Deakan Fielder’s selection in the Great Britain U16 squad has offered him the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The young defenseman will join GB in Madrid from 1st to 3rd April to compete against hosts Spain, as well as France, Germany, Poland and Hungary.
His dad, Dave Fielder, played for the Great Britain U16 team in 1991 – and was delighted to hear of his son’s call-up to the national side.
He said: “We heard the news by email a few days ago and the whole house erupted. It was a big surprise, but he has worked so hard for this over the years.
“I’m hoping to get the whole family over to Spain. It should be the first step towards a long career in the game for him and hopefully achieve his ambition to play for Telford Tigers.
“The fact I played for GB at his age makes it all the more special. I remember what a huge honour it was to represent my country, and I can’t wait for Deakan to experience that.”
Deakan, who attends the Okanagan Ice Hockey Academy in Swindon, represented the South West regional team, as well as England U16, earlier this season.
The tournament will provide an ideal opportunity for GB’s up-and-coming stars to gain valuable international experience.
Head Coach Robert Wilkinson, said: “I think we have selected a really good team and we’re all really looking forward to Madrid.
“This year has been a steep learning curve for the under-16 players. Now we have our team we’re just excited to get going.
“With some of the players who would’ve made the trip representing the Under-18s, it opens the door for some younger players.
“This is a great chance for them to experience an international tournament.”
Ice Hockey UK General Secretary, Andy French, said: “These are very exciting times to have an under-16s side playing in an international tournament.
“This will be of great benefit for the Great Britain programme and will start them on the process to IIHF World Championship tournaments.”
GB U16 SQUAD
Netminders
Lewis Davies – Cardiff
Andrew Wright – Dundee
Defence
Ed Bradley – CIH Academy
Callum Burnett – Slough
Reece Cochrane – Kirkcaldy
Deaken Fielder – Okanagan UK
Joe Hazeldine – Nottingham
Liam Redwood – Nottingham
Forwards
Mason Biddulph – Chelmsford
Jordan Buesa – Toronto Titans
Kieron Brown – Iowa Wild
Lewis English – Slough
Lewis Houston – Solway
Ruairi Lockerbie – Solway
Jamie Ord – Whitley Bay
Michael Power – Okanagan UK
Caly Robertson – Kirkcaldy
Garry Simpson – Kirkcaldy
Aidan Strangeway – Notre Dame
Finlay Ulrick – Sheffield
