BLACKBURN Hawks player-coach Bobby Haig has singled out the man to lead his side into the new millennium.

Nineteen-year-old forward Dan Mackriel, now in his third season at the Arena, has witnessed the club slide from the dizzy heights of the Northern Premier League to the English Division One (North) first hand since arriving from Telford Tigers two years ago.

But despite his mercurial talents, Dan has stuck with them through thick and thin - much to the delight of his coach.

"Dan is an exceptional talent and is vital to this team," says Haig.

"It has been a real coup for us to hold onto him. He reads the game very well and he is very sharp - you can tell from his goal return just how important he is to us.

"Hopefully he'll stick with us in the long run and help us get back where we belong."

A Great Britain Under-19s international, Dan is hoping to make the national team again in time for next year's European championships.

But Dan is quick to play down his celebrity status.

"It's always nice to receive compliments, especially from someone who has achieved so much in the game as Bobby has," he says.

"But ice hockey is a team game, and as the old saying goes, there's no "I" in team."

Haig will be hoping that his prize asset can lead the Hawks to victory at the Arena on Sunday when Bradford come to town.

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