Thompson names squad for GB Internationals

Great Britain Head Coach, Paul Thompson has today confirmed that he has named a squad of 28 players for when the national team takes on Netherlands in two internationals on 9^th April (Nottingham NIC, Face Off 7pm) and 10^th April (Hull Arena, Face Off 4pm).  After the two games he will name the final party of 23 to represent Great Britain in the forthcoming World Championships in Kiev, Ukraine.

Thompson has named a squad of three netminders, nine defencemen and sixteen forwards for the Netherlands games although Ben Bowns, David Longstaff and David Phillips will only join up with the squad when they have completed their domestic seasons.  Belfast Giants’ forward, Mark Garside has been forced to withdraw from the squad through a shoulder injury.

“Every time I have to reduce the squad, the decisions become harder and harder,” said Thompson.  “This is the best squad of players we’ve had to work with for a long time and it’s going to be a really tough job to select the final 23 to go to Kiev.

“The two warm up games against the Netherlands are going to be so important for my coaching staff and the players as it’s the last chance for us to take a look at a group of guys who are going to be doing all they can to impress us and make the plane to Kiev.  Now we want the British hockey nation to get behind them and cheer us on at one of the games, either in Nottingham or Hull.”

Netminders – Ben Bowns (Sheffield Steeldogs), Nathan Craze, Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants)

Defencemen – Russell Cowley, Jonathan Weaver (Coventry Blaze), Danny Meyers, Corey Neilson (Nottingham Panthers), Ben O’Connor (Morzine, France), David Phillips (Toledo Walleye, USA), Kevin Phillips (Braehead Clan), Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils), Mark Thomas (Sheffield Steelers)

Forwards – David Clarke, Robert Lachowicz, Matthew Myers (Nottingham Panthers), Robert Dowd, Jason Hewitt, Jonathan Phillips, Ashley Tait (Sheffield Steelers), Robert Farmer, Greg Owen (Coventry Blaze), Phil Hill (Cardiff Devils), Brent Hughes (Dundee Stars), Jeff Hutchins (Edinburgh Capitals), David Longstaff (Guildford Flames), Lee Mitchell (Hull Stingrays), Craig Peacock, Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)

Tickets for both games against the Netherlands are on sale now and are discounted until April 4^th.

If purchased in advance, tickets for both games are priced at £12 adult, £8 student/OAP, under 16’s £5 and £30 family ticket (From 9am on Monday 4^th April tickets go up to £15 adult, £10 student/OAP, under 16’s £7 and £38 for a family ticket.

For the GB Vs Netherlands in Nottingham (9th April): Tickets can be purchased via the 24hr ticket hotline on 08444 124 624, online via the Capital FM Arena website or in person at their Box Office, Bolero Square, The Lace Market, Nottingham

For GB Vs Netherlands in Hull (10th April): Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Ticket Hotline: 0845 116 6677 . Tickets will also be on sale at Hull Stingrays remaining home games this season and also from the Great Britain Supporters Club Table at the end of season Play Off Finals in Nottingham.

Tickets will also be available from both venues on the day of the game.

Saturday 9th April 2011 - Team GB Vs Netherlands - Capital FM Arena - Face Off 7.00pm
Sunday 10th April 2011 - Team GB Vs Netherlands - Hull Ice Arena - Face Off 4.00pm