Norton won a gold medal with GB at the Under 20s World Championships

Nottingham Panthers coach Corey Neilson says he is thrilled with the progress being shown by young British defenceman Tom Norton.

The 19-year-old came through the Nottingham youth system and is in his first full season with the Panthers.

Neilson told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I cannot say enough great things about Tom. He has been a loyal player all year and played when we needed him.

"He came to my summer training camp and has really developed since."

Norton has seen an increase in ice-time this season, especially in last weekend's 6-3 victory in Hull.

Every time he has the puck he has great composure on it and he makes a great decision with it and I am so proud of him Corey Neilson on defenceman Tom Norton

Neilson decided to drop defenceman Dominic D'Amour, meaning increased responsibility for Norton.

Panthers also had to cope with the loss of blueliners Danny Meyers and Mario Larocque to misconducts for part of the second period.

"Nortzy hardly even played in the first period in Hull," added Neilson. "He comes in cold and he has to play a regular shift to the end.

"He goes into the corner with a player like Adam Knight and comes out with the puck both times.

"Every time he has the puck he has great composure on it and he makes a great decision with it and I am so proud of him.

The Mapperley-born youngster is a product of the Nottingham youth system and was part of the Nottingham Lions side which won the English National League play-offs last season.

Norton was one of nine youngsters who spent the summer at Neilson's training camp in Orangeville, Canada.

Neilson said: "You can't say enough about his commitment and the commitment of Neil [Black] our owner to pay for these guys to come and train.

"It's such a great luxury to have that amount of depth and an owner who backs me."

Norton first began watching Panthers when he was six and said it is an honour to play for his home-town club.

"I have many great memories of watching the Panthers and it's a dream to be playing for the team I supported as a boy," Norton said.

"I owe so much to all my former coaches and now to Corey who has helped me develop over the last few years.

"I have had some amazing experiences training with some great players at his summer training camps in Canada and this has helped me no end.

"And to play alongside some of the best players in the league on the Panthers defence is helping my game enormously."

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