Great Britain has finalized its roster for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, featuring six players making their debut on the international stage.
Coventry Blaze goaltender Mat Robson, 29, headlines the list of newcomers, joining the national squad for the first time after gaining eligibility. The former Minnesota Wild prospect has impressed with a .922 save percentage over 37 regular-season games in his second Elite League season.
Defenceman Travis Brown, 32, also earns his first call-up since switching international allegiances. He contributed 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 50 regular-season matches for the Guildford Flames.
Other debutants include Dundee-born Kris Inglis, 27, and defenceman Brad Jenion, 28, whose last national team call-up was in 2018. Forward Jack Hopkins from Coventry Blaze and Sam Lyne, a Colgate University commit for the 2026-27 NCAA season, are also stepping up from the U20 national team ranks.
Roster Analysis: Great Britain’s Chances in 2026 IIHF World Championship
Returning to the World Championship’s top division, Team GB is poised to make an impact. Placed in Group A alongside Austria and Hungary, head coach Pete Russell’s team has a realistic opportunity to avoid relegation, backed by a strong player selection.
Robson’s inclusion is a significant boost for Team GB. The Mississauga-born goaltender has been instrumental for the Blaze, leading them to the Challenge Cup final with an impressive .922 regular-season save percentage. His commanding 6-foot-3 presence and consistent ability to keep his team in contention will be crucial, especially as he competes with Ben Bowns and Jackson Whistle for playing minutes.
Brown is expected to bolster Team GB’s defense with his two-way play and professional experience, joining seasoned blueliners like Mark Richardson and Nathanael Halbert. Liam Kirk remains a vital component for the team’s top-tier survival. The Maltby native had an exceptional season, tallying 55 points (32 goals, 23 assists) in 52 DEL games, placing him fifth in overall league scoring.
While remaining in the top division is a challenging feat for Team GB, the current roster shows strong potential to secure their position and avoid an immediate drop back to Division 1A.
Team Great Britain’s 2026 IIHF World Championship Roster
Goaltenders:
- Ben Bowns (Cardiff Devils)
- Mat Robson (Coventry Blaze)
- Jackson Whistle (Belfast Giants)
Defencemen:
- Travis Brown (Guildford Flames)
- David Clements (Coventry Blaze)
- Nathanael Halbert (Olimpija Ljubljana, ICEHL)
- Joe Hazeldine (Glasgow Clan)
- Kris Inglis (Dundee Stars)
- Brad Jenion (Manchester Storm)
- Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils)
- Josh Tetlow (Nottingham Panthers)
Forwards:
- Ollie Betteridge (Nottingham Panthers)
- Johnny Curran (Dundee Stars)
- Ben Davies (Cardiff Devils)
- Robert Dowd (Sheffield Steelers)
- Jack Hopkins (Coventry Blaze)
- Liam Kirk (Eisbaren Berlin, DEL)
- Robert Lachowicz (Glasgow Clan)
- Sam Lyne (Cranbrook Bucks, BCHL)
- Cade Neilson (Glasgow Clan)
- Logan Neilson (Fife Flyers)
- Sean Norris (Milton Keynes Lightning)
- Brett Perlini (Cardiff Devils)
- Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steelers)
- Josh Waller (Guildford Flames)
2026 IIHF World Championship Schedule for Team Great Britain
- Saturday, May 16: Great Britain vs. Austria (11:20)
- Sunday, May 17: Great Britain vs. USA (11:20)
- Tuesday, May 19: Hungary vs. Great Britain (19:20)
- Thursday, May 21: Switzerland vs. Great Britain (19:20)
- Friday, May 22: Finland vs. Great Britain (19:20)
- Sunday, May 24: Great Britain vs. Latvia (15:20)
