The club was founded 20 years ago and played their first competitive match on 24th August 2001, away to Super League club, Ayr Scottish Eagles, the Eagles won 3-2 in a tight game. You can read the match report HERE!
The return leg was played at Dundee Ice arena on 26th August 2001, the first ever Stars home game. Which ended 5 -5! You can read the match report HERE!
The Stars first ever season saw them compete and win the British National League title and the Playoff Championship, under the leadership of the legendary, player coach Tony Hand.
Twenty years later, the entire organisation has come a long way since and has grown its fanbase to the largest ever seen at the Dundee Ice Arena.
Dundee Stars director, Mike Ward commented:
“As a family we are extremely privileged to welcome the anniversary of 20 years in existence.
“What started out as an idea, has turned into a way of life for many people.
“The City of Dundee and ice hockey fans from the Tayside area, had been without an Ice Rink and a professional team for over 10 years, and we believed we could bring the best possible hockey team to the city.
“Prior to the start of that first season, we hosted an event at the Discovery Quay, where only a handful of fans signed up for season tickets. It is amazing to look back and see how much we have grown over those 20 years.
“I would like to thank the many coaches, players, staff and volunteers who over many seasons, have all contributed to the fantastic product that we now see on the ice.
“Another major part of the success of Dundee Stars, is the ongoing level of commitment and support we have from Leisure & Culture Dundee, Dundee Ice Arena and all our sponsors from the local business community. A HUGE THANKS TO YOU ALL!
“I would like to give my special thanks to all our amazing fans, past and present, who have supported this great club throughout the last 20 years, especially the faith and commitment shown to the club in the past 18 months during a very difficult time for us all with the pandemic.
“If it wasn’t for you all, the Stars wouldn’t be here today.
“Finally, on a personal note, I want to give my heart-felt thanks to my fantastic family, for their support; especially my wee brother Stephen and my sister-in-law June. Stephen has been a great ambassador for our club. Over the past two decades, he has worked tirelessly to push this club forward. I’m really proud of him.
“From a young laddie who got my first pair of second-hand skates, just over 50 years ago and fell in love with ice hockey, to what we as a family have built, I am proud to be a part of the longest running organisation in Dundee Ice Hockey history – a true family sport.”
Stars General Manager and Head Coach, Omar Pacha, added : “This is a very special day.
“The club reaching 20 years of existence and continually growing in an ambitious city that is growing too is great.
“Obviously I have not been here for all 20 years, but in my short time with the club, I have seen that this club means something really special to the people in Dundee and I am extremely privileged to be working for the Stars.”
Pacha continued: “We are very fortunate to have a great place like the DIA to call home and you would not think looking at the place that it is over 20 years old!
“It is a really nice and modern facility, we have great staff at the ice arena who support us and they make sure that they take great care of all the players, the club and the facility, which make it a fantastic place to welcome our fans in to.
“It is great to have any club in one city for 20 years and under the same ownership for that entire time is something special.
“We are hoping we can continue to grow the club and the sport in Dundee and have another successful 20 years.”
The Stars boss then shared a few words about the team’s future and their anniversary season, he said: “It is an exciting time to be a Dundee Stars fan.
“We have really grown in the last few years, but obviously the pandemic has hurt everyone and everyone across the sporting world, not just hockey.
“However, exciting times are ahead and our fans are excited to see us coming back, so we really want to keep building on our progress from the last few years and there is a massive opportunity this season to start fresh and put on a great show for our fans.
“It is exciting to see where this club goes in the next few years but right now we are focusing on coming back strong and taking more steps to continue becoming a bigger club.
“I am confident that with our fanbase, our sponsors, our partners and everybody else around the club that we will be able to do that this year, in what will be a special season.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to our 20th campaign and we cannot wait to welcome you all back to the DIA in just a matter of weeks.
You can buy your season tickets NOW from Dundee Ice Arena 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday!
For any ticketing inquiries please email [email protected].
Full information for season tickets can be found HERE!
