The Sydney Ice Dogs are pleased to announce the signing of the latest import, 6ft 2, 200lbs Canadian native Kevin Harvey.

Harvey’s professional career started when he was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 9^th round of the 2003 NHL draft. Harvey is a proven veteran, having played in the AHL, ECHL, CHL, EIHL, and Slovakia in the past 9 years. He made his debut in Australia last year, touring the country with the USA vs Canada Ice Hockey Series, playing in front of over 20,000 fans in Sydney.

Harvey is a hard-hitting power forward. Although amassing high penalty minutes, he also possesses the ability to create scoring chances and score goals. While playing for the Coventry Blaze in the EIHL in 2013-14, he earned 31 points(15G, 16A) in 37 games.

Having played in various leagues around the world, including Slovakia, Harvey is no slouch to understanding the differences of IIHF hockey to that of North American hockey.

He is looking forward to getting to Australia and assisting the young Ice Dogs. Harvey’s move to Australia will be permanent as he will be settling down on the Northern Beaches of Sydney with his Australian wife.

“This has been a long time coming for the Ice Dogs,” spoke Wilson, Ice Dogs’ General Manager, “we had to wait until Kevin finished playing in the ECHL to make our announcement, and they just kept winning. Kevin is really excited to join our team and we’re excited to have him. He knows the league here is completely different, and we look forward to having his leadership and verteran presence around the younger players.”

When asked about how he thinks Harvey will handle not being able to drop the gloves like in other leagues, Wilson said “Kevin is a professional hockey player, who understands all teams have different styles of play. He knows his role here will be help lead the younger players and build their confidence with his veteran presence on and off the ice.”

The Ice Dogs are a very young team this season. Kevin’s presence could not be coming at a better time for this rebuilding team. Be sure to head over to Liverpool Ice Arena on Sunday May 24^th to watch Kevin Harvey take to the ice as an Ice Dogs for the first time to take on the Adelaide Adrenaline at 5pm.