CHELMSFORD Chieftains ice hockey team are celebrating selection of young players for the Great Britain U-18s squad for the World Championships in Poland in April.
Chieftains star James Ayling was called into the main squad along with former Chieftain and Chelmsford junior Liam Chong, now playing at Lake Placid in America.
Sixteen-year-old Aaron Connolly has been selected as one of the reserve players for the Championships.
Ayling (pictured left by Helen Fryer) has produced some outstanding performances this season for the Essex side and his hard work, even when things haven't gone his way on the ice, has paid off with the call from GB head coach Jon Rowbotham informing him of his inclusion.
Ayling said "I am really happy to be in the GB side. When I tried out I knew that there really was the best U-18s players in the UK trying out with me and that I'd have to prove myself against the best. I obviously did that and now I am going to Poland in April with the best players in my age group and it's up to me and the team to go out there and prove to the world that Great Britain can compete against some of the world's elite juniors".
Connolly said "Naturally I am disappointed not to be in the squad, but I will keep working hard and prove myself over the rest of the season and next season and make sure that when the championships come around again they have no choice but to include me. Obviously I don't wish any ill-will on any GB player, but if players drop out and I get the call from Jon, then I'll grab that chance with both hands".
Chieftains head coach Dean Birrell was delighted that two of his players were called up
"It's great honour for those boys to get into the GB team and in the minds of the selectors. There isn't a much higher honour and privilege than representing your country. It proves that Chelmsford ice hockey is on the up and that there is some real talent coming through the junior system here.
“I wish the whole team well, but in particular James and Aaron if he gets called up".
Great Britain will be up against some tough teams in Kazakhstan, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary and hosts Poland. The event starts on 11 April and ends a week later on the 17th in Krynica, Poland.