Sarich gets paperwork in order to boost GB hopes

The Sheffield Steelers’ defenceman has been based in South Yorkshire for the last eight years, but only received his British passport a short while ago in order to make the final 22-man squad selected by head coach Tony Hand to compete in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying tournament in Japan, held from November 9-11.

Danny Meyers, Mark Thomas, Jason Hewitt, Jonathan Phillips, Ashley Tait and Colin Shields, all Sarich’s team-mates, also make the squad along with Hull Stingrays’ netminder Ben Bowns.

Britain, who turned down the opportunity to host the tournament, will head to Nikko as the highest-ranked team at 21 in the world, with hosts Japan one place below them. Romania and Korea make up the group with the winners progressing to a final Olympic qualifier in February.

Sarich, who has bounced back from a career-threatening kidney injury last season, said he was excited about making his international debut.

“I’m not really sure what to expect,” said Sarich. “It’s an exciting time, but it was touch and go as to whether my passport would be here in time.

“It’s going to be a long one for us all, but I think it will be well worth it – particularly if we can make it to the next stage. That would be a great shot in the arm for UK ice hockey. Japan are probably going to be the toughest opponent for us.

“It’s a big honour for me. I’ve been here for eight years now, so it’s not like I’ve just showed up out of the woodwork or something.”

Britain open up their tournament against Korea and finish off against hosts Japan two days later. The last time the two sides met was in April this year when Japan beat Hand’s team 5-0 in Division 1A of the World Championships.

“We have a very competitive squad, even though we are missing some players, and I am convinced we can do well,” said Hand, who announced an initial 30-strong squad last week before trimming it down.

“It will be tough but this squad is capable of great things and the next stage is certainly achievable.

“Roddy (Sarich) will be a huge asset to us,” added Hand. “When a player as good and as committed as he is becomes available you have to consider him.

“Speaking with Rod I knew we were getting a player who wanted to play, wanted to contributor. Our ‘D’ is now stronger than ever.”

As a result of having so many members in the squad, Steelers will not be in action that weekend. Hull Stingrays – missing just goaltender Bowns – will play as normal, facing a double header weekend against Coventry Blaze.

GB squad: Netminders – B Bowns (Hull Stingrays); S Murphy (Belfast Giants). Defence: D Meyers (Sheffield Steelers), B O’Connor (Arlan Kokshetau), D Phillips (Belfast Giants), M Richardson (Arlan Kokshetau), R Sarich (Sheffield), M Thomas (Sheffield), J Weaver (Nottingham Panthers). Forwards: D Clarke (Nottingham), R Dowd (Troja-Ljungby), R Farmer (Braehead Clan), M Garside (Belfast), J Hewitt (Sheffield), P Hill (Cardiff Devils), R Lachowicz (Nottingham), D Longstaff (Guildford Flames), M Myers (Nottingham), C Peacock (Belfast), J Phillips (Sheffield), C Shields (Sheffield), A Tait (Sheffield).

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