Cloutier backs Chamberlain to shine for U18s

Monday 00 20, 2012

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has backed teenage forward Bobby Chamberlain to be a leading player for Great Britain Under-18s in the World Championships next month.

The 16-year-old, in his first season at Rapid Solicitors Elite League level, has been named in the squad for the Division Two Group A campaign in Holland.

GB, who face Lithuania, Korea, Romania and Croatia as well as the hosts between March 31-April 6, were relegated last year.

But Cloutier said: “Bobby is one of the best 16-year-old players in the country and he is going to dominate with the U18s. He almost made the U20s - he was one of the last cuts.

“He has been playing in the Elite League all year. Anyone under 18 who is playing in the Elite League should be in that squad.

“Their first line is Bobby, Ross Venus and Liam Stewart. Bobby is going to be a key player for them and will log a lot of minutes.

“Venus is a great little player and has done well in Coventry. I was surprised Jamie Smith from Dundee was not in the squad. He is a good player and is playing a regular shift in the Elite League and you wonder why he didn’t make it. But we wish Bobby nothing but the best.”

Stingrays take on Belfast Giants at Hull Arena in the Rapid Solicitors Elite League on Saturday February 25 (7pm face-off). Tickets can be purchased by ringing the Hull Arena Box Office on 01482 325252. 

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