Dowd & Shudra Confirmed in GB Squad

Steelers Duo Head to Pre-Olympic Tournament

GB face Japan, Norway and hosts Denmark in Group F from 29th August to 1st September.

Pete Russell’s side begin the tournament against Denmark on Thursday and face Norway the following day.

GB’s final game of the four-team tournament is next Sunday against Japan.

Group D, which is being held in Bratislava, consists of Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Austria and Hungary. Group E, taking place in Riga, will see Latvia host France, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Each group winner will progress through to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Roster

Netminders: Ben Bowns (Cardiff Devils), Jackson Whistle (Belfast Giants). Emergency Reserve Netminder: Lucas Brine (Glasgow Clan). Defence: Josh Batch (Cardiff Devils), Nathanael Halbert (HKM Zvolen), Evan Mosey (Cardiff Devils), Ben O’Connor (Dundee Stars), David Phillips (Hull Seahawks), Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils), Sam Ruopp (ERC Ingolstadt), Josh Tetlow (Nottingham Panthers). Forwards: Ollie Betteridge (Nottingham Panthers), Ben Davies (Cardiff Devils), Robert Dowd (Sheffield Steelers), Sam Duggan (Cardiff Devils), Liam Kirk (Eisbären Berlin), Robert Lachowicz (Glasgow Clan), Ben Lake (Belfast Giants), Cade Neilson (Glasgow Clan), Sean Norris (Guildford Flames), Brett Perlini (Cardiff Devils), Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steelers), Josh Waller (Guildford Flames).

Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “This is our biggest test since I have been in this role.

“It’s a super hard challenge to play Pool A nations after eight months of a season, nevermind with such short preparation time, but our players will give it everything they have.

“We can only take 20 players and three goalies, so there were some really hard decisions and some great people will not be with us this time.

“I take my hats off to the staff and players for everything and all their efforts this week – and we will do everything we can to make the country proud.”

All of GB’s games will be shown live on Premier Sports with commentary from Olympic commentator Aaron Murphy and former Grand Slam Steeler Paul Adey.

FIXTURES

Thursday 29th August

Norway v Japan – 15:30 face-off (14:30 BST)

Denmark v Great Britain – 19:30 face-off (18:30)

Friday 30th August

Norway v Great Britain – 15:30 face-off (14:30)

Japan v Denmark – 19:30 face-off (18:30)

Sunday 1st September

Great Britain v Japan – 12:30 face-off (11:30)

Denmark v Norway – 16:30 face-off (15:30)

ENDS