Leeds Knights forward Finn Bradon has received his first call-up to the Great Britain Men’s Senior Ice Hockey team for the IIHF European Cup Of Nations in Edinburgh this week.
Bradon has 37 points from 38 games with the Knights in the NIHL this season so far and has rightly earned his call-up in the eyes of Leeds Head Coach Ryan Aldridge: “He’s another phenomenal human being: professional, deserves everything he gets.
“I think it’s been a long time coming. I think he should have been in the first game, but it wasn’t to be, so now he gets the chance to prove himself and show what he can do and he deserves it.”
Bradon described how it was his coach who delivered the good news to him: “It was just before practice the other day. Ryan took my outside, he said: ‘You’re going to GB.’ Straight as it was.”
The 20-year-old captained the Great Britain U20s side last season at the IIHF World Championship in Italy and has played alongside Telford Tigers forward Brynley Capps who has also received his first senior call-up.
“I’ve got experience playing internationally, I guess,” he said. “I think it’s a different ball game with the seniors, but I guess being away with the team… I’ve got experience in that so that should help.”
“I like Brynley – we get on well. We’ve played together before, so it’ll be good to hopefully play together again. We know each other well.”
The tournament takes place over three days at Murrayfield Ice Rink with GB hosting Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine.
Bradon continued: “[I’m] buzzing, a little bit nervous as well, but just excited. Going to try and hold my own and see what I can do. Gain as much experience I can. Whatever I play, I play, and hopefully I just hold my own.
“I’ve got my mum and dad coming, I think my uncle’s going to come as well. It’ll be nice to see them, [might] calm me down a bit if I get to see them in the crowd.”
Everyone at the Knights wishes Finn and the rest of the Great Britain the best of luck for the tournament this week.
