There are seasons when a team makes a statement with its roster, and the Melbourne Ducks’ 2026/27 squad certainly looks like one of them.
Recently, they announced their full squad, including four import skaters from North America.
Also included on the roster are several players switching from other Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) teams, adding strength and depth.
After finishing their inaugural AWIHL season in last place and not being able to pick up a win, it’s a big year for the Ducks.
While they are growing their fanbase, culture and presence in the AWIHL, they want to be competitive on the ice.
So, looking at the Ducks team for 2026/27, one question I asked myself: are they finals bound?
Four North American imports arrive
There has been a massive shift for the Ducks roster heading into the 2026/27 season, with experience coming into the lineup.
After finding their feet as the newest expansion team, there is clear intent for the Ducks coming out of their first AWIHL season.
Sydney Olsen, Mia Bierd, Chloe Reid and Sara Bayne are the four North American imports who have signed with the Ducks.
Each player brings college, USports and European hockey experience to the roster.
It’s the first time the Ducks have brought in this many imports, with strong hockey experience.
Entering the 2025/26 season it was establishing themselves as a new club, the marker for the Ducks wasn’t the wins and losses column.
Now, entering their second season, there seems to be a shift in on ice direction.
Coming out of that first season the Ducks have understood the assignment, bolstering their roster significantly with imports.
Four North American imports now put them on par with some other AWIHL teams.
Imports don’t automatically guarantee teams success, but they are important signings for any AWIHL team. How they fit into AWIHL life will be judged down the road.
What import players can provide is strong leadership, experience and quality. Something the Ducks will be hoping for from their 2026/27 class of import signings.
For the Ducks to make a leap up the standings, consistency across the roster will be key to achieving that.
As teams in the AWIHL get consistent multiple years out of imports, this might be the start of the Ducks journey down that path.
Now we wait and see if the four North American imports will be the deciding factor.
Recruiting proven AWIHL experience
Jumping off the page when looking at the Ducks 2026/27 roster is the players they were able to attract from within the AWIHL.
Players that have years of experience in the league and have represented Australia at international level.
Some of the key inclusions are Ebony Brunt, Lucy York and Eiland Kenyon (Sydney Sirens), Alita Jackwitz and Bec Jennings (Melbourne Ice).
When we look at the impact those four North American players will have, these local signings will be just as important.
Players from within the AWIHL will already know the league, it’s speed and physicality and demands of a season.
There will be an adjustment period the players will need to go through, but time spent finding their feet will be short.
For the Ducks they will be hoping for immediate contributions.
Combing the local players that have transferred clubs and the North Americans, there is more meat to the Ducks roster this season.
More meat on the bone and strength across all lines and defensive pairings has given the Ducks a fresh new look.
With the AWIHL season stretching from November to February, experienced local players stepping in and providing instant production is vital.
The Culture Starts With Those Who Built It
Culture plays a big role in how a sports team will perform and represent themselves on the ice, the Ducks established theirs in their first season.
It’s why when you look at the roster and how strongly the Ducks have recruited, players who laid the foundations returning for the 2026/27 season is important.
Kellye Nelson who lead the team in scoring with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) returns alongside Vicky Procyk, Georgia Carson, Hope Newman and Heather Ryland.
All five serving as alternate captains and leaders for the Ducks, building identity for the club on and off the ice.
Heading into their second AWIHL season the role of returning players embedded into the Ducks system is significant.
It’s here where the consistency will really begin to shine through.
The pillars which the Ducks where built from were created through these players, who continue to pave the way for future teams.
Now, the Ducks will be hoping for instant connection between highly touted imports and local recruits.
If the connection is immediate, it will go a long way to painting the Ducks’ finals picture.
From expansion team to finals contender?
It’s the biggest question mark over the Ducks heading into the 2026/27 season.
Are they genuine threat to win the Joan McKowen Trophy?
The AWIHL is a six-team league, so the opportunity to rise from cellar dweller to contender is not out of the realms of possibility.
And the marker for a positive season for the Ducks isn’t going from last to winning the league.
It’s about being a competitive hockey team, something they found at the end of the 2025/26 season.
While the wins still evaded them, there was a shift under head coach Jeremy Muir at the end of their first season.
The Ducks found themselves in games, they were more competitive and the fabric of a hockey team was starting to shine through.
However, the Ducks won’t be competing against the same teams as last season. Some have already made strong additions to the roster, Torie Cybulski to the Perth Inferno headlining that.
Teams that have been established in the league for years, their programs continue to develop and get stronger.
So, it makes the Ducks second season an intriguing one.
On paper it appears the Ducks are set for a finals push, which might be an ambitious target in their second season.
But for the first time in their AWIHL life, it feels like that is a realistic question to ask.
