13U is open to both male and female players who are a maximum of 13 years old as at 31 December in the hockey year. In 2026, the division is open to those born in 2013 & 2014, and younger players, if deemed suitable, as per IHV rules and policies. Players born in 2015 who have been assessed as having suitable skills and experience may apply to “play up” from the 11U division at the club’s discretion.
13U is classified as non-checking and slap shots (stick above the knee) are not permitted.
Shae Ganac will be back for a third year to head up the U13 program and has a range of specialist coaches in store for the team this year.
Our 13U team will be managed by the very capable and experienced Amanda Elliott, who will be your “go to” for all things team-related.
This year we have submitted an EOI for our 13U team into the Next Gen tournament at Ice HQ (April 11-14) as part of our pre season preparation.
Watch this space for details of our upcoming comprehensive checking program for season preparation.
13U Team Staff
Head Coach: Shae Ganac
Shaden “Shae” Gañac is a long-time player, coach, and community builder in Australian and international ice hockey. She has represented the Philippines National Women’s Team (1×Champion), Australian Selects, and won titles in both the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL, 6× Champion) and the Women’s Professional League at IceHQ (1×Champion). She has also played for the Adelaide Assassins and the Melbourne Ice Women and has previously trained with the Melbourne Ducks as part of her preparation for the 2025 SEA Games.
One of the early female pioneers to emerge from South Australia, Shae grew up playing hockey with the boys and later spent time playing varsity hockey in Boston, USA — experiences that helped shape her competitive edge and leadership style. Her background includes involvement in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) environments and Australia’s high-performance sport system through the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA), as well as mentorship from Geoffrey J. Henke AO, the godfather of Australian winter sport.
Shae was also the first female President and is a Life Member of the Demons. She is passionate about grassroots development, creating inclusive pathways, and helping young players grow both on and off the ice.
Shae is excited to return to the Demons juniors’ program next season to help shape the next generation of players.
Assistant Coach: Brendan Ilsley
Brendan Ilsley is a long-time player in the Victorian ice hockey community and brings a steady, supportive presence to his role as an assistant coach. With experience across multiple senior levels in both winter and summer leagues, he focuses on helping young players build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and feel comfortable learning the game.
Having progressed through the Victorian hockey pathway himself, Brendan understands the challenges young athletes face and brings a calm, reliable energy to every training environment. He values effort, attitude, and creating a positive experience for all players. He was recently awarded the 2025 Best Team Player Award for the Demons Winter Senior D Team, reflecting his commitment to his teammates and the club.
Brendan is looking forward to returning to the Demons juniors’ program next season, supporting the coaching team, and helping guide the next generation of players as they grow in both skill and confidence.
Brendan will be a Game Day Coach for our 15U team and an Assistant Coach for our 13U program
Assistant Coach: Julian Lau
Born in 2009 and originally from Melbourne, Australia, Julian Lau has developed into a versatile and dedicated ice hockey player with experience across both Australian and Canadian junior programs.
In Australia, Julian has represented the Demons Ice Hockey Club and the Docklands Ice Wolves across the 15U, and 17U divisions, as well as playing in The Levels Div 1 Rec League. His commitment and performance have seen him selected to represent Victoria in national tournaments including the Ginsberg (13U), Defris (15U), and Tange (18U) championships. He has also participated in numerous interstate and international tournaments, such as the OneHockey Ironworks Steelers Bantam Tournament (captain), the Lynch Cup, the Heatons Cup, and Ice Dragons Classic in Singapore.
Currently based in Canada, Julian is in his third year at Académie Ste-Cécile International School in Windsor, Ontario, where he competes for both the Prep 18U and Varsity 17U teams, captaining the latter. He plays in the Midwest Prep Hockey League (MPHL) and the Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL), while also taking part in various tournaments and showcase events across Canada and the U.S.
When in Australia, Julian also contributes to the sport as an on-ice official, refereeing games for Ice Hockey Victoria and the NiteOwls 35+ League. His involvement as both a player and referee reflects his commitment to supporting the broader hockey community.
A forward who can also contribute effectively on defense, Julian is recognised for his speed, tenacity, and hockey IQ. Off the rink, Julian remains focused on maintaining his physical conditioning and takes a proactive approach to nutrition through meal-prep cooking.
Looking ahead, he is eager to share the skills and experience gained from his time in Canada by contributing to the Demons Ice Hockey Club next year through both coaching and competitive play.
Assistant Coach: Lachlan Rhodes
Lachlan started off ice skating at a young age, learning on figure skates before moving into Ice Racing for the Olympic Southern Flyers. In 2017, he swapped the race skates for hockey skates and joined the Demons very soon after. Lachlan has played Division 3/4 hockey every year since, helping to take the team to consecutive grand finals in both winter and summer seasons.
This year, Lachlan is looking forward to seeing the young Demons grow and build from their experience of the previous season and ensure that the team has a fun and fantastic time throughout.
Goalie Coach: Bryan MacKenzie
Bryan is originally from Canada, where he played AAA junior hockey. He has played in both the Melbourne Mustangs and Melbourne Ice AIHL teams, and is currently with the Melbourne Mustangs.
He is the goaltender coach for the AWIHL Melbourne Ice team, has coached the Boxall women’s team and is a regular commentator as well!
His coaching philosophy is that if you’re having a good time, you’re learning and getting better. He tries to encourage players to enjoy themselves. Bryan is looking forward to seeing how the players grow and develop their skills throughout the season.
Team Manager: Amanda Elliott
Although I don’t have an ice hockey background myself, I’ve absolutely loved watching my sons, Connor and Owen, play, and I’m slowly getting to know this exciting sport – even if I can’t always say I know exactly what’s happening on the ice! What I do know is how rewarding it is to be part of a strong team community and to support the players as they grow, learn, and build their confidence.
Outside the rink, I’m a teacher, a book lover, and a devoted dog lover. My family and I foster dogs while they wait to find their forever homes, which brings so much joy (and plenty of puppy cuddles!) into our lives.
This season, I’m looking forward to supporting the team, celebrating their progress, and enjoying every moment – on and off the ice. Let’s make it a great year!
Schedule / Fixture
The fixture will be shared when available.
Below is a summary of the training schedule:
- Training details will be released soon.
More training times will be announced soon.