a lot of hockey left to play. I, for one, can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.