Graham, Todd

BORN 9 FEBRUARY 1991 in Sydney, Australia, the son of Terry and Janine Graham, Todd’s father moved the family to Minnesota USA for work when Todd was ten weeks old. He lived in the hockey state until he was seven, then moved back to Australia. He began playing roller hockey competitively in Melbourne before transitioning to ice hockey with friends.

In 2006, the 15-year-old suited up for a few games with the Sharks in the local Victorian league while making his AIHL debut with Melbourne Ice. Touted as “the next big thing” by certain senior officials after Nathan Walker’s initial success overseas, Graham has said, “I was a kid playing with men,” an easy target, tall but thin.

Graham played 13 seasons for his Melbourne club, 205 games, averaging 0.67 points per game from the blue line. He won three successive Goodall Cups with Coach Paul Watson, from 2010 to 12, and again in 2017 under Coach Charles Franzen. His club also won the 2012 Trans Tasman Champions League.

The Melbourne Ice strode the Australian continent for years in the 2010s, generating more loathing than worship. One of a core group of influential players in those years, Graham made the AIHL Finals with the club for ten seasons straight. He was AIHL Finals MVP in 2012, still only 21.

Sebastian Ottosson, the captain of Tranås AIF in Sweden, recalled a 196 cm, 103 kg defenseman who was an excellent protector and strong in the corners. His large frame, particularly his reach, was a considerable advantage. However, larger players often struggle with aggression, as Graham notes, "Even today, I have to work on it constantly." The defenseman was also a respected mentor and role model for the younger players at the club. He was an alternate captain and achieved a total of 100 career points in 2017.

For 11 seasons, Todd Graham chased his dream of playing around the world, spending less than two or three months each year in Melbourne. He joined the Florida Jnr Panthers AA in 2007, Green Mountain Glades in 2008, Valencia Flyers in 2010, Hartford Jr Wolfpack in 2011, and NCAA III while completing a business degree at Buffalo State College between 2013 and 2016. In 2017, he played Motala AIF and Boro/Vetlanda HC in Sweden Div 2 on loan from Tranås AIF in the Swedish HockeyEttan and continued with the latter in 2018. Terry Graham said his son’s perseverance stemmed from his passion for playing hockey at the highest level.

Terry and Janine provided financial support and a taxi service for their son, ensuring he was comfortable when he returned each year at the beginning of the AIHL season. They arranged for him to fly from Coffs Harbour to Melbourne to help him settle in. While they did not pressure their son, they noted they could probably write a book about the challenges faced by an aspiring hockey player from outside the US or Canada trying to find opportunities in those countries. Many leagues have restrictive policies regarding non-North American players due to concerns about an influx of European athletes. Additionally, top scouts often have limited knowledge of players from countries that compete at a lower international level or play below Division 1 college hockey. [2]

Graham represented Australia at the World Under-18 Men Championships twice (07 and 08) and four senior Worlds (2011-14) for a total of 29 games for his country. That produced a Div IIA gold medal in Melbourne in 2011, allowing him to compete in Division 1 in 2012. The defenseman was the Most Penalised Player in 2008 and 2014.

Todd Graham retired from national and international competitions in 2019, at the age of 28.