Four players who ice for the Junior Solway Sharks are delighted to have been selected to play for Scotland Under 19s at the showcase opening game of the National Conference Tournament, being held in Sheffield this month. Netminder Kyle Johnston, and forwards Daniel Abercrombie, Scott Henderson and Lewis Houston are all proud to have been chosen from players across the whole of Scotland.
The annual England v Scotland Under 19 game is one of the highlights of the EIHA’s Conference Tournament weekend, and the boys are delighted that their efforts over a series of stringent trials and training games have paid off, and are thrilled to have been successful. This game has now become an annual favourite, and last year the England U19’s put-up a great performance against Scotland, the game ending in narrow defeat for the Scots after a penalty-shootout.
Solway Club Chair Justine McCuaig said, “Everyone at the club is extremely proud of all of these players. They all train hard and play well for their club, and have competed against the best players in the country to earn their place in the Scotland squads. They all show great dedication to their sport, training with the national squad in addition to training and playing with the Junior Sharks, and the Senior team, and they all deserve to be very proud of themselves. Everyone at the club is immensely proud of the lads, and hope they lead the Scottish U19s team to victory over the auld enemy. Every one of them is proud to pull on the national team shirt.”
Solway coach Jamie Kerr commented, “These are four well-deserved selections. Kyle has had a frustrating season with injury, but his previous performances and what he has produced when able this season will give the English forwards some headaches trying to get the puck past him. Daniel has improved consistently since coming to the Sharks last year, and his blistering speed and fast hands will see him cause the English defence issues. Scott’s ever improving play coupled with his strong, powerful athletic approach, along with his eye for goal, will see him looking to notch a point or two. Lewis will be the youngest talent in the team playing up from the u17 team, but his dynamic play and mature hockey sense will see him demonstrate the ability to produce something special when under pressure.
Our Solway lads all offer something different that the coaching team can utilise to hopefully upset England.”
Also heading off to Sheffield to represent Scotland in the Conference competition are Kieran Hair, who joins Lewis Houston playing for the Under 17s, and Liam Stenton, who is playing for the Under 15s team.
