Scotland have announced their Under-19s squad for the EIHA Conference, which will take place at Ice Sheffield at the end of April.

Head coach Steven Lynch has called upon a variety of players from different leagues to take on their English counterparts in the showpiece game.

This year’s U19 international is on Friday 29 April at ice Sheffield, face off 8pm and admission is free for the Friday night.

Last year England won 4-1 to regain the Frank Dempster Bowl from Scotland’s 6-4 success in Hull in 2014.

Lynch believes he has the best Scotland Under 19s team at his disposal as he plots to avenge last year’s loss to England.

He said: “We’ve put together a team that’s very competitive and I think it’s probably the best Scotland Under 19’s team we’ve seen in a long, long time.

“My co-coach Scott Plews, assistant coach Iain Robertson and I are going into the game very optimistic. We’re not cocky or overconfident but with great hope we can come out with a victory at the end of this game.

“The one that stands out for what we have this year is the depth in our squad, as opposed to one or two special individuals.

“We’ve never really had that and Scotland Under 19’s have had one or two lines that can always compete and perhaps struggled in depth.

“This year, we’ve got four lines we can put on the ice that can do that this year and we’re looking forward to seeing it in action.”

The annual game used to be played at the Elite League play-off finals weekend in the early Sunday afternoon slot.

But in recent years, it’s been the flagship game for the EIHA Conference, which has been held in Sheffield and Hull in recent years.

Debutants for the Scots include Kirkcaldy Kestrels pair Martyn Simpson and Adam Farmer, while Moray Typhoons duo Harry Ferguson and Jack Durkacz are also picked.

But Lynch is pleased to bring together players from a variety of backgrounds, from experience in North America to players from the Elite League and SNL.

He added: “We’ve got players that have picked up Elite League experience, with Renny Marr at Coventry Blaze and Tyler Plews played often for Edinburgh Capitals this season.

“Duncan Speirs and Stuart Kerr have also featured for Braehead Clan recently plus players who play in North America and experienced the game at an almost professional level.

“We’ve got a lot of younger players as well, including three players who have made the British Under 18 team and another two or three that were on the reserve list.

“There are also guys a little older, faster with more skill that we’ll be leaning on that have been there, done it and know what to expect so they’ll help out the new lads coming in.”

Conference Weekend starts on 7am Saturday 30 April until 8pm Monday 2 May and teams taking part range from U11, U13, U15 and U17 coming from Scotland plus the four English conferences – Northern, Midlands, South East and South West.

Tickets – a three day pass is £20 adults £10 children, day tickets £10/£5 and are available from ice Sheffield on the day itself.

SCOTLAND UNDER-19 SQUAD
Netminders
Renny Marr (Coventry Blaze EIHL)
Andrew Little (Fife)

Defencemen
Josh Grieveson (Middlesex Black Bears)
Stuart Kerr (Solway Sharks)
Tyler Plews (Edinburgh Capitals EIHL)
Kris Inglis (Dundee)
Martyn Simpson (Fife)
Andy Henderson (Dundee)
Adam Farmer (Fife)
Matthew Amer (Murrayfield)

Forwards
Duncan Speirs (Solway)
Craig Carrigan (OHA)
Ben Edmonds (Dundee)
Connor Henderson (West Michigan Wolves)
Aaron Robertson (Murrayfield)
Chad Smith (Fife)
Scott Henderson (Solway)
Daniel Abercrombie (North Ayr)
Jordan Buesa (Toronto Titans)
Jack Durkacz (Moray)
Harry Ferguson (Moray)
Callum Turnbull (Dundee)

Reserves
Kyle Johnston (NM, Solway)
Luke Houston (D, Solway)
Haydn Bain (F, Paisley)