He is a future starter in the EIHL for sure, the trajectory and years he has, let alone individual skill, carries in buckets and spades.
The real question for the Welsh forward is, can he make the local EIHL team in the Cardiff Devils?
Names to remember from recent seasons that have had a crack at it, with Craig Moore, Toms Rutkis and Reece Kelly the most recent, had in some ways, won the hearts of the Devils faithful and left a lingering hope, wondering, will these players make the step up?
There is no question, the current brit core is ageing, with the experience it has, one day very soon, there will be a changing of the guard in South Wales.
For many GB hockey minded fans, how long will this change take?
There is no worry for where and when a new crop would be ready, many are right now.
The ability to guarantee ice time in the NIHL has proven to be the most (and obvious) factor for many, especially goalies, like Tyler Perre, Jordan Lawday and Brython Preece, to name a few.
It could be argued that under different circumstances and management, the last couple of seasons would have seen more younger GB players pushing for a place not just on this roster, but league wide.
That is why it will be a success for Glasgow Clan and Reece Kelly.
The partnership with the Bristol Pitbulls has been strengthened again, with more two-ways selected for the Devils, making the focus on the new British talent ever more intensified.
Looking to the reigning champions, Belfast Giants, who are going for 3 league titles in a row (indisputably, officially), the trust and vision they have in new British talent is promising and envious.
The mindset for the club, however, has been to compete for silverware, so it is no wonder they aren’t in a hurry to sever ties with such a legendary crop of GB talent just yet.
https://twitter.com/TeamGBicehockey/status/1603758322586456066?s=20
Instead, patience has been the priority from the General Manager Todd Kelman, urging players to get game time and hone their skillsets.
Before this season begins, one must think, since the enigmatic, Wales-born, legendary GB talisman, Jonathan Phillips retired, how long would it be until others call it a day?
Already, in a last dash effort to fulfil a career goal for European hockey, another local and GB legend, Matthew Myers, has gone for broke in the French 2nd tier, no doubt to keep aspirations for top level international hockey next spring in the mix.
Which is why, now more than ever is the time to knuckle down and step into those trusted and long-adored skate strides, own that stall and name plate upon it.
Coaches Jamie Elson and Pete Russell are excited for his potential to flourish, described as a real athlete with an x-factor that poses a lethal threat against opposing teams.
Committed to improving, hardworking and has recently self-proclaimed ‘this is the year’, in a recent interview, Harewood would be aiming to make a lasting impression in the training camp coming up this week.
He would be making the most of the pre-season games before the puck drops for the first official game of the season vs Guildford Flames in the Challenge Cup.
https://twitter.com/EIHA_Official/status/1628696173568724994?s=20
Last season he was a point per game in a league that for a young, developing forward, is a great achievement of its own merit. He also had enthusiastic praise for being a great team player.
His time last season was split in the NIHL across two teams, with injury, however in 21/22, he still managed to ice for his hometown team in the EIHL, along with two NIHL teams, feature in the Challenge Cup, the CHL and then winning the NIHL title with Telford Tigers.
As for junior GB duties, he was head and shoulders above the rest in the last WJC-20 D2A, notching 8 points and being a constant presence on the ice, physically, creatively and with quality.
That campaign saw his team collect silver, a year after collecting bronze.
With new Devils coach at the helm, Pete Russell, the recruitment, development and focus on future GB players is a passion that he can sink his teeth into, which is fantastic news for those young players eyeing a place in the EIHL.
Pete Russell gave a glowing review of the standard Harewood is currently at, being a good skater, confident in his skills and a promising hockey IQ.
It was also refreshing to know where Bayley himself understands his own areas of improvement, being desperate to ‘annihilate’ them.
This shows accountability to a man and coach, who’s ethos is built upon that foundation.
It is clear to see that there is a more attentive eye on Harewood this season, who would look to hold a solid place on the Pitbulls team, taking advantage of any ice time available in the EIHL with Cardiff.
He understands now is the time to make the big push to step up and you can genuinely feel the sense that will happen in the near future, with his sole focus on being a Cardiff Devil.
Personally, I see the pre-season with an inclusion of no more than 6 games this campaign, as the offensive options are pretty flexible, also, it would depend on the Pitbulls’ needs like the last season.
However, it would be anyones guess to how Harewood and Co impress from the training camp through the pre-season schedule, along with the intimate knowledge of GB players Russell, Kelman and King have.
Stats run through EP based on EIHL, CHL, NIHL, WJC Competitions
HockeySteve Stats & Insights 