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Thompson wants best Brits in GB line-up

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Great Britain Ice Hockey Head Coach Paul Thompson today confirmed that he has asked three of the country’s best British players to re-join the National Team Programme ahead of next spring’s World Championships in Slovenia.

Manchester Phoenix Player Coach Tony Hand and Newcastle Vipers players, David Longstaff and Shaun Johnson haven’t appeared in a GB uniform for a number of seasons and Thompson has made it one of his top priorities to bring them back into the fold.

 “These guys are not just going to walk back into the programme because I phone them,” said Thompson, “but knowing all three of them well, I do know that they all care for the GB shirt and they all have great memories of times with the national team. I want to provide a professional set up where we are fully prepared and focussed on winning and by doing that I know it will play a big part in luring our top stars back into a national team jersey. That’s basically the message I have given them this week.”

 Thompson added, “Tony has a natural gift that he shouldn’t hide away.  He belongs at the forefront of what we are trying to do. The same applies to David.  He can dominate any game he chooses to play in and I want him playing for me in a Great Britain shirt.”

 On Shaun Johnson, Thompson noted, “I worked with Shuggy for four years at Coventry and have seen him continue that excellent work with Newcastle.  He would without doubt be a huge asset to the national team.”

 The GB supreme concluded, “I will do all that I can to persuade them that this programme is moving forward and is committed to continually improving our status in world hockey.  Together we can achieve the goal we all share, one of winning for Great Britain.”