Hand announces final GB Ice Hockey squad for Worlds

GB Ice Hockey head coach Tony Hand today announced his 22-man squad for the upcoming World Championship (Division 1A) in Budapest.

GB begin their training camp this morning, before flying out on Friday for the six-team tournament which runs from 14th to 20th April 2013.

This is the first major competition since failing to qualify for next year’s Winter Olympics, and will begin their quest for promotion to the top flight with a match against the hosts Hungary on Sunday, followed by games against Kazakhstan, Italy, Japan and Korea.

Hand said: “All games are tough at this level and they will be five difficult games for us throughout the tournament.

“We are taking a strong team away with us, even though we have key guys out.

“I would love the team to come away with a medal.

“We are looking forward to the three-day camp now and get ourselves prepared for an important week.”

GB’S FULL 22-MAN SQUAD

Netminders

  • Ben Bowns (Hull Stingrays)
  • Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants)

Defencemen

  • Luke Boothroyd (Manchester Phoenix)
  • Stevie Lee (Nottingham Panthers)
  • Danny Meyers (Sheffield Steelers)
  • David Phillips (Belfast Giants)
  • Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils)
  • Mark Thomas (Sheffield Steelers)
  • Jonathan Weaver (Nottingham Panthers)

Forwards

  • David Clarke (Nottingham Panthers) 
  • Ben Davies (Cardiff Devils)
  • Robert Dowd (Troja Ljungby)
  • Robert Farmer (Braehead Clan)
  • Phil Hill (Cardiff Devils)
  • Robert Lachowicz (Nottingham Panthers)
  • Matthew Myers (Nottingham Panthers)
  • Aaron Nell (Swindon Wildcats)
  • Greg Owen (Basingstoke Bison)
  • Craig Peacock (Belfast Giants)
  • Jonathan Phillips (Sheffield Steelers)
  • Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)
  • Ashley Tait (Sheffield Steelers)