Leeds Knights II youngsters hailed for weekend double before visit of top two
Leeds Knights II head coach Aaron Jordan has praised the “outstanding” form of his teenagers ahead of a tough weekend against league leaders Solihull and second-placed Blackburn.
Hard-fought victories over Deeside and Hull, has seen Jordan’s side rise to fourth in the NIHL 1 table after 11 games.
“Last weekend was an incredible one for us as a group. The way we played against a strong Deeside, was outstanding.” Said Jordan.
“I was so happy with the way our young defenders have been able to adapt to senior hockey since the start of the season. Ben Elliot and Ilan Berman are only 16 and they played a huge role in our success over the weekend.”
Deeside were unbeaten, when they arrived at the Castle, but found themselves on the end of a 5-3 defeat. Five different Knights scored goals, with Ollie Straw, Josh Hartley, Ollie Gotts, Kieran Smitha and Lawrence Dean all getting on the scoresheet.
“It was a real team effort, all three lines contributed and I am delighted with the way they went about it.”
Jordan reserved special praise for Frank O’Sullivan, who was the architect of four of the five goals. “Frank wasn’t quite where he wanted to be at the start of the season, but you can see he is back to doing the things that make him a fantastic hockey player.”
This week 13 of the Knights II squad were invited to Great Britain Under-18 and Under-20 training camps in Sheffield, as well as Under-16s Charlie Butler and Rory Hill.
“To have 15 of our guys at the camp is unreal,” added Jordan. “It really is a pat on the back to the coaches on the junior side of the club, but also to Ryan Aldridge and his willingness to work with our young talent and the ambition he has to develop from within.”