Great Britain head coach Pete Russell has had to make a change in his 28-man squad following an injury to Belfast Giants netminder Jackson Whistle.

Whistle will be replaced by Cardiff Devils netminder Thomas Murdy for the upcoming training camp and two matches against Poland.

GB will face Poland at the National Ice Centre on Friday 14th April (7:30pm) and the following day in Coventry’s Skydome on Saturday 15th April (1pm), before the squad will be cut to the final 23 players.

The camp and two games form part of both teams’ preparations for their respective World Championship tournaments, with GB playing on home ice in Belfast from 23rd to 29th April.

Russell said: “It is a disappointment to lose Jackson Whistle and I know he is disappointed to miss out on a chance to go to a World Championship.

“But we know all about Thomas Murdy and what he can do. He is an exceptional netminder and will push Ben Bowns and Stephen Murphy all the way.

“He has been part of a 23-man World Championship squad before and I had no hesitation in calling him into the squad.”