How home advantage could help Great Britain's ice hockey heroes reach the 2026 Winter Olympics

WITH memories of their recent home success in the World Championships still fresh in their minds, Great Britain’s ice hockey team have been handed another chance to use familiar ice to their advantage early next year.
By Phil Harrison
Published 6th Oct 2023, 11:05 GMT
Updated 6th Oct 2023, 11:24 GMT

Pete Russell’s team will play host in the pre-qualification round of the Olympic Qualifiers at Cardiff’s Vindico Arena from February 8-11.

They will come up against Romania, China and a qualifier yet to be determined from the previous round.

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The group winners will then progress to final qualifying in August 2024 when a spot for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will be up for grabs.

GOLDEN GLORY: GB's players - including Sheffield Steelers' captain Rob Dowd (right) - celebrate their gold medal success in the World Championships Division 1A tournament in Nottingham earlier this tear - securing promotion back to the top tier of the international game at the first attempt. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley/Ice Hockey UKGOLDEN GLORY: GB's players - including Sheffield Steelers' captain Rob Dowd (right) - celebrate their gold medal success in the World Championships Division 1A tournament in Nottingham earlier this tear - securing promotion back to the top tier of the international game at the first attempt. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley/Ice Hockey UK
GOLDEN GLORY: GB's players - including Sheffield Steelers' captain Rob Dowd (right) - celebrate their gold medal success in the World Championships Division 1A tournament in Nottingham earlier this tear - securing promotion back to the top tier of the international game at the first attempt. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley/Ice Hockey UK

It’s the second time in four years that the UK has held this stage of the Olympic Qualifiers, with Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena hosting the tournament in February 2020, GB missing out as Hungary progressed at their expense when winning the final game of the tournament 4-1.

But home ice proved a massive advantage more recently when GB returned to Nottingham in May in their attempt to gain a return to the top tier of the international game at the first time of asking.

They were able to do so and in some style, too, winning all five games, including the decider against Italy when they triumphed 5-3.

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Henry Staelens, chair of Ice Hockey UK, said: “It’s going to be a special event and great to be taking GB Men’s competitive hockey to Cardiff, who have been really good to work with during our conversations with them.

“I’m sure the fans will pack the place out and create a brilliant atmosphere as we aim to progress to the next round.”

Cardiff Devils MD, Todd Kelman, whos team play their Elite League games at the Vindico Arena, added: “We are pleased to be able to host such a prestigious event. We look forward to working with Ice Hockey UK to bring this tournament to Vindico Arena and hopefully have plenty of fans cheering on GB.”

Full details, including schedule and ticket prices, will be released in the coming weeks.

Related topics:Great BritainCardiffItalyNottinghamPete RussellChina