Why Leeds Knights' youngsters can boost Great Britain U-20s gold medal hopes at IIHF World Championships

RYAN ALDRIDGE has backed his Leeds Knights’ quartet to play their part in helping Great Britain Under-20s bring home gold from the World Championships in Lithuania.
By Phil Harrison
Published 10th Dec 2022, 09:00 BST
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Forwards Carter Hamill, Oliver Endicott and Tate Shudra, along with defenceman Archie Hazeldine, are part of the GB squad that will contest the Division 2A tournament in Kaunas over the next week.

The tournament gets underway for GB tomorrow when they take on the hosts, with further tests to come against Croatia, Netherlands, Romania and Spain.

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Aldridge, a former assistant coach with the GB Under-16 programme before his move to Leeds on an interim basis last season, believes Martin Grubb’s team are capable of taking top spot in the group, an achievement that would seal promotion back to Division 1B.

GOING FOR GOLD: Carter Hamill is one of four Leeds Knights players away with Great Britain Under-20s at this week's World Championships Picture: Oliver Portamento.GOING FOR GOLD: Carter Hamill is one of four Leeds Knights players away with Great Britain Under-20s at this week's World Championships Picture: Oliver Portamento.
GOING FOR GOLD: Carter Hamill is one of four Leeds Knights players away with Great Britain Under-20s at this week's World Championships Picture: Oliver Portamento.

The Knights head coach will be without his four players for this weekend’s NIHL National games against Peterborough Phantoms and Raiders IHC, as well as next Saturday’s home game against Bees IHC.

But he is keen to see all four prosper under the spotlight of an international tournament, Hamill, Endicott and Hazeldine benefitting from winning bronze with the Under-18s in April, while Shudra is called up for the first time.

“We’re going to miss them a lot, our guys,” said Aldridge. “I felt they provided most of our energy against Swindon last Sunday.

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“The way they competed was great and the momentum we did have, was a big part of how they were playing and they did everything but score in that game.

HIGH AIMS: Leeds Knights' Oliver Endicott hopes to bring home a gold medal with GB Under-20s from Lithuania. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeHIGH AIMS: Leeds Knights' Oliver Endicott hopes to bring home a gold medal with GB Under-20s from Lithuania. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
HIGH AIMS: Leeds Knights' Oliver Endicott hopes to bring home a gold medal with GB Under-20s from Lithuania. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“It’s Tate’s first time, but I think he’s playing with Carter, so that will give them both some similarity.

“I believe our boys are going over to add something to that roster and they will be good in the positions and roles they are asked to play by the coaching staff.”

Overall, Aldridge believes the GB team has a realistic chance of finishing first.

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“They do stand a good chance, particularly with Juha Lindgren going in there earlier this week.

“I personally would have had him in the team anyway.

“They are a solid group of hockey players, there’s no doubt about that.

“And with that group of players, if they play as well as they can, they should get gold in that group, or at least have a very good chance at it."

Related topics:Great BritainLeeds KnightsLithuania