Wilson talks Team GB

With only two days remaining until Team GB face Poland to begin their mission to qualify for Vancouver 2010, Newcastle Vipers coach Rob Wilson has said that depth up front will give the national side the edge they need.

In an interview with skysports.com, Wilson said that the team’s ability to rotate four forward units will be the key to success.

“Going to Poland is not going to be easy,” he said.

“There are going to be some tough teams over there, but I like how our team is put together. I think that for the first time in a long time we’re going to be able to play four very strong lines with some good hockey players.”

Two players from Wilson’s Vipers squad have been called up to play in the tournament – defenceman Jez Lundin and forward David Longstaff.

Longstaff is one of five Team GB players in the top 15 for individual points scoring in the Elite League.

“We’ve got the likes of Longstaff, Steve Thornton, Colin Shields, Greg Chambers, Greg Owen and Ashley Tait – there’s some pretty good offence there,” Wilson added.

“If we can get some good play around them, some solid goaltending and our defence step up we’ll have the offence to win some games so I think it will be interesting to see how we do.”