Sydney Bears Sign defenceman Brian Funes for season 2016. Following on from the signing of Billy Cliff comes the signing of former Ice Dogs captain Brian Funes. The 25 year old was a veteran leader during a difficult season for the Dogs last year and is looking forward to putting some more wins on the board this year as part of the Bears organisation. The Bears needed to add more depth at defence and Funes will add that plus a little toughness that the Bears have lacked in previous years. Funes is only young but has an impressive hockey resume after 123 games in the AIHL. He also represented Australia in both Junior and Senior World Championships. On top of that he won a Goodal Cup in 2013.
Funes has already trained with the Bears the past week or so and saw many familiar faces on the ice. “My decision to switch over from the Ice Dogs to the Bears wasn’t an easy one but for right now it felt like the right choice to make.
So far it’s been great. For me it’s been an easy transition into the team since I know a few of the boys from playing with them in past for various teams, so I’m excited to be able to play with them again this season.
I feel like this season with our strong core group of Australian talent we can make a serious run for the cup and hopefully I’ll be able to play a big part in that journey this year.”
Bears defenceman Spencer Austin was also happy to see a familiar face with him on the blue line for 2016. “Having Funesy coming over is great for our team. It gives us a solid defenceman with some extra leadership to help guide some of the younger players. Defence is where we struggled a bit last year and along with our import defenceman coming in a few weeks, it means we should be a top four team this year for sure!”
The Bears season kicks of Sunday April 24 against the CBR Brave before taking on Brian’s old team the Sydney Ice Dogs on 1
st May 2016.
MUSTANGS
BRAVE
ICE
THUNDER
RHINOS
NORTHSTARS
ADRENALINE
LIGHTNING
