StormCast Episode 8: Jenion about to live his Storm dream

When Brad Jenion lines up for Manchester Storm at the AO Arena in the near future, it really will be a moment that may mean more to him than most.

The childhood Storm fan, who not only got to wear the jersey for real last season after returning from some years away in North America, will get the chance to play in the place where he fell in love with the club.

And it’s fair to say he can’t wait for that moment to come.

Coming back to England and spending time at my parents’ house last year, we were digging through old photo albums including pictures of me in a Manchester Storm shirt. It was then pretty cool to put on a shirt for real and get to represent the Storm.  It was an awesome moment for me and with the club moving back to the AO, it puts more value on those pictures.

When we got to tour the rink, I was staring at the blocks I was in from those photos, where I sat when I was two years old.  It was definitely a great moment. I was so young so I don’t have memories of it, of course, but I have the pictures to prove it and it was a big part of my family’s life back then.

My brother and sister both played in the old Altrincham rink while I was attempting to skate around and we’d go to the Manchester Storm games. One of our neighbours had a box in the arena so we’d go frequently.  I grew up on it and it feels like I’ve gone full circle.

Last year was a memorable one for Brad, who not only iced for his childhood team, but helped the Storm to a first ever play-off weekend appearance in the Elite League era.

But the icing on the cake was the call-up to play for Great Britain in the IIHF World Championships where he was selected for Pete Russell’s side at the end of last season.

When I came back to the UK, I had set myself some goals involving getting to where I want to be in the team, but getting to a GB squad was a side goal.

My call up was completely out of the blue.  I got told someone had been asking Pete Russell about me and what he thought.  The next thing I found I had been selected for the squad. I was over the moon.

We arrived at the rink in Zurich and it’s one of the top class facilities in the world.  The jumbotron was so big that if you put it in the old Storm Shelter, there wouldn’t be any room for the ice. You’re walking to the dressing room and seeing these NHL stars around the place.  You’re in the gym and Alexander Barkov and Jesse Puljujärvi are there.

I went there to not only play, but be a sponge and soak up as much as I could of the experience. I wanted to represent my country and I was delighted to get the chance.

Hear more from Brad in the latest episode of StormCast which is available now wherever you get your podcasts. Download, subscribe and listen now!👇

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