Ice hockey – fans favourite Cingel lands national job

Edinburgh Capitals’ Scottish National League player/coach Martin Cingel now has a national role.

The 41-year-old, Slovaian-born forward, who also played for Dundee Stars, Manchester Phoenix and Solway Sharks, has been appointed as an assistant coach to Great Britain’s under-18 squad.

Cingel joined the Great Britain under-18 coaching staff for last year’s World Championship in Korea and he now links up with the national side’s new head coach, Jeff Hutchins, whom he played with at Edinburgh and Dundee.

He said: “I know Jeff (Hutchins) from my playing days and I am sure that with Sean Easton as another assistant coach we can create a good team.”

Edinburgh-born Tony Hand, Ice Hockey UK’s national development head coach, said: “We are excited about these two appointments.

“Martin was very impressive in Korea with the under-18s earlier this year and Sean worked very well with the under-16s.

“This completes our under-18 coaching staff and we are confident that, alongside Jeff Hutchins, we have a strong trio for the future.”