GB places up for grabs ahead of Vilnius trip

Christiansen was assistant coach to Tony Hand when the national team were relegated from Division 1A without winning a game last year, although they will head to Vilnius, Lithuania on April 20 as favourites to win promotion back to the second tier at the first time of asking.

Christiansen, sacked as Sheffield Steelers head coach earlier this season, was named as bench coach for Gardiner Conference champions Dundee Stars for the remainder of the season last week, but know how difficult it will be to whittle his 35-man provisional squad down to a 23-strong roster next month.

“The way players will get to the training camp is by playing well and to be healthy,” he said.

“The coaching staff will be looking at the whole group on the long list – you want guys vying for their spots.”

GB have two warm-up games scheduled against Vilnius rivals the Netherlands on April 12 and 13, after which Christiansen will reduce his squad to the permitted 23 bodies in time for a week-long training camp ahead of their flight out to Lithuania.