The Nottingham Panthers have issued a statement of positivity and hope for some of their players after almost twelve months off the ice for many of the teams ice-hockey stars whilst others have been loaned out to pastures new and across Europe to get much needed game time.

The club say that they are now organising training sessions to get at least some of their star players back on to the ice.

They say “It’s nearly a year since the club were able to play a competitive game because of the pandemic. With Covid restrictions stopping crowds and the latest news on funding it could be the Autumn before matches get the green light.”

“In the meantime some of our elite level players are hoping to represent Great Britain at the World Championships.”

“Players like Ollie Betteridge, Robert Lachowicz and Josh Tetlow will be under the microscope.”

“With that in mind the club has set up sessions with strict Covid protocols in place at the National Ice Centre. Former Captain and Assistant Coach David Clarke will help supervise the camp.”

One of the clubs most promising players and one looking to feature in team GB at the world’s, Ollie Betteridge, stated: “This is great news, we need some ice time. We’re going up against the best in the world and they’ve nearly all been playing games, all be it behind closed doors, but the circumstances in their countries allowed matches to go ahead. Some were disrupted but the players have been getting some action. We need to stretch our legs and get things going. This will be great for us.”

Hope is that the Elite League will return in Autumn after a total wipe-out of the 2020/21 campaign (as well as the cancellation to the 2019/20 season that never got to finish) so Nottingham have at least time now to prepare ahead, whilst the IIHF World Championships are set to take place in Latvia this May, Great Britain are in Group A with the likes of Russia, Sweden, Belarus, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia and Denmark in a tough looking draw.

Competition is set to go ahead on May 21^st with all games played in Riga.

*Main image @PanthersIHC Ollie Betteridge is hoping to represent GB in the World Championships.