Adelaide Rush has announced the re-signing of Jeremy Friederich for the 2026/27 Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) season.
Friederich – who signed in August 2025, will take charge of the Rush for a second consecutive season.
Under Friederich, Adelaide’s 2025/26 campaign included six wins, 11 regulation losses, two overtime wins and one overtime loss from 20 games played.
The Rush finished just outside the four-team finals picture at the end of the regular season by a mere two points.
Club legend Farrier joins Rush coaching staff
Alongside Friederich will be former Rush captain and club legend Natasha Farrier, with Stu Henly and Sami Mantere rounding out the assistant coaching staff.
Farrier brings significant experience as a Rush player, with knowledge of the local game across AWIHL and AIHL, and will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff.
The Rush will be looking to build on last season’s campaign, with the same coaching staff returning and the addition of Farrier to provide stability heading into the 2026/27 season.
Friederich – who is only 24 years old, will have considerable experience around him for the upcoming season.
Key players to Rush hopes
With roster announcements to come, on the ice Adelaide might once again lean on its key contributors to chase down a finals berth.
Jordan Kulbida was the Rush’s points leader during the 2025/26 season, with 41 points from 20 games.
An electrifying forward, Kulbida would tuck away 24 goals and add 17 assists, averaging more than two points per game. If Kulbida doesn’t return to the AWIHL, Adelaide will need to replace strong offensive production that the Canadian forward was able to provide.
Leadership from captain Kate Tihema was massive during the 2025/26 season. Tihema had a breakout year as captain, a career high 13 goals, along with nine assists to finish on 22 points from 20 games.
Imports are a key component to success in the AWIHL, with Kulbida providing that across two seasons racking up 44 goals in total for the Rush. Offensive threats and strong leadership, that Tihema provided, was a catalyst to the bronze medal result for Adelaide in the 2024/25 season.
If Kulbida and Tihema do indeed return for the Rush, it would be a positive boost for the Adelaide outfit.
Rush set for Brisbane test
With the coaching staff secured, attention will shift towards the season and preparing the squad, as the Rush look to retain and add key players to its roster.
After narrowly missing the finals in 2025/26, that puts added importance on the opening rounds of the upcoming season, with early season wins important for their finals chances.
Adelaide will travel north and face last season’s silver medallists Brisbane Lightning, in a blockbuster opening round on November 7 & 8.
