Olympic hockey star Ashley Jackson has told KSN of his delight at being able to play for the Invicta Dynamos in recent weeks.

Nominated for World Hockey Player of the Year, the 27 year old from Chatham is one of the most recognisable faces in the hockey world, starring for England since making his debut for the side in 2004.

Plying his trade with England Hockey and East Grinstead is Jackson’s day job, earning him the recognition of being one of the best players in the world, but it was ice hockey that was his first sporting passion.

With a window of opportunity to get on the ice, Jackson returned from the Champions Trophy in India shortly before Christmas and elected to register with the Invicta Dynamos for a four week spell.

Having iced eight times for the Dynamos now, Jackson heads off to India this week to join up with Ranchi Rhinos in the Hockey India League, but before departing KSN caught up with the talented sportsman before this weekend’s games as he told of his love of playing ice hockey:

“I came back from India, had a look and had the chance to jump back on the ice and have a knock around with some old pals and it turned into what it has.”

“There’s not much that goes between the one sport and the other, just hand / eye co-ordination and I’ve been more worried about tripping over my own skates.”

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being back out on ice, I absolutely love the sport and always follow it. The guys have been brilliant in the dressing room and it’s been a fun time over Christmas.”

“I spent a long time here growing up in my childhood playing as a junior and it’s been good to be back.”

With Head Coach, Kevin Parrish, hoping Jackson will be back to play for the Dynamos before the season ends, check out the rest of our exclusive interview here:

Main picture supplied by David Trevallion.