With just a week to go until Great Britain start their 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship campaign in Zurich, Head Coach Pete Russell has been forced into making a number of changes to his squad.
Forward Bayley Harewood will replace Sam Lyne in the Great Britain squad. Lyne’s domestic team Cranbrook Bucks have progressed to the BCHL playoffs. (Bucks eventually lost the series to Brooks Bandits on 8th May).
Harewood played in last Saturday night’s 4-1 victory over Italy at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
The 22-year-old played all six games for GB in the IIHF European Cup of Nations last season, scoring against Slovenia at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “To lose Sam Lyne is disappointing as he is a really good young talent, but we fully understand his playoff situation in North America and wish him every success.
“With Sam now staying at home with his team we have called up Bayley Harewood. Bayley is a really talented player and we are delighted he has joined our group. He is really excited and this is his chance to show up on the biggest stage.”
Defenceman Archie Hazeldine and forward Ivan Björkly Nordström joined the Great Britain squad in Italy this weekend after Sean Norris had to withdraw because of injury.
Norris was injured in the opening challenge game in Milton Keynes and will now miss the World Championship in Switzerland.
The decision on a replacement for Norris will be made in the coming days ahead of GB’s opening game of the tournament against Austria in Zurich next Saturday (16th May).
Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “It’s a huge disappointment to lose Sean and we know how gutted he is. We all send him our best wishes.
“Archie and Ivan will travel with us to Italy and this is a great opportunity for them. We will make the final selection decision in the coming days to complete our 25-man squad.”