Introducing the CBR Brave.
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Canberra's newest sporting team will make history when it steps out on to the ice for the first time in Saturday night's Australian Ice Hockey League season opener against the Newcastle North Stars.
A capacity crowd of 1000 will pack into the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre for the reincarnation of what used to be the Canberra Knights.
After Knights owners sensationally handed in their licence in late February - ending a 33-year existence dating back to 1981 - the Canberra players rallied to bring the team back from the ashes with the help of a resounding level of community support.
More than $27,000 of public donations were pledged as the Brave was born, doing what seemed impossible to have a new club ready to go in the space of five short weeks.
Players have been put through rigorous army-style training sessions under the guidance of renowned personal trainer Lee Campbell to build their fitness, but to also bring the group together during their limited preparation.
Derek Walker is one of five Canadians on the Brave's roster among its six imports.
The Winnipeg native heard about the team through a family contact and jumped at the opportunity to play ice hockey in Australia.
"It's been awesome, all the guys are great, everyone works hard and we're pumped for a big season,'' Walker said.
"I don't understand a lot of the sports here yet like rugby, but I'm learning.
"Fans can expect the games to be physical, very high-energy and everyone will be trying their hardest to win.''
The Brave is close to filling its quota of 200 memberships, some player sponsors have been secured and it has game-day sponsors for the first five home matches.
Negotiations are continuing on a major sponsor, with an agreement set to be reached in the next 48 hours.
The team's jerseys hadn't arrived as of Friday night as club officials formulated a plan B to ensure they have a uniform for their opening game.
A couple of imports aren't available for the first couple of rounds, while the Brave is also without its two Australian representatives, Mark Rummukainen and James Byres, who are at the Division IIA World Championships in Serbia.
But despite being undermanned, Brave assistant coach David Rogina said the squad was quietly confident of making an early statement in the competition.
"We like our chances with who we've got and we're looking forward to getting the season going,'' Rogina said.
"Anytime you lose two guys to the world championships they're going to be quality players and it's going to leave you a little short.
"We've got most of our squad here without four guys, so we're looking alright.''
AUSTRALIAN ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE
Saturday: Round one: CBR Brave v Newcastle North Stars at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre, 5.30pm.
BRAVES TIMELINE
February 26: After 33 years in existence, the Canberra Knights announced they would be pulling out of the Australian Ice Hockey League just six weeks before the start of the season. Knights owner John Raut, who manages the Phillip Swiming and Ice Skating Centre where the team trains and plays, said financial losses and an inability to field a competitive team were the reasons behind his decision.
February 27: The Knights players rally together and plan to take over the club's licence themselves to keep a Canberra team alive in the AIHL. A public donation fund is started.
February 28: The Canberra players raise more than $13,000 on the opening day in public donations towards a goal of $50,000. However, the team won't be known as the Knights unless they compensate Raut, who holds the rights to the team's licence.
March 1: Donations continue to flow in as former Knights captain Mark Rummukainen confirms the team will change its name. The next hurdle is to secure an agreement to play at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre.
March 2: The Canberra players have an agreement with Raut to train and play at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre. It is one of the three criteria they need to fulfil before a meeting with the AIHL at 8pm. The other two to show it is financially viable and whether it has the capacity to field a competitive team. More than $23,000 in donations have been received.
March 3: Ice Hockey Australia vice-president Andy McDowell says having a Canberra team in the AIHL is crucial to the development of the sport in Australia. The Canberra team is still waiting to hear back from the AIHL to see if it is accepted for the upcoming season.
March 6: The CBR Brave is born. The Brave will adopt the ACT colours of blue, white and yellow and ensure Canberra has a men's ice hockey team in the Australian Ice Hockey League. Allinsure director Peter Chamberlain and Jamie Wilson, owner-director of advertising agency Coordinate, are in charge of running the club after getting in contact with Rummukainen.
April 12: The Brave plays its first game when it hosts the Newcastle North Stars at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre.