Players from the Nottingham Lions and the Nottingham Junior Ice Hockey Club will be staring alongside Olympic legends Torvill & Dean in the National Ice Centre Ice Gala this coming Thursday.

The sold-out event is part of the celebrations as the Olympic Torch Relay makes its way through the city.

A total of 32 players from the club including the likes of Michael Rose, Reece Glossop, Sam Gospel, Elliot Perrin, Craig Wallis, Cameron Good, Callum Worthington-Evans, Ryan Rathbone, Dan Hazeldine as well as coaches Matt Bradbury and Paul Glossop will take part in a special dance routine choreographed by Mark Naylor from the ITV show ‘Dancing On Ice’.

Lions Head Coach - Matt Bradbury (right)

It will certainly be a sideways step from what hockey players usually do out on the ice but Lions’ Head Coach Bradbury is in no doubt what an honour it is to be involved in the celebrations, saying;

“When we were offered the chance to be involved we didn’t need to be asked twice!”

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for all the players and coaching staff, it’s going to be great to showcase the Lions and the Nottingham Junior Ice Hockey Club who are the hockey players of the future.”

Lions players Ryan Rathbone and Recce Glossop are also delighted to be part of the performance, which will help to raise the profile of the Lions;

“We have worked hard in practice and rehearsals and it really comes to the pinnacle on Thursday night when the Olympic flame comes onto the ice” said Rathbone;

“It’s something we’ll remember for a long time and it’s going to be televised” added Glossop.

Amongst all the senior players, the juniors will also be playing their part in the routine with players from every age group included and Nottingham Pumas Under 10s’ Jack Parker cannot wait to perform at such a big occasion, saying;

“It’s great to go out on the ice in front a sell out crowd and show people what ice hockey is all about in Nottingham.”

General Manager of Nottingham Ice Hockey Club, Paul Kelsall added;

“All the players involved have had to display many of the Olympic values to ensure that they perform well on the ice – courage and determination have been key from the moment they stepped onto the ice – all players having to push themselves out of their comfort zones.”

“We are hoping that the performance will inspire more young people to take up ice hockey.”

Bradbury concluded; “It’s nice to have something very different and spectacular for the Lions team and players to focus on. – It’s already been a busy summer so far and we look forward to making even more exciting announcements very soon.”

Torvill & Dean

The Ice Gala will also feature group and solo routines from short track speed skaters and synchronized skaters and music will be provided by the Lace City Chorus and the Hucknall & Linby Mining Community Brass Band. The Gala will end with former Olympic and World Champions Torvill & Dean taking to the ice to perform a dance routine with the Olympic Flame.

The event will take place on Thursday 28 June. Doors open at 4:30pm and the Gala will start promptly at 5:15pm.

Check back on nottinghamlionsenl.com later this week for a report on how the guys got on.