Noga, Ross

TO MANAGE THE ADELAIDE AVALANCHE IN 1999, Steve Oddy and Jim Thilthorpe chose a 35 year-old native of Vancouver who had arrived here in 1993 married to an Australian. He was accountable for the international signings and the day-to-day operations of the Club such as travel arrangements, training and meeting scheduling, and sponsorship. He was also focused on continuing the relationship between the Club and the Junior Development Program which was the breeding ground for future Avalanche players.

There were five development players in the 2000 squad, all 18 or 19 years-old: Henry Keane, Jarrad Chester, Scott Chandler, Duncan Lecornu and Ryan Murray. They all benefited from a few games in the new League and they all played international tournaments. [622] The co-founders of the Adelaide club were grateful. In 2016, Steve Oddy said publicly, "Jim (Thilthorpe) and I will never forget what you did for the Avalanche, Ross. Without you, the team would have folded after the first year. You are a legend".

Noga was born in 1964 in North Vancouver. A player, coach, administrator and referee, he helped bring 3 Goodall Cups to Adelaide in 1997, 2000, and 2001; managed the National Junior Team between 2002 and 2007; and the Mighty Roos between 2008 and 2013. [621] He received three gold medals in World Championships — the first in Bulgaria in 2004 as manager of the U20 Division 3 team; the win and promotion to Division 1 in Newcastle in 2008 as manager of the National senior men's team; and then again in Melbourne in 2011. [621] He signed-off his address in the Avalanche program in the inaugural year of the AIHL with, 'As the late Bob (Badger) Johnson used to say, "It's a great day for hockey." And that's how he finished this interview with theaihl.com on his retirement after 21 years in the game.