Great Britain Selection An ‘Absolute Honour’ For Hull Seahawks’ Owen Bruton

Hull Seahawks’ (https://hullseahawks.co.uk) #11 Owen Bruton has been named in Great Britain’s team for the men’s Under-20 World Championship Division II Group A tournament.

The tournament which will be held in Zagreb will see Great Britain come up against hosts Croatia as well as China, Lithuania, Netherlands and Romania.

On being selected for this tournament, 18-year-old Owen Bruton said:

“it’s an absolute honour - every time you put that shirt on, it’s a special moment.”

“To find out when you get the email to say you’ve made the team again, it’s special, and then you just want to get out there and hopefully win a gold medal this time.”

Bruton has previously featured for Great Britain on numerous occasions; the latest of which saw him win a silver medal at the Men’s U18s World Championship.

He also won a bronze medal at last year’s Men’s U20s World Championship after the team lost the match due to an empty-net goal in the last minute of regulation time.

On his previous Great Britain experiences, forward Owen Bruton said: “I’ve been there before and it’s a really good environment with the U20s. The coaches are really good and the group last year was really good too.”

“Every time I’ve been away with GB, it’s been a really good experience. Obviously, last year one game cost us the gold, so you’ve got to basically win all five games, so I am definitely ready to go this year.”

At the Men’s U18s World Championship earlier this year, Bruton was selected as one of the alternative captains as one of the more experienced members of the roster.

He is therefore no stranger to taking on leadership roles, so it is likely he will play a key role in the upcoming world championship.

On his time as an alternative captain, Beverley-born Bruton said: “I think it was really good and was obviously one of the highlights of my career so far to be an alternative captain for the U18s.”

“Sometimes I think it’s really challenging to rally the group, and to keep everybody positive, but it was a challenge I was willing to take. I want to take that into this year and keep the group positive, and I think that’s the main thing you’ve got to do, is to stick together.”

Bruton has also been showing promise in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) as part of the Hull Seahawks’ roster which has seen him record 10 points in 20 matches.
He has been ever-present for the Seahawks this year and has scored 6 goals and 4 assists as one of the shining lights in the side who claimed the Yorkshire Cup in pre-season.

On his time with the Seahawks so far, the Kingston Sharks Junior, Bruton, said:

“I’ve been watching the older guys and trying to learn the good parts of their game and it gets you into good habits.”

“Dave Phillips has helped me out a lot this year; just getting into good habits and training 110% every time you get on the ice. I want to bring that energy to the team and be able to show that we’re willing to fight.”

The Men’s U20s World Championship will take place from the 6th to 12th January 2025, with the side’s opening match being against hosts Croatia on the 6th January.