MIKE CLANCY hopes the success of a national cup helps the future formation of a Welsh ice hockey side.

Deeside Dragons beat Cardiff Fire 16-14 on aggregate to lift the revamped Welsh Cup and Clancy hopes this is used as a stepping stone to further developments.

After a first leg that finished 5-5, Deeside overcame a slow start to record an 11-9 triumph in the return encounter in Cardiff.

Dragons’ head coach Clancy told BBC Sport: “I think it’s fantastic that we’re getting an opportunity to showcase Welsh hockey, which is important.

“Next steps for me would be bringing together a Welsh national side using both clubs to enable us to start producing our own homegrown talent and, look, plenty of young Welsh players have represented Great Britain and England all over the years and it would be great to pull that together.

“So, I think this is the start of something.

“It would be great to see (the) Welsh Sports Council get involved a little bit more and support this. But, look, I’m looking forward to being a part of it over the next few years for sure.”