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Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Look who's Jett-ed back
Canadian Jett McCullum in action for the SkyCity Stampede last weekend. PHOTO: SUPPLIED It's been a whirlwind week or so for Canadian Jett McCullum. The 20-year-old ice hockey player was, till about 12 days ago, ensconced at home, planning to spend his summer training before starting at Alberta's Portage College in September, where he's received a full scholarship. He joined the SkyCity Stampede as an import for the 2024 season, but hopped on a flight almost as soon as the team lifted the Birgel Cup last year, bound for California, in the US. There, he played a full season for the Ventura Vikings in the USPHL — "the biggest junior hockey league in the world". When that team failed to make the play-offs, McCullum was traded to the Vernal Oilers, in Utah, where he finished the season and helped win the national champs, before heading back to Canada. But not long after the final whistle blew on the IIHF Division 2, Group B world champs in Dunedin on May 3, Stampede coach Cam Frear flicked McCullum a text, asking if he'd be keen to come back, and how soon he might be able to get here. His flights were booked last Monday, he flew out on Wednesday (New Zealand time), surprised the team at training on Thursday, and was on the ice last Friday and Saturday against the West Auckland Admirals. "It wasn't easy," he says. "I haven't skated for the past month-and-a-half in Canada, so I was surprised with how well I played, even though I didn't play my best." While the Stampede enjoyed a hard-fought 3-2 win on Friday night, fortunes reversed on Saturday, with a 2-3 loss. Overall though, McCullum says it was a "pretty good first weekend" for him, and he's stoked to be back with the Stampede, whom he describes as "a special group". "It's probably the closest team I've ever been with ... we had the most fun we've ever had playing hockey [last year]. "The culture's quite amazing, the coaching's good and everyone really took me under their wing ... I'm happy to be back here with the guys this season." He's also excited to be back in Queenstown, which "might be my favourite city in the world right now". Frear says the timing's worked out perfectly to secure the defenceman, who'll be with the team till after finals. "It's pretty cool [to have him back]. "He was obviously awesome for us on the ice, but just one of those personalities that all the boys love being around." This weekend the Stampede travel to Dunedin for the southern derby against Phoenix Thunder, whom McCullum suggests "might be the team to beat" this year. "But we're up for it — we're Stampede. "It'll be a fun weekend."
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ice Blacks captain living the dream
Callum Burns is living out his childhood dream this week. The Ice Blacks defender is no stranger to the big time after nearly a decade with the national side, but taking over the captaincy and playing in a world tournament at home has added another level. "It's pretty exciting," Burns said. "A really big honour ... to play in front of the home crowd as well. "It's been a childhood dream of mine, so I'm really, really excited." The Ice Blacks opened their division 2, group B world championship campaign with a 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei on Sunday and were back on the ice against Georgia last night. They play Thailand (Thursday), Bulgaria (Friday) and Iceland (Saturday) — the latter two games have already sold out — across the week. Every team presented a different challenge, but Burns said the Ice Blacks needed to focus on themselves first. "I think just maintaining consistency. You've got to keep a level head. These tournaments, anything can happen — top teams can lose to lower teams as far as seeding goes. "You can't get too far ahead of yourself and you've just got to take it game by game." Drawing on the support from Dunedin home crowds, who came out in force for the women's tournament a fortnight ago, and using the home ice to their advantage was key. "They [the Ice Fernz] got a lot of support and it looks like we're going to get the same. "It's nice to be here. We're not having to adjust to going to the other side of the world. "It's been nice to get right into it and we've had a good training camp ... we're in good stead." Burns, who hails from Queenstown, started playing ice hockey when he was 6, after visiting a friend's house and trying out his hockey gear. The sport has been a mainstay in his life ever since and he has been part of a successful reign with the Southern Stampede, who won their record ninth Birgel Cup in the national league last year. Burns put their success down to the culture, starting in the locker room and off the ice as mates, and bringing that to their games. "The whole organisation — management, coaches, physios — everyone that's involved contributes their bit. "Not one person can do everything ... just trying to bring that same kind of team environment to this team [the Ice Blacks] as well." It was those friendships that had kept him in the sport for so long. "I've got all my best mates growing up that are on this team as well. "I love winning, as does everyone, and to do that with your best mates — not much better." — Yesterday's results: Iceland beat Bulgaria 8-4; Chinese Taipei beat Thailand 7-3 and Georgia beat New Zealand 5-0.
