Davies in GB prelim squad with Hull team-mate Bowns
Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays pairing of Ben Bowns and Matty Davies have been named in Great Britain’s 32-man preliminary squad for next month’s final Olympic qualifiers in Latvia.
Bowns was a part of the national set-up fighting it out in the pre-qualification tournament in Japan in November.
However, for Davies, an impressive season so far for the Stingrays, posting 30 points (three goals and 27 assists) in 35 games, has seen him with an opportunity to become a major player on the road to the Winter Games. He is currently the sixth highest-scoring British player in the Elite League and also leading Brit for assists.
Davies, who has already represented his country at U18 and U20 level, said: “I was surprised but it was a nice surprise.
“The team did so well getting to this stage so I was not expecting anything. But I am really happy with the call-up and it will be a great experience going to the training camp and being around established GB internationals.
“I have been playing well and working hard for Stingrays this season and I know I need to keep producing. I have played for the U18’s and U20’s and the aim has been to make the senior squad. If I don’t make the 22 this time, I will keep knuckling down and hopefully there will be another opportunity for me.”
Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier said of Davies’ call-up: “Matty deserves the call. He has done a great job for us. He came in this season with something to prove and he has worked very hard and he is getting the reward for that. Matty has grown as a person. He has come a long way. We always knew he had the talent offensively but he has worked hard on his defensive game too.
“Some of the GB players are not getting any younger so in the next few years there are going to be chances for the likes of Matty. He deserves the call and if he makes it to Latvia it would be great. If he doesn’t, then it will be a good experience going to the camp and he is at least on the radar.”
The GB squad will meet for a two-day training camp in Manchester a week on Monday, before head coach, and Manchester Phoenix player-coach, Tony Hand, will name his final 22 shortly afterwards.
Hand said: “The camp will give us a great start in our preparations for Riga. It will not only give us a chance to work on tactics but it will also be a great bonding exercise for the squad.
“By naming a 32-man squad, it gives me chance to look at a number of players who weren’t in the final squad last time. This is also a great exercise for team morale.”
GB will then travel to Latvia on February 6th ahead of the four-team tournament when they will face the hosts, France and Kazakhstan for the final spot.
