Hull Seahawks coach Matty Davies' delight at Noah Kääriäinen's GB call-up

MATTY DAVIES has expressed his delight at Noah Kääriäinen’s GB call-up - even if it means he will be out of the Hull Seahawks line-up for one game.

The 19-year-old right-hander - on a two-way deal from the Elite League’s Manchester Storm for a second successive season - is part of the GB squad that has flown out to Poland to compete in the European Cup of Nations.

Manchester-born Kääriäinen has previously represented GB at Under-16 and Under-18 level and was recently at the GB Under-20 training camp from which a team will be selected for the Division 2A World Championships in Zagreb in January.

But he will get to pull on a GB men’s jersey before he steps up to the Under-20 ranks after being picked by head coach Pete Russell as one of seven new faces.

Leeds Knights’ Edgars Vengis is another to be called up as GB take on hosts Poland, as well as Italy and Ukraine in the three-day tournament.

It means Kääriäinen - who has one goal and one assist in 14 games this season - will miss Saturday’s visit to Hull from Romford Raiders before returning in time to play in the rematch between the two teams in London the following day.

“Noah's been unreal this season,” said Davies. “Again, he's really stepped up another level this season. He's filled out in the summer a little bit, he's grown into his body.

"He leads the plus-minus for us this season, has done all year and he's really becoming that D-man that we thought we had last year.

“He's just improving and he deserves that call-up. It's great for him and I think it's good to put himself in that shop window, just being around them types of players.

“We'll miss him Saturday, so it's bittersweet, right? We want him to go and play and we want players playing for GB. That's a great thing for the club.”

Davies said cover for Kääriäinen’s absence will be provided by 17-year-old Bailey Thomas, who is on a three-way deal with Deeside Dragons and Manchester and has dressed seven times for the Seahawks this season, picking up his first assist in Sunday’s 14-3 thrashing of rock-bottom Bristol Pitbulls.

“I thought Bailey did a great job (on Sunday night) and he will stay with us Saturday and Sunday,” added Davies.