Two of the club’s junior players are once again making their presence felt on the international stage.
Cassie MacGregor has been selected for the women’s U18 Great Britain team and she will be in action this week when Dumfries Ice Bowl hosts the IIHF World Championship from January 21 to 27 with teams from GB, Australia, Latvia, Mexico, Netherlands and Turkey competing.
After a long selection process, Cassie competed against the best players in the UK. She impressed the coaches with her skills and hard work and Cassie is delighted to make the 20 player team.
Great Britain head coach Angela Taylor said: “The recent Four Nations tournament in Poland was great preparation for the Worlds.
“What’s even better is that this roster has just one change, so there is real continuity in the squad.
“We have a talented and mature group of girls on this team and the coaching staff look forward to working with them again. We feel confident in everyone and their ability to contribute.”
Kyle Carruth has been selected to play for the Great Britain U18 as one of the 29 players to take part in a selection camp in December for next year’s World Championship.
Kyle is going from strength to strength in the sport and is hard work and dedication has paid off.
He also helps to coach the younger age group players.
The team will travel to Belgrade, Serbia, for the World Championship Division II Group A from April 16 to 22 competing against teams from Croatia, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia and Spain.
Head coach, Sean Easton, said: “With only a few players remaining in the squad from last year’s team, it’s once again a fresh start and new look team.
“We are down to 25 skaters and four goalies which will be down to team after the three-day camp.
“We will be starting to implement our systems and that will give us a good understanding as a coaching group to be able to see what our final team will look like.
“It’s a big year for a lot of the players. It’s important they get to play senior hockey from now until the next camp to elevate their game to the next level.”
Junior Sharks chairperson Leanne Thomson said: “Being invited to represent Great Britain on the international stage is a huge honour and an opportunity for these players to showcase their talents.
“They have worked hard to ensure they are as prepared as they can be and they both deserve to be very proud of themselves.
“To have players involved at GB level from a relatively small club shows the elite level that players in the local junior club can reach, courtesy of the player progression pathway.
“Both players have progressed through our successful junior programme and their call-ups for GB shows the opportunities available to our young, committed players.
“Everyone at the club is very proud of them and their achievementand we wish them luck.”
Martin Grubb, Solway head coach, said: “As an athlete, representing your country is one or the biggest honours you can get and Cassie has worked really hard and battled through some challenges to make sure she made the team.
“This will be even more special for her and her family as she is playing for Great Britain in a World Championship in her home rink and that truly is a special feeling.
“We are all proud of her and know she will do a great job for her team.
“Kyle has been in the GB programme for a couple of years but when you move up an age group you need to make sure you work even harder as the competition for places intensifies.
“He has improved throughout the season with both the juniors and also his senior experience and that will help him hugely as he progresses to the final selection camp.
