Leeds Knights: Finley Bradon's GB call is latest sign he is maintaining his upward trajectory
WHEN head coach Ryan Aldridge pulled Leeds Knights’ Finley Bradon aside ahead of practice one day last week, he naturally assumed it was to discuss something about his game.
A few moments later he was reflecting on another hockey ambition of his being met after Aldridge had informed him he had been selected for the Great Britain team to contest this week’s European Cup of Nations in Edinburgh.
“It was a total shock to be honest,” admitted Bradon. “I had practice then I had a few phone calls to make to parents and others.
“Like I say, it was a shock but one I’m over the moon about. I’m honoured and just excited to go and see what I can do.”
Bradon is one of eight first-timers to be called into the GB squad, a situation made possible partly because of the unavailability of some of GB’s most experienced players, who have club commitments, mainly in the Elite League.
But that should not detract from the achievement of being called up.
Just as in November when head coach Pete Russell had other first-time call-ups at his disposal for the first ECN tournament in Poland, it shows who is on the programme’s radar looking into the near-future as an ageing roster which has achieved so much in the past eight years comes towards the end of its time.
GB needs to be bringing more players through and Bradon is clearly part of that ‘next generation’ group of players.
It should come as no surprise given his performances for the Knights this season, one which has seen him build on the huge progress he made in 2024-25 when he posted 72 points - including 31 goals - in 61 league, Cup and play-off games.
This year has seen him keep up with that kind of output with 17 goals and 21 assists in 40 league and Cup appearances.
Centering a highly-effective and trusted third line with Oli Endicott and Innes Gallacher alongside him, Bradon - who has previously represented GB at Under-18s and Under-20s - has become a key player for the Knights in all situations.
“Something like this is always the goal and having gone through 18s and 20s, I knew it was possible,” he added. “But to be honest, I didn’t expect to be going this early - even in the next couple of years I didn’t expect it.
“But it’s good that they are giving a few young guys a chance, luckily I’m one of them so I just need to go and show what I can do I guess.
“Even if it is just this one time for now, maybe it means I’m under consideration for the future, which is ultimately what I want.
“It’s nice to know that you’re on their radar and that people know about you and what you are doing at your team.”
Bradon feels his call-up is a result of the improvements he has made in recent months.
“This season, I feel like maybe my points have slowed down slightly but that I’ve built up in other areas that help the team,” he explained.
“It’s more the defensive side of my game but also more the fact that I think Ryan can put me on the ice in different situations that maybe he wouldn’t have before, such as special teams.
“Before, maybe I wouldn’t have been first-choice for that sort of thing, but I feel like I am now, which is a great feeling.
“Hopefully, I can go and show I’ve got a bit about myself and eventually - if not at this moment in time - if I can hold my own at that level, who knows what the future holds?
“I’d like to be in the GB programme for as long as I’m playing so, hopefully, I can give a little insight into what I’m capable of this time and see where it goes from there.”
With Bradon’s call-up, it brings the question as to how far his lime-mates might be behind him, given their contributions and development in the past 18 months.
Aldridge was understandably delighted to give Bradon the good news last week, believing his call-up was two months late.
“To be honest, I thought he should have been in the squad for that first tournament,” said the Knights’; boss. “It’s fully deserved. He’s the type of kid that could walk in there with the right attitude, the right level of confidence and he’ll give himself the best opportunity.
“He’s a modest lad and his game has come on again this year. This is something he probably needs, another little push.
“He’s still a young lad but he plays a massive role in our team. Every year he’s getting more and more confidence, more and more experience under his belt. This will only help that.”