IT IS a tough world full of bone-crunching collisions, unforgiving wooden sticks, a surface hard enough to break bones and a puck which can bring more than water to the eyes.

Ice hockey is a sport not for the faint-hearted but an under-14 star is making such an impact he is representing his country and training with the senior squad.

Aaron Connolly, 13, plays for the Invicta Dynamites in the English Under-14 National Ice Hockey League and he has made his name as the top points scorer in his age group in the country.

Last season, which saw Invicta pipped to the title by Peterborough, Aaron scored more than 100 points for the second consecutive year.

The Northfleet lad, who plays forward position, has also been selected for the second time to play for England's under-14s.

He travels to Toronto in Canada over Christmas for the Richard Bell Memorial Tournament and then is off to Prague for the Czech Open Tournament.

Aaron said: "Playing for England has not really sunk in but I really enjoy ice hockey as it is fast and exciting.

"At this level we don't get into fights and I don't what would happen at senior level."

Mum Sally and dad Bob, who live on Deneholme Road, could not be more proud of their son.

Sally said: "We're over the moon and it is a great achievement to be selected for England again and to play with the seniors at only 13.

"But we are cool about it because Aaron does not blow his own trumpet, hardly anyone knows about it and we do the same so he does not get embarrassed."

Aaron, who cites Colorado Avalanche as his favourite team, said: "Training with the senior squad is good because I am learning so much from them.

"It would be great to play in America as they take the game so much more seriously over there and the crowds are much bigger than here."

Aaron took up the sport aged six when he went to watch the Invicta Dynamos play at the Gillingham Ice Bowl.

He learnt to skate, joined the club and has been told he has the potential to represent Great Britain at the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Sally said: "He certainly has what it takes to be at 2010 but it depends whether the team has enough money to send an ice hockey squad out there."

And of course it all comes down to cash at ice-roots level as Aaron is looking for sponsorship to help him travel to tournaments and continue his development into a star of the future.

To get involved, call Bob Connolly on 07759 864504.