Great Britain have named their team for next month’s IIHF European Cup of Nations at the Arcelor Mittal Park rink in Sosnowiec.
GB will take on hosts Poland, along with Italy and Slovenia, in the four-team tournament from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 November.
Netminder Renny Marr, defenders Kell Beattie, Kris Inglis, Reece Kelly and Liam Steele will be part of the GB matchday roster for the first time, along with forwards Mason Alderson, Bayley Harewood, Jack Hopkins, Patrick Larkin, Sam Lyne, Jonathan McBean and Kyle Watson.
Henry Staelens, CEO of Ice Hockey UK, 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 have put in to get here.
“We have a brilliant core of players who have achieved significant success for Great Britain in recent years. Now we must work to find the future stars who can complement that group, especially as we work towards 2030 Olympic qualification.”
“Thank you to the Elite League and National League for their cooperation during the selection process.”
Grant King, IHUK COO & Interim Performance Director, said: “This squad combines exciting young players with core experience and every selection is deserved.
“The IIHF European Cup of Nations will give them quality minutes, the chance to showcase their talent and a route 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.”
Twelve new faces
Mason Alderson
After starting his junior career at Guildford and Chelmsford, Alderson played in North America with Castleton University (NCAA). The 24-year-old forward captained GB at junior level and signed for EIHL side Fife Flyers this season after two years with Solway Sharks (NIHL).
Kell Beattie
Belfast-born Beattie got her first taste of senior hockey with Solway Sharks (NIHL) and also played for Belfast Giants (EIHL). The 21-year-old defender has represented GB at under-18 and under-20 level, winning two bronze and one silver medal.
Bayley Harewood
Harewood played junior hockey in Cardiff before moving to North America to attend the Canadian International Hockey Academy. The 22-year-old forward, who represented GB as a junior, returned to Great Britain in 2019 and is currently on a two-way contract with Cardiff Devils (EIHL) and Bristol Pitbulls (NIHL).
Jack Hopkins
Hopkins was part of the GB NextGen program last season and attended the pre-World Cup camp in Nottingham. The 21-year-old forward, who plays for Coventry Blaze (EIHL), is a former GB junior captain and has won one silver and three bronze medals in four tournaments.
Kris Inglis
Dundee-born Inglis has played his entire career for his hometown club. The 27-year-old defender, who represented Scotland as a junior, is currently back for his ninth season with the Dundee Stars (EIHL).
Ree Kelly
After attending the Ontario Hockey Academy in Canada, Kelly played in the highly ranked junior leagues in Finland and Norway. The 24-year-old returned to Great Britain to play for Bristol Pitbulls (NIHL) and after a spell with Glasgow Clan (EIHL), the defender now plays for Sheffield Steelers (EIHL).
Patrick Larkin
Larkin also attended the pre-World Cup camp in Nottingham last season as part of the NextGen programme. The 24-year-old defender spent his junior career developing his skills in Canada. Larkin now plays for McGill University in the highly ranked USports league.
Sam Lyne
Lyne played for both GB U18s and U20s and has spent his junior and university hockey career in North America. The 20-year-old, exciting young forward is playing with the Cranbrook Bucks in the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League this year.
Renny Marr
Marr started his career with Fife Flyers (EIHL) and Kirkcaldy Kestrels (SNL) before joining Coventry Blaze (EIHL). The 28-year-old netminder represented GB as a junior and is now in his eighth season with Swindon Wildcats (NIHL).
Jonathan McBean
McBean came through Dundee’s junior system and has since been with his hometown club, along with a brief spell in a two-way deal with Solway Sharks. The 21-year-old forward is a former GB U20 international and won a silver medal in 2023.
Liam Steele
Steele played in the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League as a youngster and also represented GB at under-18 and under-20 level. The 21-year-old highly rated defender signed a two-way contract with Sheffield Steeldogs (NIHL) and Sheffield Steelers (EIHL) this season.
Kyle Watson
After coming through Sheffield’s junior system, Watson spent much of his junior career in the US before playing college hockey for Trine University in the NCAA. The 25-year-old forward returned to Britain ahead of the new season to sign for NIHL side Sheffield Steeldogs.
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