Telford Tigers defenceman Jonathan Weaver says the current Great Britain squad is in the best shape for a number of years.
GB have arrived in Zagreb ahead of their World Championship (Division 1B) tournament, which begins for Pete Russell’s side on Sunday with a game against hosts Croatia.
Britain then face Estonia, Lithuania and Romania before rounding off the six-team group with a game against Ukraine, who were relegated from Division 1A last year.
Weaver said: “We basically have a fully-fit squad out here in Zagreb, apart from the withdrawal of Stephen Murphy.
“There is a lot of competitiveness in the squad these days and that was shown by the quality players who sadly had to miss out.
“It is a very positive mood in the camp and we are looking forward to getting on the ice here now.
“We had an excellent training camp in Coventry, with two great games against Poland, but now we want to get the tournament started.”
Weaver scored twice at the weekend as GB lost to Poland in overtime on Saturday at the National Ice Centre, before winning in overtime on Sunday in Coventry.
He is set to win his 88th cap in Sunday’s game against Croatia after first pulling on a GB shirt in the 1998 World Championship.
“I still get the same proud feeling when I pull on a GB shirt as I did back then,” added Weaver.
“It is a honour that is very special to me and I want it to last for as long as possible.”