Genting Casino Coventry Blaze pair #15 Jack Hopkins and #21 Archie Hazeldine have been called up to Team Great Britain for next month’s IIHF European Cup of Nations at the Arcelor Mittal Park ice rink in Sosnowiec
GB will face hosts Poland, along with Italy and Slovenia, in the four-team tournament from Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th November.
Netminder Renny Marr, defencemen Kell Beattie, Kris Inglis, Reece Kelly and Liam Steele are set to be part of GB matchday roster for the first time, along with forwards Hopkins, Mason Alderson, Bayley Harewood, Patrick Larkin, Sam Lyne, Jonathan McBean and Kyle Watson.
Ice Hockey UK CEO, Henry Staelens, said: “This is an important moment for GB. All the players receiving their first call-up fully deserve this opportunity and we are proud of each and every one of them for the work they’ve put in to get here.
“We have a brilliant core of players that have achieved significant successes for Great Britain over the past few years. Now we must work to find the future stars that are able to complement that group, especially as we work towards 2030 Olympic qualifying.
“Thank you to the Elite League and National League for the collaboration during selection.”
Grant King, IHUK COO & Interim Performance Director, said: “This squad blends exciting young players with core experience and every selection has been earned.
“The IIHF European Cup of Nations will give them high-quality minutes, the chance to show their talent and a pathway to compete for places at next year’s World Championship in Zurich and beyond.”
GB Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “This is an exciting moment for the young players who will make their GB debuts at this tournament.
“We are taking a handful of senior players to this tournament and they will be important in the development of the young players.
“These young players are our future and this is a great opportunity for them to experience ice hockey on the international stage.”
