TEENAGE ice hockey wizzard Andrew Marlow is feeling pucker after being called up for the North of England squad.

The 13-year-old will travel to Holland at the end of the month to take part in a five nations tournament against Sweden, Germany, France and the home team.

Andrew, of Great Sankey, plays as a left winger for Altrincham Tomahawks and took the award for the highest number of goal assists when the side won the Northern B League at under 12s level last year.

He has just returned from a tour of Canada with the Tomahawks where they played a number of teams from around the Ontario area.

Andrew's dad Neil said: "Every town in Canada of more than a few thousand people has got an ice rink so the game is massive over there.

"It's taking off in this country but it's difficult when there are only three rinks for the whole of the north west.

"Andrew's team have to practice between 11pm and 1am on a Friday night because that's the only time that they can get on the ice at Altrincham and that's difficult for lads of their age."

Andrew has also been selected for the Northern team when the National Conference Series gets underway in April and hopes to use the opportunity to catch the eye of the full England team manager.

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