Elite League

Team Great Britain selects youthful 2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations roster

By Luke James

Posted on 29th January 2026

Liam Kirk, Team GB (Image: Dean Woolley)

Team Great Britain head coach Pete Russell has named his 24-man squad for the 2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations.

Team GB will host Ukraine, Slovenia, and Poland during the three-day tournament in Edinburgh, with Russell mixing youth and experience for the season’s second international camp.

Netminder Ben Clarke-Leach receives his first senior call-up after claiming a silver medal at the U20 World Championship earlier this month.

Jake Hayward, Rhodes Mitchell-King, and Alex Rimko are set to make their blueline debuts, while forwards Ivan Björkly Nordström, Finley Bradon, Brynley Capps and Austin Mitchell-King are also included for the first time.

Liam Kirk, Ben Bowns, and Jackson Whistle provide the lion’s share of experience.

Team Great Britain captain Robert Dowd sits out IIHF European Cup of Nations:

Great Britain and Sheffield Steelers captain Robert Dowd is a notable omission for the squad, albeit due to personal reasons.

“This is a really exciting squad with some experienced players mixed with some of our brightest young talent,” said Dowd.

Robert Dowd, Team GB (Image: Dean Woolley)

“I was looking forward to being part of the roster but we have just had a beautiful little addition to the family with the birth of a baby boy and I feel I cannot be away in these early stages for an extended period of time.

“I’d like to wish the guys good luck and I am excited for the World Championship in Switzerland which is under four months away now.”

Grant King, interim chief executive officer of Ice Hockey UK, added: “Developing the next generation means giving talented young players meaningful exposure to the senior environment, learning from established internationals, training at the required level, and being challenged day-to-day by the standards around them.

“It’s a clear reflection of our philosophy, bringing young talent into the group while still surrounding them with proven leaders.”

2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations: Team Great Britain Roster

Netminders: Ben Bowns (Cardiff Devils, EIHL), Lucas Brine (Glasgow Clan, EIHL), Ben Clarke-Leach (Swindon Wildcats, NIHL), Jackson Whistle (Belfast Giants, EIHL)

Defenceman: David Clements (Coventry Blaze, EIHL), Nathanael Halbert (Olimpija Ljubjana, ICEHL), Jake Hayward (Red River Spartans, USHL), Kris Inglis (Dundee Stars, EIHL), Rhodes Mitchell-King (Telford Tigers, NIHL), Alex Rimko (Dulka Michalovce, Slovak Extraliga) Josh Tetlow (Nottingham Panthers, EIHL)

Forwards: Ivan Björkly Nordström (Sheffield Steeldogs, NIHL), Finley Bradon (Leeds Knights, NIHL), Brynley Capps (Telford Tigers, NIHL), Johnny Curran (Nottingham Panthers, EIHL), Bayley Harewood (Bristol Pitbulls, NIHL), Jack Hopkins (Coventry Blaze, EIHL), Liam Kirk (Eisbären Berlin, German DEL), Sam Lyne (Cranbrook Bucks, BCHL), Patrick Larkin (McGill University, Canadian USports), Austin Mitchell-King (Glasgow Clan, EIHL), Logan Neilson (Fife Flyers, EIHL), Sean Norris (Milton Keynes Lightning, NIHL), Josh Waller (Guildford Flames, EIHL)