IIHF World Junior

CLICK HERE TO BUY WEEK PASSES FOR U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN DUMFRIES

Top-class international ice hockey is returning to the UK and week-long tickets are now on sale for the IIHF Under-20 World Championship Division II Group A in Dumfries in December.

GB Under-20s Men will play on home ice at the Dumfries Ice Bowl from 11th to 17th December 2023.

Britain will be joined by Lithuania, Netherlands and Spain, along with promoted China and relegated Korea for the six-team tournament.

A week-long pass costs only £25 and with 15 games throughout the tournament, it works out at a fantastic £1.66 per game.

Children under the age of 16 go free with a paying adult.

It’s another prestigious international ice hockey in the UK and for the town of Dumfries, which regularly receives glowing reports from the IIHF about the standard of the tournaments they hold.

GB U20s won the silver medal at last year’s tournament in Kaunas, which saw them secure four wins in five minutes against beating Lithuania (4-3), Romania (9-0), Netherlands (7-0) and Spain (3-1).

Click here to buy week-long passes for the World Championship in Dumfries.

 

CLICK HERE TO HELP WITH THE FUNDRAISING 

The ice hockey family received news of a sad death this weekend with the loss of 56-year-old Rich, whose son Ed is just embarking on a journey in this great sport of ours.

Rich, partner to Sara for 20 years and father to 24-year-old Joe and 18-year-old Ed, passed away on Sunday of unknown causes.

He was found by Ed, collapsed on the living room floor of the family home. Despite an ambulance being called and Sara performing CPR, nothing could be done to save him.

With Ed due at his first university lecture the very next morning, as well his university ice hockey trials the following night, losing his dad and best friend was the furthest thing from his mind.

Ed not only went to his first lecture and his trials, but made the Nottingham university team for the 2023-24 season in the face of adversity.

Rich was an ice hockey parent and was at every game and practice, travelling to wherever it was needed and even attending those late-night practices that get you home long after midnight.

Anyone who was privileged enough to meet Rich, especially at the side of a rink, instantly warmed to him as he shared his love of his family, stories from his life and how proud he was of Ed’s hockey talent.

A fundraising page has been set-up to support the family in this difficult time. If you wish to donate, click here.

 

Ice Hockey UK are currently developing a six-year strategy to cover the period 2024 to 2030 where unity plays a major part in our aspirations.

Accordingly, as part of the planning process, we will be consulting GB fans as we shape plans for the future.

It’s crucial that supporters have a platform to feedback and have their voices heard as they play a vital part in the success we aim to achieve.

If you’re a GB fan – whether you follow the men’s, women’s, junior teams or all of them – then we want you to have your say.

You’ll find a short questionnaire here. It should take no longer than three minutes to complete. Click here to take part in the survey.

Further to this, as part of the consultation process, we are speaking with Great Britain Supporters’ Club to gather views from their members.

Finally, we will invite five supporters who fill out the questionnaire to take part in a Fans Forum on Zoom with CEO Henry Staelens and Communications Director Tom Manners. This will take place at 7: 30pm on 11th October 2023.

Henry Staelens, Chief Executive Officer at Ice Hockey UK, said: “It’s clear that our GB teams have a passionate and committed fanbase which was evident most recently during the electric atmosphere at IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A in Nottingham.

“As an organisation, we want to harness that brilliant support and listen closely to their feedback. Supporters are as much a part of this journey as anyone and can make a real difference as we look to build an even more successful future.”

We look forward to hearing from your views on all things GB and appreciate your support.

Click here to take part in the survey.

 

Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Partridge as the Head of Performance for the Great Britain national teams.

Partridge, having previously held performance roles at Archery GB and Boccia England, will oversee the talent identification and engagement process for the men’s and women’s teams.

He will also work closely with the GB management and coaching staff on the development and delivery of IHUK’s plans to provide elite level squad coaching and support services to the GB junior and senior players.

Partridge said: “I am delighted to join Ice Hockey UK as the organisation continues its exciting journey towards being a leading ice hockey nation

“Having watched hockey over the years, I know how much it means to the supporters and I look forward to continuing the great work that’s already taken place, whilst supporting the teams to reach their full potential.”

IHUK’s Chief Executive Officer, Henry Staelens, said: “I’d like to personally welcome Andrew on-board to Ice Hockey UK.

“I’m confident he’ll bring a great sense of clarity, innovation and organisation to our performance pathway.

“This is a vital role in ensuring that we support the most exciting GB talent across both the men’s and women’s programmes, and provide them with a world-class environment to train and compete within.”