Neilson and Russell to assist newly-appointed Christiansen

Corey Neilson and Pete Russell have this morning been named as assistant coaches of the Great Britain national side, and will link up with new head coach, Doug Christiansen.

Neilson is about to embark on his sixth season as coach of Elite League side Nottingham Panthers.

The Canadian-born 36-year-old has won four Challenge Cups, three play-off titles and one Elite League title since taking over at the National Ice Centre in 2008-09.

He was named as the league’s Coach of the Year last season as Panthers picked up three trophies.

Neilson was a third-round NHL draft pick for Edmonton Oilers in 1994 and has played in the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League, as well as a stint in Germany.

He linked up with the Panthers as a player in 2006-07, winning the play-offs and Challenge Cup in his first two seasons on the roster, before taking over as coach from Mike Ellis.

Neilson said: “I am so pleased to be involved in the national side and look forward to working with Doug and Pete.

“I have a great passion for Great Britain, so it is very special to be appointed as assistant coach.

“I am very keen to develop British talent and to continue the work I have done with British players at the Panthers and those, such as Robert Lachowicz, who previously attended my Teen Ranch training camp in Canada.”

Russell first worked in the GB set-up with the Under-18s, before a taking charge of the Under-20s from 2005 to 2010.

He was appointed back to the role as Under-20s head coach in May and will take the youngsters to special European tournament in Lithuania next month ahead of December’s World Championship in Dumfries.

Russell also had spells as coach of EPL clubs Swindon Wildcats, Bracknell Bees and Slough Jets.

The Ayr-born former netminder was voted the Ice Hockey Journalists’ Coach of the Year in 2009-10 when in charge at Slough. He is also currently coach of the Swindon-based Okanagan Hockey School UK.

Russell said: “I am so proud to take up a role with the senior men’s national side. To be recognised in this way is very special and I can’t wait to get started.

“It is going to be a busy time for me with Great Britain with the two tournaments this year with the Under-20s, followed by the work with the senior squad.

“But it is very exciting and a huge honour to be asked to be assistant coach and to work with Doug and Corey.”

Head coach Christiansen added: “Although Corey and I are rivals on the ice, we have become good friends off it.

“He has had a tremendous amount of success in the EIHL and has international experience. He is an intelligent hockey man, who has consistently had quality offensive teams with an excellent powerplay. He is a real student of the game.

“In my short dealings with Pete Russell, he has impressed me with his passions and skill-set. He is one of Britain’s up and coming coaches.

“He will have a big part in the future of the British game. He will be relied upon to help prepare the next generation of national team players. while pushing the current team to Division 1A.”

Ice Hockey UK general secretary, Andy French, said: “Corey and Pete will bring a lot to the senior men’s side.

“I would like to welcome them to the GB set-up and I think the pair of them and Doug will made a great team.

“Corey is a proven successful coach at the top level in the UK and is so keen to join the GB national program.

“Pete has been involved in the GB set-up for a number of years and, of course, was recently appointed back as Under-20s coach. He has coached many of the current Great Britain squad at a younger level and will now bring the new crop through. He is a great coach and it is fantastic to have involved even more with GB.”