Fraser’s England call is a very n-ice boost
NORTH ice hockey starlet Thomas Fraser has been called up for England, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 14-year-old Whitley Bay Junior Ice Hockey Club forward flies out to Bratislava next month to join a national under-15 training camp.
It is a first England call for the Newcastle-based youngster, top scorer this season for the club’s under-15 side the Tomahawks.
Fraser came through an arduous selection process to earn his place in the squad, which will take part in coaching and matches during its time in Slovakia.
Simon Leach, head of the club’s junior section, is delighted with his protege’s call-up - and has tipped him for even greater success in future.
He said: “I was asked by England to suggest some possible candidates for the camp and Thomas was one of the first names I put forward.
“It is a tremendous achievement for him and one which he thoroughly deserves.
“Thomas has been with Whitley Bay since he was eight but in the last year he has really come on in leaps and bounds - both physically and mentally. His attitude is always spot on and he has a great desire to do well.
“He knows how hard he has to work to get to where he wants to be and he is prepared to do that.
“Getting to the top in British ice hockey is always very difficult but Thomas has the talent and potential to do very well in the sport.
“He just has to keep his head down and keep working hard on his game.”
Dad Scott Fraser said: “Everyone is so proud of Thomas.
“It has been a long process to gain selection for England and he has worked his backside off to achieve it.
“He has played regularly for the under-15s as well as stepping up to the under-18 side and he has been in good scoring form.
“At the start of the season Thomas said he wanted to try and go as far as he could in the sport and this is the next step for him.”
However, Fraser is not the North East ice hockey starlet to receive the England call.
Joseph Walls, 14, from Wallsend - who plays for Billingham Stars is also heading to Bratislava and has also been named in the Northern Conference under-15 squad.
The young forward’s mum Stephanie Elcoat said: “We are over the moon at the news Joseph has worked so hard for this.
“He has learnt a lot from the coaches at Billingham and his game has come on so well.”
WHITLEY Bay’s Anthony Wetherall and Thomas Brown have been selected for England Under19 trials at Ice Sheffield tomorrow.
The national team chosen from those trials will fly to Bratislava, along with England under-13s, under-14s and under-15s and the under-14 and under-17 girls squads, for a training camp and competitive matches on Monday, April 2.