Stingrays' Davies is boosted by his GB squad call-up
ICE HOCKEY
HULL-born Matty Davies says it's a "nice surprise" to be included in Great Britain's preliminary squad for the Olympic final qualifiers in Latvia.
The 22-year-old forward and his Rapid Solicitors Stingrays team-mate Ben Bowns have both been invited to a two-day training camp in Manchester in a fortnight's time.
After the camp, coach Tony Hand will trim the 32-man squad down to his final 22 for next month's trip to Riga.
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While keeper Bowns' selection was entirely expected, as he went with GB to Japan pre-Christmas, Davies' inclusion was a shock.
"It was a bit of a surprise, but a nice surprise," said Davies.
"It's nice to get recognised. I have never been a big goalscorer, and never will be, it's just not me. But I like to make plays for other people and things like that.
"I've just been trying to work hard this season.
"I haven't been working hard solely to get picked for the GB team. It's more trying to do a good job for the Stingrays and Sylvain Cloutier, and if I get a call to get a skate with GB at the training camp then great."
Although Stingrays lie bottom of the Elite League, Davies is enjoying his best-ever return in the top flight.
He has racked up three goals and 27 assists so far to sit in the league's top 10 British-born points scorers.
"It's nice to know that I've been recognised for doing good things, it gives me a boost," said Davies.
"It's nice for the Stingrays, particularly as there's not usually too many from Stingrays get picked, it's usually the bigger clubs."
However, the former GB junior international is realistic enough to know that while Bowns is almost certain to make the final cut, he is likely to be one of the unlucky players missing out.
He said: "I am not expecting to make the team anyway, because we already have a side that's done really well so far, but it's nice to finally come through this season and start producing like I always knew I would do in the end."
GB travel to Latvia on February 6 ahead of the four-team tournament and will face the hosts, as well as France and Kazakhstan.
Full squad: Ben Bowns, David Clarke, Russ Cowley, Ben Davies, Matthew Davies, Robert Dowd, Robert Farmer, Mark Garside, Joe Greener, Jason Hewitt, Phil Hill, Leigh Jamieson, Robert Lachowicz, Stevie Lee, David Longstaff, Danny Meyers, Stephen Murphy, Matthew Myers, Aaron Nell, Ben O'Connor, Greg Owen, Craig Peacock, David Phillips, Jonathan Phillips, Kevin Phillips, Mark Richardson, Rod Sarich, Colin Shields, Ashley Tait, Mark Thomas, Jonathan Weaver, Geoff Woolhouse.
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