Great Britain forward Matthew Myers has announced his retirement from international ice hockey.
It brings down the curtain on a glittering GB career which has seen him play in 19 World Championship tournaments and five Olympic Qualifiers.
Myers made 114 appearances for his country in total, the second-highest of all-time behind Jonathan Phillips (116 caps), scoring 22 goals and 21 assists for 43 points.
After scoring 31 points in 15 games for GB at under-20 and under-18 level, Myers made his full debut at the 2004 World Championship Division I Group A in Oslo, Norway.
He scored his first goal in a 6-0 victory over Belgium on the final day of the tournament which helped secure GB’s safety.
The Cardiff-born forward has never missed a World Championship since and was part of GB’s gold medal-winning campaigns in Belfast (2017), Hungary (2018) and Nottingham (2023).
Myers also won silver medals in 2011, 2015 and 2016, as well as a bronze in 2009.
He played in three successive top-flight World Championship tournaments, starting with Slovakia in 2019.
In 2021, he scored against Czechia in Latvia on the day he won his 100th cap and Myers also netted against Austria at the 2022 tournament in Finland.
His final international game was last May’s 5-3 victory over Italy which secured GB promotion back to the top level of the World Championship.
Myers said: “It has been an honour to play for GB and I have loved every minute of it. The successes we have had always make me smile, the memories make me happy.
“The team has always been built on a group of guys who revel as underdogs and don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s no egos and we are all on the same page.
“I am going to miss that GB atmosphere, the laughs and the jokes. That’s what I am going to miss the most, the boys, but 19 years is pretty good going.”
GB Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “Matthew has been an outstanding servant through his GB career at all levels. He is a bull and played a style of game that not many guys play anymore. Personally, I was really fortunate to have had him on our roster for so many years.
“He’s been a huge part of GB and our unique team spirit for so many years. He loved going to battle with his team-mates. He was so proud of the playing for his country and it’s been a pleasure to be in the journey with him.
“I thank Matthew for his commitment, his loyalty and wish him and Nyree nothing but every success moving forward.”
Ice Hockey UK General Secretary, Andy French, said: “I have known Matthew for over 20 years and it has been an honour to watch him play.
“He’s been a key part of our success over the years and is one of the best players this country has ever produced. He will be missed that’s for sure. I am sure our paths will cross again in some capacity in this magic sport we all love.”
IHUK Chief Executive, Henry Staelens, said: “I’d like to congratulate Matthew on an outstanding international career.
“He is an inspiration to any young player and on behalf of Ice Hockey UK, I’d like to wish him all the best for the future.”
