THREE Blaze players have been selected as part of Great Britain’s initial 31-man squad ahead of April’s World Championships in Eindhoven and two international fixtures against Poland.
Head coach Pete Russell has announced his squad this week which will be reduced to a final 23-man team in approximately two weeks.
Russell Cowley earns a recall to the squad and is joined by fellow team mates Ashley Tait and former GB Under-20 star James Griffin, who will be aiming to secure his first GB cap.
“Over the last three or so months we have watched a lot of hockey across the leagues and been in contact with lots of different hockey people in the UK, mainland Europe and USA.” said Russell.
“We have the final 31 and it’s the right players and people. They all deserve their place and it’s an exciting group to look at.
“The competition for the final 23 hots up now and that can only be good for every player, as well as each team at this important stage of the season.
“People say it’s a tough job, yes it is, but it’s a great problem as a coach to have good players to select from.
“As the clock ticks down I get more excited each day till April and Eindhoven.”
Great Britain play back-to-back international games against Poland at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on April 9 and at the Skydome in Coventry the following evening.
They then travel to Eindhoven for the World Championship (Division 1B) where they face hosts Netherlands, along with Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania and Korea, from April 13-19.
Russell Cowley is looking forward to this weekend’s Elite League play-off semi-final encounter against Belfast Giants. (s) Photo by Mark Tredgold.
James Griffin will be hoping to make his Great Britain debut next month. (s) Photo by Scott Wiggins
