During the off-season, the AIHL held its
AGM where four board positions were filled following the retirement of three members. Chairman, Tim Frampton, was re-elected. The AGM agenda included the new stadium for Melbourne, scheduling, sponsorship, and referee management for the 2010 season. Other topics included
IHA relations and a proposed new team from
Brisbane. The AIHL Bears renamed to the Sydney Bears. The team was previously known as the Sydney Bears between 1997 and 2007. In January, the AIHL released the season schedule. Seven teams would compete in eighty-four matches between April and August. The opening round of the season would kick off on the
Anzac Day Weekend. In February, the new ice sports stadium in
Melbourne was opened. Named the
Icehouse, the new stadium boasts two Olympic-sized ice rinks and is the third rink in Australia to be fully glassed. The new facility is the home of the
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia. In late February it was announced the
Melbourne Ice would relocate to the new stadium in
Docklands from the Olympic Ice Skating Centre,
Oakleigh South. In March, the AIHL announced a change to how the Finals host would be selected. Rather than a combined member and board vote, the hosting rights would be put up for open tender. The League also welcomed back the
Goodall Cup after a one year absence. Ice Hockey Australia made the request for the league to take back the Cup and the organisation voted to restore the Goodall Cup as the Championship winning prize for the AIHL. The newly minted AIHL Champions Trophy was renamed and re-purposed by the AIHL to become the
H Newman Reid Trophy and would be handed to the regular season premiers. 2009 AIHL Champions, the
Adelaide Adrenaline, were etched into the Goodall Cup. AIHL Vice President Joshua Puls tendered his resignation citing an over commitment with Victoria's disadvantaged communities and a perceived conflict of interest after accepting an appointment as Patron of the Melbourne Ice as his reasons for the decision. The
Sydney Ice Dogs also announced the launch of Ice Dogs TV featuring highlights from 2010 Ice Dogs home games as well as player interviews and other content. In July, the league announced the new
Melbourne Icehouse had been selected from the tender and would be the host venue for the 2010 Finals series. ==Regular season==