Great Britain forward Ellie Patrick was only five years old when, after a figure skating session at Dundonald Ice Bowl, she ran into the Belfast Giants coming in for practice.
Inspired by seeing them in action, she asked her parents to introduce her to ice hockey. Now, 11 years later, she’s blazing a trail for the women’s sport in Northern Ireland herself.
She recently represented GB at the Under-18 Women’s World Championship Division II in Turkey, helping the team return home with a silver medal.
It was also a successful tournament personally for the teenager as she scored three goals and added an assist in GB’s five matches.
Ellie’s ice hockey story featured in the Belfast Telegraph this week. Click here to read the story.