Vegas beckons for ice hockey stars

Beni Mcallister (coach), Ivan Troy, Alan Troy, Sean McGill, Ernie Freeman, Chris Darragh, Bill Doherty, Warren Murphy, Martin Darragh, Aaron Cuskeran, Trevor Martin. Not in the picture, Justin Moore. PIC: Alan McNeice

Members of the Northern Ireland Tridents ice hockey team have been invited to a tournament raising funds for the victims of 9/11

The team, which includes eleven Coleraine men, struck up a friendship with members of the Las Vegas Guns and Hoses Foundation team after playing in last year’s World Police and Fire Games.

Club Secretary Chris Darragh takes up the story: “We became friends with the players thanks to the World Police and Fire Games last summer.

“We then got an invite to join them at this tournament in October.

“The teams entering will be from fire or police departments from across America. We are really pleased to be the only team from the United Kingdom invited to the tournament.”

The locals all began playing the sport of ice hockey at the Jet Centre back in the nineties, the same ice rink that Olympic skater Jenna McCorkell took her first steps onto the ice.

They come together every Monday night to train at Dundunald Ice Bowl.

“The team was originally set up for police, fire or prison officers, but now the team is pretty much 50/50,” told Chris. It’s a great sport and we all get a great buzz from it.”

In the coming months, the guys are hoping to raise in the region of £10,000.

If you would like to help the guys out with sponsorship please contact Chris on 07889913745 or email [email protected]