Tuesday, November 6, 2012

GONZALEZ TO REPRESENT SPAIN

Press Release

 Milton Icehawks forward Pol Gonzalez (pictured with Spanish Senior Men's National Team at 2011 World Championship Division I - photo credit:  HHOF Images) has been called into action to represent the Spanish National Team at the upcoming IIHF Olympic Pre-Qualification Tournament being held from November 8-11 in Kiev, Ukraine.

The 6'3", 190 lbs. native of Spain has been playing in Canada since the 2009-10 season, as well as representing his home country at numerous Under-18, Under-20 and Senior Men's IIHF tournaments.  Last season, Gonzalez was captain of Spain's Under-20 (World Junior) team that finished in fourth place at the World Under-20, Division II, Group 'A' Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, and the previous year he was a member of the Senior Team that place fifth, the country's highest-ever ranking, at the 2011 World Championship, Division I, held in Budapest, Hungary.

"This week, I look forward to my participation in the Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament Sochi 2014," said Gonzalez, "where Spain will play in Kyev, Ukraine against Poland, Ukraine and Estonia and i have been granted permission by the Management and Coaching staff of the Icehawks to represent Spain at such event for which I sincerely thank them for this opportunity as I look forward to come back and
help the team get into the play-offs."

Gonzalez also discussed his thoughts on the OJHL, "It is a great honor and privilege to be playing in the OJHL with the Milton Icehawks Junior A Team as my hockey education continues in Ontario and where I am trying to decide where i will continue with my studies for college in the coming year.  It has taken me three long years to get to this level of hockey, since i started playing the game in Barcelona, Spain as a youngster and where we are still a developing nation when it comes to this sport.  But many of us are working hard to achieve our goal and where just recently, our Spanish National goalkeeper was invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Camp this summer, as well as myself playing in the OJHL with the Milton Icehawks, has provided many players in Spain the motivation to continue playing ice hockey."

His time in Canada has saw Gonzalez play minor hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, as well as the East Enders Ticats Under-21 'AAA' club, while sprinkling in OJHL appearances with the Markham Waxers, Aurora Tigers and this season with the Icehawks.  Before his recall to Europe, the lanky forward has recorded one assist in seven games played for the club.

Gonzalez's father, Frank, is a Canadian citizen, who left to play professional hockey in Spain and following his lengthy career, would remain in the country assisting with the Federation.  He is currently the Spanish Ice Hockey Federation's Vice President, as well as a long-tenured Council Member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The Olympic Pre-Qualification Tournament that is being played in Ukraine is one of three tournaments being played, with the other two taking place in Budapest, Hungary and Nikko, Japan.  The winner of each group will move on to the Final Olympic Qualification Tournaments being held in February in Germany, Latvia and Denmark.  For more information on the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, as well as to follow Pol and the Spanish National Team, please CLICK HERE.
Best of luck to Pol in his quest overseas!


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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