This DecemberDumfries Ice Bowl will be hosting the 2024 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Division II, Group A. With Great Britain competing against Spain, Korea, China, Netherlands and Lithuania.
What a great opportunity for all our young players to see first hand what it is like to play for Great Britain. And to make it even more accessible they are offering discounted group bookings. Check out the details below.
The excitement continued to brew on the second day of the Riga Tournament in Latvia as young Scottish ice hockey talents took to the rink once again. The day was filled with spirited matches, early morning breakfasts, and a mix of challenges and triumphs for both the U13s and U15s teams.
U13s Face a Tough Start
The day began with an early team breakfast for the U13s, setting the stage for their first game against the formidable Falcons. Spirits were high as the young athletes fueled up, ready to give it their all on the ice. The puck dropped at 9:15 am, signaling the start of what would be a challenging match against a skilled Falken team. Despite their determined efforts, the U13s faced a tough opponent and suffered a 7-1 defeat. While the scoreline may not have been in their favour, the young Scots showcased their determination and sportsmanship throughout the game.
U15s Secure a Convincing Victory
Meanwhile, the U15s team enjoyed a more leisurely start to their day, with a face-off scheduled at 1:00 pm against HS Kurbands. The U15s were eager to make their mark in the tournament and their hard work paid off as they displayed great teamwork, skill, and determination on the ice. The U15s secured a remarkable 3-0 victory, showcasing their prowess and resilience.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, both the U13s and U15s teams are gearing up for more action-packed days. Tomorrow, the U13s have two challenging matches lined up. First, they’ll face HK Prizma, an opportunity for redemption and a chance to showcase their growth and determination. Later in the day, they’ll once again cross paths with the Falcons, aiming to put up a strong fight and learn from their experiences.
The U15s are also set for an exciting day ahead, with two matches on their schedule. Their first match is against Sostine Hockey, where they’ll look to build on their recent victory and continue their winning streak. Later in the day, they’ll take on Olaines Vilki, a match that promises intense competition and a chance for the U15s to solidify their presence in the tournament.
Scottish Ice Hockey is deeply disappointed to learn of the planned closure of Ayr Ice Rink. Ice Hockey in Scotland and across the UK is on a positive track with a strong post COVID recovery for the sport and significant success at an international level over recent months.
Ice Hockey in Scotland is already challenged with the competing need for ice time and facilities and we cannot afford to lose another facility. Ayr Ice Rink supports over 100 Ice Hockey players across Junior and Recreational clubs as well as providing a home for ice skating clubs and therefore playing a vital role and access to not only ice sports but improved health and wellbeing opportunities in the local community.
SIH would like to work with the current owners and any other groups and agencies to prevent the closure of the facility.
Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH) has announced the details of their national program for the 23/24 season. Jamie Thomson, Head of Hockey Operations, expressed his excitement about refreshing the national program and providing clubs with ample time to organise players and encourage participation in the upcoming season.
For the next season, the age groups will follow the traditional format, including under 11 (u11), under 13 (u13), under 15 (u15), and under 17 (u17). Additionally, the program will continue to have sessions specific to NM players, and there are plans to host at least one under 19 (u19) game, if not more.
The program will be held at the Dumfries Ice Bowl for the 23/24 season, and the SIH extends their gratitude to the facility’s management for their assistance in organizing the program.
One significant change is that the coaches will be instructed to maintain a larger squad of approximately 40 players, along with 4 NM’s, from September to December, without making any cuts.
Following this period, a two-day event will be hosted in Dumfries. During this event, each squad will be divided into East and West teams, and several games will be played to allow the coaches to evaluate the players in a competitive setting. Subsequently, the coaches will select a “20 + 2 Scotland Squad” based on their assessments.
To ensure participants are well-informed and can plan accordingly, the SIH aims to provide a pack detailing the games, tournaments, and other relevant information for the entire season during the first session in September. This will allow players and organisers to have a clear understanding of the goals and help them get organised from day one.
DATES FOR 23/24 SEASON
National Training Days:
SIH Squad Games:
It is important for clubs to note that no club fixtures will be scheduled on any of these dates, as they are dedicated to the SIH national program activities.