The reality of the Australian Ice Hockey League for North American imports is often stark: small-time sport, played for the most part in converted warehouses on tricky ice surfaces with quirky nuance rules and little to no practice time.

So for a then 28-year-old former NHL draftee, the path to 100 AIHL games wasn’t even one Ben Breault saw coming when he first touched down in Perth.

“To be honest, when I first landed in Perth four years ago, I never really thought I would still be here now,” Breault said after his 100th game on Sunday. “But, here I am, 100 games and four years later still rocking the Thunder colours, which I am extremely proud of.

“To top it all off, my 100th game turned out to be an absolute nail biter where we had to win.”

The circumstances around Breault’s 100th game could not have been more dramatic; a game on the road against a team fighting for the same finals position, trailing 2-0, a five-minute penalty kill while trailing, then a late goal to win all heightened the drama around an already important clash.

“The intensity level in the last five minutes was so high, and to have scored the game winning goal with only 37 seconds left was under all of those circumstances is pretty awesome,” Breault said. “Although I do have to give huge credit on the move Jamie Woodman pulled on the defender by putting the puck between his legs prior to my goal.”

The gravity of the win wasn’t lost on Breault, as the Thunder registered their fifth win in six games, moving from seventh in the standings to six points clear in fourth ahead of a pair of must-win clashes with the Sydney Ice Dogs.

“I’m really looking forward to these important games, they are the best ones to be a part of,” said an excited Breault. “We have created a gap between fourth and fifth on the ladder, but the truth is, every game we have left will be crucial because they are all against teams we are battling with for a playoff spot.”

Breault became the tenth player to reach 100 games for the Thunder, and the teams all-time leader in points (175) said it was his treatment from the fans and organisation that made it certain he would hang around in Western Australia as long as he could.

“I have been treated so well by the organisation; the players, volunteers, management, my employer Chris Dodd (of CD Dodd Scrap Metal) and especially the fans,” Breault said.

Breault is a former winner of the AIHL scoring title and is on track to break not just Thunder, but league records, but when the topic of personal achievement and his legacy as potentially the Thunder’s best-ever player was brought up, Breault’s response was focussed and direct.

“That’s not something I care about,” Breault said. “I just want to win the cup.”

Secure your tickets to see Ben against the Sydney Ice Dogs this weekend, as well as any upcoming home games, by clicking here.