Player Spotlight | Adam Harper

Born in Port Alberni, BC, Adam Harper is a duel sport high performance athlete in both hockey and lacrosse. While that is nothing out of the ordinary, where he is doing it is - in Melbourne, Australia.

Adam and his family moved to in Melbourne in December of 2016. But for Grade 11 he returned to Canada and spent the North American school year and hockey season studying at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy (PCHA) and competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). 

Prior to returning 'home' to play hockey, Adam represented the Australian State of Victoria at the Nationals at the U13, U15, and U18 levels. Impressive as that is alone, he did the same in field lacrosse sharpening his skills at Altona Lacrosse Club before being selected to the U15 and U18 State teams. Prior to playing for the Altona Lacrosse Club, Adam only played a bit of lacrosse in Port Alberni between the ages of 6-8 years old.

[PHOTO: Adam playing for the Alberni Valley Minor Lacrosse Association.]

Adam's main crash-course in box lacrosse came at 2022 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Winnipeg, MB at the Canada Life Centre - an National Hockey League arena. At the 2022 World Juniors, Adam played all four games of the tournament, mainly on defence, playing agains the United States, Canada, Israel, and Poland. 

In 2024 during the process to obtain his full Australian citizenship, Adam needed to stay in the country. This meant forgoing his Grade 12 year at PCHA. Ultimately, as one door closed another would open and Adam would be faced with an exciting new opportunity - playing professional hockey! 

[PHOTO: Adam Harper playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League, 2024 Regular Season, against the Adelaide Adrenaline.]

As an 18 year old, now standing at 6'2" and weighing 185 lbs, Adam played his first professional season of hockey in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) for the Melbourne Mustangs; they finishing the 2024 Regular Season with 13 Wins, 14 Losses, 2 Overtime Wins, and 1 Overtime Loss. In his rookie season Adam played 20 Games and was assessed 28 Minutes in Penalties (2024 AIHL Stats). The Mustangs named Adam 'Most Improved Player' during the 2024 Season. Not bad for an 18 year old playing on the team that won the Goodall Cup the previous season - which is the AIHL Championship. 

[PHOTO: Adam Harper chasing down a puck against the Sydney Bears.]

Adam and his Mustang teammates hit the ice again in April to open their 2025 AIHL Regular Season against the Central Coast Rhinos at the O'Brien Icehouse in Melbourne, VIC.

After that, and depending on how far the Mustangs push into the 2025 AIHL Playoffs, as a 2006 born player Adam has 3 more years to play at the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship. 

Currently, Adam is playing for the Melbourne Storm at the 2025 IIJL Commonwealth Cup, and will likely be named to the Australian All-Star Team that will play in the Final against Canada. Games are live on the Victoria Box Lacrosse YouTube Page (click here).