GB SQUAD FOR LATVIA
January 26, 2013
Ice Hockey UK press release
Great Britain head coach Tony Hand has named his 22-man squad ahead of next month’s Olympic final qualifiers in Riga, Latvia.
GB, who won the gold medal in the 1936 Winter Olympics in Germany, travel to Latvia for a four-team tournament (Group E) from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th February 2013.
Tony Hand’s side - who are ranked 21st in the world - will face the hosts Latvia on 7th February (seeded 11th). They will then play 14th-seed France followed by Kazakhstan (17th).
The winner of the tournament will progress through to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Hand said: “I believe this is a very competitive squad and one of the most talented GB squads I have ever known.
“We are going to Latvia as the underdogs and I am sure most people in the ice hockey world don’t expect us to qualify.
“But this is the most close-knit squad I have worked with and they believe in their own abilities.
“There is no doubting that it is going to be tough but we are going out there and will do Great Britain proud.
“As with the trip to Japan for the pre-qualifiers, some quality players have been left out. But many of them are amongst the reserves and we can call upon them if need-be.
“Stephen Murphy picked up an injury playing for Belfast but he is on the mend and we are very hopeful he will be fit.
“If he does not prove his fitness, there are two capable netminders on the reserve list to choose from.”
GB SQUAD
Netminders
Ben Bowns Hull Stingrays
Stephen Murphy Belfast Giants
Defencemen
Danny Meyers Sheffield Steelers
Ben O’Connor Arlan Kokshetau
Dave Phillips Belfast Giants
Mark Richardson Cardiff Devils
Rod Sarich Sheffield Steelers
Mark Thomas Sheffield Steelers
Jonathan Weaver Nottingham Panthers
Forwards
David Clarke Nottingham Panthers
Robert Dowd Troja-Ljungby
Robert Farmer Braehead Clan
Mark Garside Belfast Giants
Jason Hewitt Sheffield Steelers
Phil Hill Cardiff Devils
Robert Lachowicz Nottingham Panthers
Matthew Myers Nottingham Panthers
Greg Owen Basingstoke Bison
Craig Peacock Belfast Giants
Jonathan Phillips Sheffield Steelers
Colin Shields Belfast Giants
Ashley Tait Sheffield Steelers
Reserves
Stevie Lyle Basingstoke Bison
Geoff Woolhouse Sheffield Steelers
Stevie Lee Nottingham Panthers
Kevin Phillips Braehead Clan
Russ Cowley Coventry Blaze
Ben Davies Cardiff Devils
Matty Davies Hull Stingrays
Leigh Jamieson Milton Keynes Lightning
Aaron Nell Swindon Wildcats
