GB Vs. Austria, USA, Hungary, Switzerland, Finland, Latvia and Germany
Congratulations to both Robert Dowd and Cole Shudra who have been selected to play for Team GB at the World Championships at the end of the season.
Liam Steele has also been named as one of the reserves.
Great Britain have named their squad for the 2026 World Championship in Switzerland which is taking place from 15th to 31st May.
GB will face Austria, USA, Hungary, Switzerland, Finland, Latvia and Germany in the group stages at the 12,000-seater Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.
Group B – which is being held at the 9,000-seater BCF Arena in Fribourg, consists of Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia and Italy.
Six players are set to make their World Championship debut – netminder Mat Robson, defencemen Travis Brown, Kris Inglis and Brad Jenion and forwards Jack Hopkins and Sam Lyne.
Mat Robson
Robson is in his second season with Coventry Blaze (EIHL), having previously played in North America, Germany, France and Poland. At the start of his career, his performances in the NCAA earned him a contract with NHL Minnesota Wild. Robson, who turns 30 on Thursday, led the Blaze to the Challenge Cup Final this season.
Travis Brown
Brown is playing in his third year in the UK after first joining Belfast Giants (EIHL) for the 2023-24 season. He’s now in his second season with Guildford Flames (EIHL) and has been a standout performer on their blueline. The 32-year-old was selected in the 2012 NHL Draft by Chicago Blackhawks and has extensive experience across North America and Europe.
Kris Inglis
Dundee-born Inglis has played for his hometown club throughout his career. The 27-year-old defenceman, who represented Scotland as a junior, is currently back for his ninth season with the Dundee Stars (EIHL). He made six appearances for GB in the European Cup of Nations this season, scoring against Italy in Poland in November.
Brad Jenion
Jenion spent the majority of his junior and college career in North America, including playing for Trine University in the NCAA. The 28-year-old represented GB U18s and U20s as a junior and this season returned to the UK to sign for Manchester Storm (EIHL).
Jack Hopkins
Hopkins was part of the GB NextGen Programme last season and attended the pre-World Championship camp in Nottingham. The 21-year-old forward, who plays for Coventry Blaze (EIHL), is a former GB junior captain. He made six appearances for GB in the European Cup of Nations this season, scoring in the 5-4 victory over Poland in Edinburgh in February.
Sam Lyne
Lyne played for both GB U18s and U20s and has spent his junior and college hockey career in North America, playing this year with Cranbrook Bucks in the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League. The 20-year-old exciting young forward was part of this season’s GB squad in the European Cup of Nations tournaments in Sosnowiec and Edinburgh.
Great Britain to face Italy as part of World Championship build-up
GB will play four matches, including two in the UK, against Italy as part of World Championship preparations.
Pete Russell’s side go head-to-head with Italy at Planet Ice Milton Keynes on Thursday 30th April (19:30 face-off) and the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday 2nd May (19:00 face-off).
They will then finish the four-game series with two matches in Varese in Italy on Sunday 10th May and Tuesday 12th May. Ticket information for these games will be announced by the Italian Ice Hockey Federation soon.
GREAT BRITAIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SQUAD Netminders: Ben Bowns (Cardiff Devils), Mat Robson (Coventry Blaze), Jackson Whistle (Belfast Giants). Defence: Travis Brown (Guildford Flames), David Clements (Coventry Blaze), Nathanael Halbert (Olimpija Ljubljana – ICEHL, Slovenia), Joe Hazeldine (Glasgow Clan), Kris Inglis (Dundee Stars), Brad Jenion (Manchester Storm), Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils), Josh Tetlow (Nottingham Panthers). Forwards: Ollie Betteridge (Nottingham Panthers), Johnny Curran (Dundee Stars), Ben Davies (Cardiff Devils), Robert Dowd (Sheffield Steelers), Jack Hopkins (Coventry Blaze), Liam Kirk (Eisbaren Berlin – DEL, Germany), Robert Lachowicz (Glasgow Clan), Sam Lyne (Cranbrook Bucks – BCHL, Canada), Cade Neilson (Glasgow Clan), Logan Neilson (Fife Flyers), Sean Norris (Milton Keynes Lightning), Brett Perlini (Cardiff Devils), Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steelers), Josh Waller (Guildford Flames).
Reserves: Netminder – Lucas Brine (Glasgow Clan). Defence: Liam Steele (Sheffield Steeldogs/Sheffield Steelers). Forwards: Sam Duggan (Cardiff Devils), Bayley Harewood (Cardiff Devils)