GREG Owen celebrated with his first hat-trick of the season after being selected for the Great Britain for their final Olympic qualifying tournament.

The British forward became the first Bison player in three years to be selected for the senior national team and will head to Riga, Latvia as part of 22-man squad for the four team tournament from Thursday February 7 to Sunday February 10.

The side coached by Manchester Phoenix’s Tony Hand will face Latvia, France and Kazakhstan for a place in the Winter Olympics at Sochi, Russia in 2014.

Owen was last selected for GB in 2011 and is pleased to return to the team where he is the only player from the English Premier League.

The Reading-born forward said: “It is also great to play for your country and Latvia is one place I have never played in.

“Having now been selected for last year’s World Championship and being a reserve for the first Olympic tournament I was wondering if my international career was over so its good to be back.”

Owen said: “We know we are the underdogs, but as a team everyone knows each other which is good and I think we can spring a surprise.

“When you think of the funding involved we are really over achieving in my view.”

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard was delighted that Owen had been selected and said: “It is great for the club and I wish him and the team well in the competition.”

The Herd could have two players going to Latvia as goalie Stevie Lyle is one of two reserve netminders selected.