Best for GB

BRACKNELL UK – Bracknell Bees’ forward Callum Best is having a week to remember. Not only does he celebrate his 18th birthday today (Saturday) but he’s been called up to the Great Britain Under-18s for the World Championships.

Callum said: “Making the team is great. I have played for England at previous ages but this is the biggest yet. I will be looking forward to playing against some of the top players of my age.” He will be playing for Team GB in Group 1b in Poland this April, facing Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Poland.

Bracknell Head Coach Claude Dumas, said: “Since arriving in Bracknell, Callum has impressed everyone with his tenacious play, his positive attitude and team spirit, scoring 4 goals and picking up 2 assists in 15 games – his first ever points in senior ice hockey. He has an excellent raw talent but always listens to and acts on the advice of his experienced team mates. Everyone in the dressing room and on the bench is really pleased for him and he thoroughly deserves his selection. He’s a great kid, with a great future ahead of him.”

Callum is hoping his good news will rub off on his Bees team mates as they look to win their third game in a row tonight (Saturday). After beating the Scimitars 3-2 last week, they have the chance to beat them again tonight.   Callum said: “Being selected will definitely give me more confidence, on and off the puck. We have beaten Sheffield the last couple of games and last week was a good win. But they are a tough hard working team with lots of young talent so we will have to work hard to get the win.”

Bracknell are beginning to find some much-overdue form after winning back-to-back games, and haven’t lost since the 11-2 mauling in Peterborough on January 2. Their recent good form is vital, following a bad run of results last month. In December, the Bees only managed one win, and lost four league games in a row. Best continued: “We had a bit of a bad slump in December, but we are now on a roll after winning the last couple of games so hopefully we can carry this on into the weekend.”

The Bees will travel to Milton Keynes on Sunday for the second game of the weekend. Bracknell have already beaten the Lightning this season, but have also suffered defeat on three occasions. Milton Keynes are currently top of the English Premier League, and have the best defence in the league, having only conceded 78 goals this season. Comment on this story: Comment@Prohockeynews.com