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Great Britain forward Mike Hammond says next month’s Euro Ice Hockey Challenge is vital preparation for this year’s World Championship.
The four-team tournament, which also involves Japan, Poland and Romania, takes place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th February.
GB face Japan at Planet Ice Milton Keynes on Friday 10th February (7pm), before hosting Poland at the Skydome Arena in Coventry on Saturday 11th February (7pm).
Great Britain’s final game is against Romania at Hammond’s home rink of the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Sunday 12th February (4pm).
“I think it’s very important ahead of the World Championship,” said the Nottingham Panthers forward. “All the players are on different club teams and so have a lot of different systems.
“It’s a short time but it’s good to get together, gel a bit and get to know new faces. But it’s more tactics and systems, it’s about getting on the right page.
“I think getting together for short stint here will be very beneficial for the World Championship.”
GB are hosting this year’s IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A in the UK, with matches taking place at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
Running from 29th April to 5th May, it will be one of the most prestigious international ice hockey events ever to be held on home ice with promotion on the line to the top division of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Great Britain, Italy, Lithuania, Korea, Poland and Romania will do battle with the top two sides being promoted to the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Czechia.
Euro Ice Hockey Challenge – schedule
Friday 10th February
Planet Ice, Milton Keynes: Great Britain v Japan – 7pm – click here to buy tickets
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Poland v Romania – 7pm – click here to buy tickets
Saturday 11th February
Planet Ice, Milton Keynes: Romania v Japan – 2:30pm – click here to buy tickets
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Poland v Great Britain – 7pm – click here to buy tickets
Sunday 12th February
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: Great Britain v Romania – 4pm – click here to buy tickets
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Japan v Poland – 5:30pm – click here to buy tickets