Canberra Brave coach Brad Hunt hails surprise recruit Kelly Geoffrey

The Brave will be aiming to build on its impressive 2-1 start to the Australian Ice Hockey League season with back-to-back games against the Thunder on Saturday and Sunday.

Geoffrey has been a key component of the Brave's early-season form, averaging three points per game in his two appearances.

But in a sign of the Brave's depth, Geoffrey was left out of the match-day squad for last weekend's 5-3 win against the Adelaide Adrenaline at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre.

Geoffrey was the unlucky one to miss out with each team only allowed to have four imports suit up per game.

Hunt decided to go with American goal-keeper Josh Unice, Stephen Blunden, Scott Pitt and defender Kyle Mariani.

"The surprise for me is Kelly Geoffrey," Hunt said.

"He's opened my eyes, we gave him a shot to come out and he has the same amount of points as Scott (Pitt) and he's a fantastic player in his own right.

"It's a coaching decision, we were short on defenders last week so we had to play Kyle regardless of anything, so one of our forward pack had to sit out.

"We've got five outstanding imports and only four can play."

The Brave will be boosted by the return of captain Mark Rummukainen, who missed last week's game with a torn leg muscle.

Hunt is keen for the Brave to continue its momentum and knows how important these games will be at the business end of the season.

"We don't want to end up coming home 2-3," Hunt said.

"We'd like to come home 4-1 and be at the top of the table or very close to it."