A Kingston student is searching for funds to represent the Great British Men’s Ice Hockey team at the World University Winter Games next year in China.

Daniel Marashi, studying an MA in International Business Management, needs to raise £1,500 to join nineteen other students selected during a monthly training camp in Sheffield last January.

Marashi, 21, said: "This is a level I'll probably never get to play again. I've never been to China, the Games are taking place not too far from the Russian border so it will be absolutely freezing."

Marashi currently captains the Bracknell Hornets and plays alongside his younger brother, also a student at Kingston, who missed out on a spot but made the reserves.

A spokesperson for the Bracknell Hornets said: "With the current economic climate in turmoil, funding for the team is currently non existent and each player has been asked to find their own sponsorship for the trip.”

Daniel, who has only left the UK twice to train in Canada and Czech Republic, is relishing the trip to Asia.

Younger brother, Adam Marashi, 19 and studying Sports Science with Business, said: “It was an early start in Sheffield and Nottingham. By the end of the day you were dead. Dan is one of the younger players so I was surprised…he sets the tone for the team with his work rate.”

Dan plays right-wing and is part of a squad of 20. He describes himself as a "grinder" who shuts down the opposition and does "the dirty work".

Gareth Cox, the Hornets head coach, said: “Dan is a natural leader, a born competitor and extremely focused. He excels in doing the ugly jobs…and will skate through the walls for his team.”

Marashi spent nearly two hours every morning in Sheffield conducting high intensity drills before improving "off-ice" fitness including sprints and "explosive-runs". His inspiration is left winger Alex Ovechkin of the NHL Washington Capitals and Russian hockey team.

The young Hornet said: "Last tournament [Torino, Italy 2007] most players went on to play in the NHL and most top teams in Europe. I'd love to play hockey but the way I see it next year I will be a business consultant."

The University Winter Olympic Games takes place in Harbin, China in February 2009 and lasts for two weeks. Great Britain has been placed in Pool A alongside Canada, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and China.

Cox said: “The GB team will be in for a rough time as they face much stronger opposition…the team can draw from Dan’s pride and passion to keep fighting until the final whistle.”

Marashi’s parents hope to travel across with him for extra support. 

Marashi said: "I hope I'll play. I'm definitely not one of the best but any ice time I get I'll be happy. I'll be glad to be there and will give it my all."

His coach added: “We strongly encourage everyone and anyone to contribute to the team and to Dan’s cause but coming from a minority sport within the current climate, funding is very difficult.”

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More information is available here and here.