RIO Grinell-Parke has got what could be a big year for him off to a promising start, writes Dave Wright.

The teenager secured his first man-of-the-match award for Bracknell Bees in their match with Swindon Wildcats on Sunday.

He was back in the team after returning from a Great Britain under-18 training camp and his aim is to establish himself as a junior international.

The 17-year-old is also in his final year at school and is hoping to emerge with educational qualifications.

So, on and off of the ice, 2017 could prove a memorable one for the Londoner and his man-of-the-match performance will give his confidence a boost.

Bees lost 2-1 to the Wildcats, but only in a penalty shoot-out with the point won being their first in seven games.

“It was my first for Bracknell, so I am pleased with that,” he said after collecting his award.

“Everyone else was working together as well; it was a group effort with everyone doing their job.

Summing up the game, Grinell-Parke said: “The result was a bit disappointing as we had a lot of shots and outshot them in every period. We had some unlucky bounces, we had shots off the crossbar and post. We were unlucky, but we still put in a good performance.”

Grinell-Parke had missed last week’s defeats by Guildford and Peterborough as he was up in Dumfries for a GB under-18 training camp.

"It was the last trial before they select the squad," added the London-born forward.

"If I get in the team I will be going to Slovakia, I think, for a couple of games there and then we travel to South Korea to play in venues which are to used for the (2018) Winter Olympics."

Former Bracknell junior Grinell-Parke returned to The Hive from London Raiders this season even though it means extra travelling for him.

He continued:"As I live in Camden, it is quite demanding having to travel to down for training twice a week and games, but I manage to do it - even though some days I don't get home until the early hours of the morning."

Rio is in his final year at La Swap Sixth Form establishment near his home, studying PE, biology and psychology.

His aim, however, is to make ice hockey his main career.