Following Japan’s relegation from Division 1A of the World Championship, Great Britain now know the five teams they will face at next year’s Division 1B tournament.
As well as facing Japan, GB will once again come up against Lithuania, Croatia and Estonia – and are joined by Netherlands who were promoted from Division 2A at the first time of asking.
Despite there still being a game remaining in the current Division 1A tournament in Poland, winless Japan have already been relegated after four matches.
They cannot catch Poland or Italy ahead of them with both sides on six points.
Netherlands hosted Division 1B last time they were at the third level of international ice hockey in 2015, but were relegated on home ice.
However, they were promoted back earlier this month at the Division 2A in Spain when they pipped the hosts by picking four regulation times wins and an overtime win.