15U is open to both male and female players who are a maximum of 15 years old as at 31 December in the hockey year. In 2026, the division is open to those born in 2011 & 2012, and younger players, if deemed suitable, as per IHV rules and policies. Players born in 2013 who have been assessed as having suitable skills and experience may apply to “play up” from the 13U division at the club’s discretion.
15U is classified as modified checking and slap shots (stick above the knee) are permitted.
On-ice Training will take place on Thursdays at O’Brien Icehouse (OBI) from 5-6 pm and will be held alongside the 17U Demons Mustangs High Performance Junior Program. Adrian McMillian will be heading up the 15U program, leveraging the experience and tools provided by the Melbourne Mustangs coaches to develop our 15Us to be ready and capable of playing at the next level.
Our 15U team will be managed by the very capable and experienced Geraldine Major, who will be your “go to” for all things team-related.
This year, we have submitted an EOI for our 15U team into the Next Gen tournament at IceHQ (April 11-14) as part of our pre-season preparation.
Watch this space for details of our upcoming comprehensive checking program for season preparation.
15u Team Staff
Head Coach: Adrian McMillian
Adrian brings extensive coaching experience and a genuine passion for developing hockey at all levels. Originally from South Australia, he recently moved to Melbourne and quickly became an active part of the Victorian hockey community. He is a Level 2 coach currently completing his IIHF Level 3 and has also completed the national officiating course.
With a strong commitment to junior development, Adrian has coached across grassroots programs, including Head coaching the 2023 and 2024 SA Ginsberg Teams and being a player/Assistant Coach in the 2023 SA Browns team, alongside his own playing experience in the SA Premier League.
Between 2021 and 2024, he fostered international success, earning gold medals at tournaments in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea.
His background also includes coaching at the McCrae Williamson Jamboree, running the SA learn how to play program 2020-2024 & Junior Development Camp coach in 2024, and helping establish the IHSA High Performance Program.
Since arriving in Melbourne, Adrian has supported DeFris, senior and junior programs, and even taking on commentating during IHV’s Coverage of the 2025 junior grand finals. Inspired by his uncle, John Botterill, an Australian coach and player, Adrian is committed to giving back to the sport and creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes across the country.
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: Matt Hochmann
Entering his fifth season with the Melbourne Demons Premier A team, Matt Hochmann brings extensive playing experience and strong leadership to the 15U coaching staff. Serving as an Alternate Captain in the 2025 season, he has become a core figure within the club both on and off the ice.
Matt is also an active committee member, dedicated to lifting the professional standards of the Demons and helping the club lead the way within Ice Hockey Victoria. His work behind the scenes has been central to the club’s growth in culture, media, and player development.
His playing résumé includes multiple Victorian state team appearances, most recently winning gold in 2024 with the Victorian Browns. Matt has also competed in the Australian Junior Ice Hockey League, with AJIHL appearances in both 2019 and 2024, giving him a strong understanding of high-performance junior pathways.
As Assistant Coach, Matt is committed to guiding young athletes in their development, building skills, confidence, and game understanding, while fostering a positive, competitive, and team-first environment.
Assistant Coach: Adam Harper
Adam Harper brings a strong blend of experience, leadership, and on-ice knowledge to the 15U Demons coaching team.
Currently playing for the Melbourne Mustangs and Demons Premier A, Adam has represented Victoria across multiple national tournaments, including Ginsberg, Defris, Tange, and Browns. He previously served as the defensive coach for last year’s Tange team and has been involved in coaching junior athletes for several years.
Having started hockey at just four years old and now stepping into the role of Head Coach for the Wolves Women’s Summer team, Adam is committed to developing young players through a supportive, skills-focused, and team-first approach.
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: Geraldine Major
As an ex-ice hockey player, I love being able to give back to this sport that I once truly enjoyed. Watching the team my son is a part of grow and develop has been incredibly rewarding.
Even more so, I love working with a group of amazing people who make a positive impact on the juniors’ lives. Outside of ice hockey, I am an accountant, dance mum and spend time training in martial arts. Next season I am looking forward to…” watching our team step up in 15U to continue to develop and grow.”
Schedule / Fixture
The fixture will be shared when available.
Below is a summary of the training schedule:
- Thursdays 5-6pm – OBI – On-ice training
More training times will be announced soon.