Phoenix U-19 trio in England Call Up

Thursday, 4th March 2010

Three players who started out as Under 10s at Altrincham's old Devonshire Road rink are celebrating their selection for the England U-19 squad to face Scotland at the Elite League Playoff Final wekend in April.

First to receive the call was Phoenix defenceman Max Drakeley. A former Phoenix junior player, the Trafford Metros defenseman has also iced for the Phoenix EPL team this season. Max has played at Blackburn and featured in Northern Conference teams at three age groups as well as making the reserve list for the Great Britain U-18s in 2008.

Also winning a place in the squad is Metros' netminder Declan Ryan. Declan, who moved back to Altrincham earlier this season after a spell with Sheffield, has already played for the English national team at four age levels. He adds this latest call up to his selection for the 2010 GB U-18s team.

Completing the trio is former Phoenix U-18 winger Ben Brown, who scored against Scotland in last year's U-17 Conference finals. Brown has iced for EHC Dubendorf in Switzerland this term, but started his hockey career icing with both Max and Declan at the old Devonshire Road rink in Altrincham.

Everyone at the Manchester Phoenix wishes the players the best of luck.