New Sheffield Steelers goaltender Lucas Brine returned from international duty with a silver medal after playing a key role in Great Britain’s historic runners-up finish at the inaugural 3ICE World Cup in Belfast.
The 23-year-old netminder, who will join the Steelers ahead of the 2026-27 season, represented Great Britain in the eight-team tournament, gaining valuable experience against elite international opposition before arriving in Sheffield next month.
Brine was selected in Adam Keefe’s Great Britain squad alongside a number of Elite League standouts and quickly demonstrated the composure and athleticism that have established him as one of British hockey’s brightest young goaltenders. In the high tempo three on three format, where goaltenders are routinely exposed to odd-man rushes, breakaways and high danger scoring opportunities, Brine was called upon repeatedly throughout the weekend and answered the challenge.
Great Britain’s tournament began with a dramatic quarter final against Switzerland. After a thrilling contest ended 2-2 in regulation, Brine was called upon numerous times to keep GB in the game before the hosts prevailed 3-2 in the shootout to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Brine was again a calming presence between the pipes in Sunday’s semi-final against Germany. With the scores locked at 2-2 after regulation, Great Britain once more kept their nerve in the shootout, claiming another 3-2 victory to book their place in the championship game.
The final saw Great Britain take on a Finnish side featuring a wealth of former NHL and European talent. Finland proved worthy champions, skating to a 6-1 victory to claim the inaugural 3ICE World Cup, but Brine and his GB teammates could take immense pride from a remarkable tournament that ended with a historic silver medal.
For Brine, the weekend represented another significant milestone in his development. Competing against experienced international players in one of hockey’s fastest and most demanding formats provided invaluable experience that will only aid his continued progression ahead of his first season with the Steelers.
His performances throughout the tournament underlined the qualities that attracted Aaron Fox to the young goaltender earlier this summer. Calm under pressure, technically sound and confident in high pressure moments, Brine showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the country’s most promising British netminders.
Steelers supporters will no doubt be encouraged by what they saw from their new goaltender in Belfast. With two pressure-filled shootout victories helping Great Britain reach the final, Brine demonstrated the resilience, providing another exciting glimpse of what he can bring to the Utilita Arena this season.
Everyone at the Sheffield Steelers congratulates Lucas on an outstanding tournament with Great Britain and looks forward to welcoming him to Sheffield as preparations continue for the 2026-27 Elite League campaign.
You can sponsor Lucas Brine for the 26/27 season by clicking here : https://store.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/collections/44-brine
Photo credit : William Cherry