Leading the North Stars team this year is Garry Dore.

He replaces Don Champagne, the head coach from 2002 to 2011.

Mr Dore has long association with ice hockey, coaching and Newcastle.

The Canadian came to Australia in 1981 to play ice hockey for the Newcastle North Stars in the previous national league, which folded in the same year.

"I stayed and was a player-coach for that team [in NSW Super League] in 1982," Mr Dore said.

"We only played a half season, then the rink shut down."

However, Mr Dore fell in love with Newcastle and a girl named Leanne Copas, and he decided to stay and get married.

They returned to Canada for six months but missed the Novocastrian lifestyle.

When Mr Dore returned to Newcastle he commuted to Sydney to play for the Sydney Bears from 1984 to '86.

When he joined the NSW police force, the travelling was no longer viable, so he turned to his other love - fastball, American men's softball.

For years he played and coached for Newcastle and representative teams.

After a work accident, Mr Dore retired as a police detective.

He then met former surf and swim legend Les Lazarus and became involved with the development of Warners Bay's Hunter Ice Skating Stadium.

When the rink opened in 2000, Mr Dore helped with the management and several years later bought into the business.

The North Stars' first game will be at home April 28.

Ellie-Marie Watts