Ice hockey – Hand now member of Hall of Fame

Tony Hand has been inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

The 49-year-old received the Richard ‘Bibi’ Torriani Award for an outstanding career by a player from a non-top hockey nation as part of the 2017 inductees.

The Edinburgh-born former forward scored over 4,250 points in an illustrious 34-year senior playing career which started when he was a 16-year-old.

He became the first British-raised player to be drafted by a National Hockey League side when he was selected by Canadian cracks Edmonton Oilers in round 12, 252 overall, in the 1986 entry draft.

Later, in a two-year stint as Great Britain head coach, he led the national side to the final qualifying stages for the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014.

Hand, a former Murrayfield Racers, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Ayr Scottish Eagles star, said: “I am honoured and privileged to be here to accept the award. I am overwhelmed.

“I started playing hockey when I was nine. My father passed away when I was seven and my mum brought us up. The sacrifices she made for me to get to here.”

“It is the pinnacle of my career, something I never ever dreamed of.”