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.
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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.
