The team is comprised of Under-23 aged players from around the country, who are the future of the NZIHL, along with current NZIHL veterans you all know and love, who will act as mentors for the younger players.

The mentor players will rotate throughout the season, so not everyone on this list will be involved in every game.

Mentor players will still play with their normal team, but have been included with the Auckland Mako based on their playing ability, leadership, and involvement in ice hockey in New Zealand.

Mentor players explained:

If a mentor player normally plays for the Dunedin Thunder, and the Dunedin Thunder play against the Auckland Mako, then the Dunedin mentor player will play for the Dunedin Thunder instead of the Auckland Mako; the mentor player will be replaced by another mentor player from a different region.

Under 23 players explained:

If an under 23 aged player normally plays for the Canterbury Red Devils, and the Canterbury Red Devils play against the Auckland Mako, then the Canterbury Red Devils under 23 aged player will play for the Canterbury Red Devils instead of the Auckland Mako; the under 23 aged player will be replaced by another under 23 aged player from one of the other four NZIHL teams.

In summary: a player (mentor or under 23) will always play for their home NZIHL team first.

NZIHL Participation:

Games that the Auckland Mako play in will not count towards the NZIHL standings. Goals and player statistics will be tracked, but the Auckland Mako will not be eligible for the playoffs. This is because the Auckland Mako play fewer games than the other NZIHL teams and also due to the varied nature of the team roster.