ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN – The GB University men’s team are settling into life at their base in Almaty, Kazakhstan and can’t wait to face Canada in their next game at the Universiade 2017.
GB v Slovakia – Photo courtesy of https://almaty2017.com
It was a long trip for the 22 man squad who flew out to the Central Asian country last week, but certainly an experience. A flight from Birmingham to Almaty via Istanbul, took around 19 hours but it was all worth it thanks to the welcoming reception they received when they landed.
‘We came out in the airport and were met by TV cameras and lots of smiling faces’ said defenseman Chris Cooke.
‘Some of us have never travelled outside of Europe so it was always going to be interesting coming to Kazakhstan but it was a great experience to be welcomed like that and the locals were really happy to see us.’
The team had practiced twice before leaving the UK and consist of students from across the country, many of whom play league hockey for clubs in the second, third and fourth tier of British hockey. Since arriving they have been able to practice every day in the excellent facilities the Universiade has laid on.
‘The facilities are incredible’ admits Cooke, who normally ices for Streatham IHC in London.
‘The village has everything you need with a gym, swimming pool complete with saunas, steam rooms and even a games room. The Halyk Arena itself is one of the best we have seen. It has a 4,000 capacity and the locker rooms are a glimpse into what professional hockey players get at much higher levels than us.’
‘There is also a practice rink next door with two pads in it so it’s fair to say the boys are pretty pleased with the facilities all round.’
Lining up for the Universiade – Photo courtesy of https://almaty2017.com
The GB team certainly found their opening game a tough one. Indeed expectations of success are realistically low given they are in a group with Slovakia, Canada and the USA, all of whom have players currently playing at a much higher standard of hockey in their homelands. An opening game 9-0 defeat against the Slovaks just reinforced the challenge the team faces to compete, however Cooke believes they performed better than the score line suggests.
‘The aim is to be competitive in every game’ he explains.
‘They had a few Extraliga and Slovak division 2 players so we made sure we concentrated on the basics in our preparation. Defensive zone coverage and our fore-check were areas Matt (Coach Matt Bradbury) got us to focus on.’
‘Basically we wanted to limit their chances and close them down where we could and I thought we skated with them well and the end score line was a bit harsh on us.’
On the ice things don’t get any easier with the highly fancied Canadians up next on Wednesday. Even though it’s a daunting task, any British hockey player cannot fail to get excited about matching up against such a renowned hockey nation, and Cooke and his team mates are no different.
Impressive opening ceremony and friendy locals in Almaty – photo courtesy of https://almaty2017.com
‘All the boys are pumped to play against Canada’ admits the St Marys University student.
‘It’s not every day you get to play against a top hockey nation and their guys have all played major junior or pro and have a couple of draft picks on their roster. We are all mixed in with them in the athletes’ village and to be honest we watched them train and they all look sharp.’
‘Additionally they are rather large humans so it’s going to be a physical test for us as much as anything else.’
Life in the Universiade village is also something the team have been getting used to, including a regular unique daily breakfast of rice pudding and roast vegetables. The team are served traditional Kazakh cuisine along with Central Asian and Mediterranean style dishes.
‘Some of the lads are gagging for a pizza or something a little different’ admits Cooke laughing.
‘It’s an interesting experience as the village is overlooked by mountains, there are security guards with guns and we have of course brought our two touch ball and pack of cards for entertainment. Everyone has been really impressed with the hospitality so far’
Dan Rose, Chris Cooke and Alex Sampford with Ivan Antonov in background.
The first Universiade took place in 1959 and the next one will take place in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. GB University Men’s ice hockey team will be looking to give a good impression this time round and hopefully be a permanent fixture at future competitions to come. Check out the official website HERE
GB Squad, Almaty 2017 – Ice Hockey (Men)
James Scott – Sheffield Hallam, Lucas Branin – University of Tampa, Montgomer Gailer – Oxford Brookes, Ivan Antonov – Royal Holloway University of London, Joseph Aston – Nottingham Trent University, Thomas Hovell – Nottingham Trent University, Christian Johnson – University of Aberdeen, Thomas Parkinson – Leeds Beckett University, Adam Long – Anglia Ruskin UCP, Matthew Croyle – Sheffield Hallam University, Alexander Sampford – Surrey, Jackson Price – Cardiff Metropolitan University, Liam Charnock – Sheffield Hallam University, Michael Mawer – Sheffield Hallam University, Andreas Siagris – Imperial College of London, Daniel Rose – St Marys, Christopher Fox – University College London, Stuart Mogg – Southampton Solent University, Elliott Dewey – University of Portsmouth, Joseph Gretton – Nottingham Trent University, Samuel Cheema – Kingston University, Christopher Cooke – St Marys.
Staff: Andrew Miller – Team Manager, Matt Bradbury – Head Coach, Simon Hopkins – Asst Coach, Andrew Marshall – Equipment Manager / Fitness Coach
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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