Great Britain Head Coach Pete Russell has named his 25-player squad for the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland.

The 16-team tournament takes place in Tampere and Helsinki from 13th to 29th May.

GB are based in Tampere and will face Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and the USA in Group B.

Matches will take place at the newly-built 13,500-seater Nokia Arena.

There are first call-ups for Cardiff Devils forward Josh Waller, along with 20-year-old Cade Neilson who plays for Aberdeen Wings in the NAHL in North America – both of whom who previously played on the same GB U20s team.

Brendan Connolly, Liam Kirk and Steve Lee are all unavailable for selection because of injury.

Ollie Betteridge’s selection will be dependent on him recovering from injury.

Russell, said: “Despite a few injuries to key players, I really like the squad we are taking to Finland.

“As ever, competition for places was tough and I am sure there will be some disappointed players who have missed out.

“We now firmly know what it takes to be competitive at this level and we can build on what we achieved at the past two tournaments.

“Once again, it will be a massive moment in the careers of these players to wear the GB shirt at a top-level tournament against some of the best teams in the world.

“One thing we wanted to do was add Josh (Waller) and Cade (Neilson) as they are the future and two talented young men who deserve this chance. This is going to be a great opportunity and experience for them both.”

GB’s camp gets under way on Tuesday 3rd May and Russell’s side will have four matches ahead of the World Championship.

After playing Italy in Milton Keynes on Thursday 5th May, GB will face Denmark in Coventry on Saturday 7th May and also in Nottingham on Sunday 8th May.

The final UK international game takes place against Italy in Coventry on Tuesday 10th May – the day before GB depart for Finland.

Netminders
Ben Bowns – Dukla Trencin, Slovakia
Jordan Hedley – Coventry Blaze
Jackson Whistle – Belfast Giants

Defence
Josh Batch – Cardiff Devils
David Clements – Coventry Blaze
Sam Jones – Sheffield Steelers
Evan Mosey – Sheffield Steelers
Ben O’Connor – Csikszerda, Romania
David Phillips – Sheffield Steelers
Mark Richardson – Cardiff Devils
Josh Tetlow – Nottingham Panthers

Forwards
Ollie Betteridge – Nottingham Panthers
Scott Conway – Belfast Giants
Ben Davies – Cardiff Devils
Robert Dowd – Sheffield Steelers
Sam Duggan – Cardiff Devils
Mike Hammond – Hannover Scorpions, Germany
Lewis Hook – Belfast Giants
Robert Lachowicz – Guildford Flames
Ben Lake – Belfast Giants
Matthew Myers – Nottingham Panthers
Cade Neilson – Aberdeen Wings, NAHL
Brett Perlini – Ringerike, Norway
Jonathan Phillips – Sheffield Steelers
Josh Waller – Cardiff Devils

Reserves
Netminders: Ben Churchfield (Vermilion County Bobcats, SPHL), Brython Preece (Dundee Stars). Defence: Dallas Ehrhardt (Manchester Storm), Joe Hazeldine (Manchester Storm). Forwards: Jordan Cownie (Guildford Flames), Luke Ferrara (Coventry Blaze), Mac Howlett (Guildford Flames), Jordan Kelsall (Nottingham Panthers), Ross Venus (Coventry Blaze), Brandon Whistle (Sheffield Steelers).