Great Britain defender Ellin Rees isn’t shy of taking risks and doing what feels right for her hockey career.
Having moved to Canada to further her career, the dream of playing overseas stalled somewhat.
“It was always the dream to play abroad. I knew it would be it be a great experience. I started in Canada but it wasn’t for me.”
It was at that point the then seventeen-year-old took a gamble.
“I reached out to [Head Coach] Sam Cheema and he was good enough to offer me a spot at [Newark] Ironbound.
I didn’t know him before but I knew he was from the UK and was coaching at Newark. I made initial contact by sending him a DM via Instagram. It just turned out really.”
The bold move paid off as Rees enjoyed two seasons with Newark, finishing fourth and third respectively in scoring. Across 97 games, the defender scored 25 goals and 74 points.
The now nineteen-year-old paid tribute to Sam Cheema for developing her all-round game and outlook.
“My hockey IQ has improved a lot. Watching hockey and doing a lot more film than at home. That’s been a huge part of developing my game with Sam.
He’s also helped with my confidence, Sam gave me every opportunity possible, pushed me along and made me the best I can be.”
The whole Newark Ironbound experience had a positive effect and left its mark on the blue liner.
“It’s been the best two years of my life there [Newark]. Hockey-wise and meeting people. It was the best thing for me. Living so close to NY was great. I was lucky enough to find a family I got on with. They’re like a second family to me now so homesickness wasn’t really a huge thing.
I’ll never forget those people and it was just a great experience.”
Having flown back into the UK on Wednesday, enduring a long travel day to meet with the Great Britain squad in Scotland, it says much to the character of Rees that she was still willing to conduct an interview.
The national team is very much on the mind of the teenager who wants team success over any personal landmarks or milestones.
“It would be great [to record my first senior point and goal] but I’m all about winning and just getting that gold medal. We [GB] were unlucky not to get a medal last time [2024]. I think that with the group of girls we have and the coaching staff, we’ll do great this year.”
Along with being team first, thoughts also turn to a chance to play in front of friends and family on home ice.
“My mum is coming to watch so it’ll be great to play in front of her as she hasn’t seen for me a while because I’m playing abroad.
She’s done so much for me and I would not be here, where I am today without her.”
It won’t be the first time representing GB on home ice. Rees captained the U18’s in 2023, though by her admission she’s not someone who barks out orders. The defender leads by example and did in that tournament with a team-high six points (3G/3A), finishing third in tournament scoring amongst all skaters.
On the subject of being ‘home’ last summer Rees gave back to those who helped her at the initial stages of her career.
“My primary school was so supportive of my hockey career. One of my old teachers reached out and wanted me to come back to explain the sport and tell my story.
It’s great to give back. If I can give one of those kids, especially a girl, an opportunity to play or gain an interest [in the sport], it would mean a lot.”
Rees is a realist about the level of the competition despite stating GB want to claim the gold medal.
“I’d probably say Italy [are the toughest challenge], with them qualifying for the upcoming Olympics. They are a pretty strong team. But it could go any way with every team.”
The GB defender is part of a young blue line but with plenty of senior tournament experience. It will be the third senior World Championship campaign for Rees and fourth international tournament having been a part of the recent Olympic qualification roster.
The flame burns bright, pun intended, as far as the Olympics are concerned. Rees has her sights set on doing everything possible to represent GB at the event in the future.
“The Olympics. It’s always the ultimate goal. It looks like an amazing experience, competing against those big teams like the USA, Canada and Finland. It’s definitely something we can do in future.”
As for the immediate future, Rees is close to making a decision as to where she’ll continue her career next season.
“I hope to play NCCA. I’m finalising where I want to go in the next two weeks.”
If selecting a Division 1 NCCA university, Rees will join a select group of four players from the UK ever to commit. One of those is GB legend Angela Taylor, who coached Rees as recently as 2023.
“I’m picking a school on what’s best for me overall. That’s not just for hockey but the academic side too. It’s about where you feel at home. I didn’t feel that Canada was the best fit for me. So I want to find that in a college, enjoy myself on and off the ice, and play at the highest level I can.”
My thanks to Ellin Rees for arranging and conducting an interview in a short timeframe.
Please don’t forget to check out my preview of the 2025 Women’s World Championship Division I Group B here: https://wp.me/p2gDti-1FC
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