The last major hockey event to take place in the UK before the pandemic was the Men’s 2022 Winter Olympic Qualification tournament, hosted in Nottingham.
Life can often be cyclical and with Korea not able to fulfil their role as hosts due to Covid issues, it’s the UK, specifically Nottingham, who will host the Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualification Round Two.
The four-team tournament will take place from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th October at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre.
Hosts Great Britain will entertain Korea, Slovenia and Iceland.
The group winners will qualify for November’s Final Qualification tournament for next year’s Winter Olympics in China.
The games will take place on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Sunday 10th October.
The tournament schedule and ticket prices will be announced very shortly.
As per the official press release:
Ice Hockey UK Chair, Clifton Wrottesley, said: “We are really excited to be hosting one of the groups in the latest round of Olympic Qualifying.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the National Ice Centre for their support in getting this confirmed in such a short space of time. They’ve really gone above and beyond – and pulled out all the stops to turn this around in such a short space of time.
“This is a massive opportunity to showcase the women’s game and we are thrilled to be hosting it in such a fantastic venue. What a fantastic prospect – being able to support our women on their quest towards the Olympics in Beijing next year and being able to do it on home ice.
“I really hope that every ice hockey fan out there in the UK will be able to come to the arena in Nottingham and cheer on the GB ladies, who I know will be giving it their all to qualify for the next round next month. I’ll be there, I hope to see you all there too.”
Qualification from this group will be no easy task for Great Britain, as they are the third-lowest seeds ranked 24th in the world.
Korea will be strong favourites ranked 17th, Slovenia is ranked one spot above GB at 23rd and Iceland is considered the weakest nation ranked 31st.
Great Britain recently named their roster and there is much to be excited about.
There are five new faces in the GB squad, which has a youthful look with seven teenagers amongst the group.
First full call-ups include goaltender Ella Howard, Ellie Wakeling on defence and forwards Charlotte Harris, Chamonix Jackson and Isabell Whiteley.
Eighteen-year-old Ella Howard is the exciting young netminder who has committed to Calgary University.
Charlotte Harris, 17, has been playing at the Ontario Hockey Academy and there are also sisters on the roster.
Aimee and Chloe Headland (yes their brother Matthew play’s in the NCAA) are both exciting forwards who have represented GB at the U18 before moving on to the women’s full national team.
Both have experience playing overseas, Chloe in the USHS and Aimee most recently with Norwich University in NCAA III.
Casey Traill will perhaps be the most familiar name. She recently made history by becoming the first British player selected in the NWHL draft.
Her experience gained in the NCAA and obvious ability will be key to GB’s success.
Great Britain will also be relying on hugely experienced and established players like Nicole Jackson, Saffron Allen, Sarah Hutchinson, Rachel Cartwright, Louise Adams, Jodie Bloom and Katie Henry.
As per the official press release:
Head coach, Mike Clancy, said: “This is a very exciting squad and we can’t wait to get going.
“Make no mistake about it, this was a tough roster to select and many high-quality players have not made the squad.
“Playing for your country is the highest honour and this being an Olympic competition makes it that extra bit special.”
Reserves
Netminder – Libby Bird
Netminder – Amelia McGinlay
Netminder – Holly Steeples
Defence – Beth Scoon
Defence – Abbie Sylvester
Forward – CJ Ashton
Forward – Abbie Culshaw
Forward – Grace Garbett
Forward – Steph Towns
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