Luke Ferrara on standby as Pete Russell trims GB squad ahead of World Championships

The 22-year-old forward has enjoyed a stellar first full season as a professional for the Steelers, sealed by a memorable league title triumph at the weekend.

The former Peterborough Phantoms winger has scored 11 points, including five goals, in 64 games under former GB head coach Paul Thompson and was named in Russell’s initial 37-man squad last month.

He is now one of nine players on standby after Russell trimmed his roster ahead of two warm-up games against Poland before the team travel to Zagreb next month.

While Ferrara must wait to see if he is given a late call-up, his Steelers’ team-mate Robert Dowd has been recalled after being left out of the original squad due to injury.

Steelers’ captain, Jonathan Phillips and defenceman Ben O’Connor are retained.

Rotherham-born netminder Ben Bowns is also retained, as is Hull-born defenceman David Phillips, now playing with Manchester Storm.

Phillips’s Storm team-mate, Matty Davies, is alongside Ferrara on the reserve list.

The squad will have a three-day training camp in Coventry ahead of the two games, after which it will be reduced to the 23 players to travel to Zagreb.

They will play hosts Croatia, as well as Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania and Romania in Division 1B.

Stephen Murphy, Jonathan Weaver, Robert Dowd, Robert Farmer and Matt Haywood are recalled to the squad having missed the recent Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy through injury.

Recent new caps Sam Oakford and Ross Venus retain their places after debuting for the national team in Cortina.

Coach Russell will take a first look at former GB Under-20 internationals Lewis Hook and Jordan Cownie, along with Nottingham Panthers’ Challenge Cup overtime-winning hero Evan Mosey.

Russell has also appointed Coventry Blaze head coach Chuck Weber to the Great Britain coaching staff.

Weber and current assistant coach Tom Watkins will support Russell in the two games against Poland and at the World Championship.

“As a coaching team we have watched a lot of hockey since Cortina,” said Russell.

“Firstly, our main aim was to select the right team and select the right players for the right positions.

“This group has a mix of talent and age, and experience. We have also decided to involve the future in this squad and their levels will be tested at our pre-competition camp.

“For me, it’s the right time and they have every opportunity to work their way into the final 23.

“We have a great pre-tournament camp planned to pull everything together on and off the ice.

“Last year the games against Poland were huge for us and they are top-level opposition.

“To be honest, there are going to be some very tough decisions for our final 23. This competition will only make our team stronger and raise the levels even higher of every player each day at camp.

“I am also delighted to announce the addition of Chuck Weber to our coaching team.

“Chuck is very organised, has great knowledge of the game and his video analysis skills are unreal.

“During the last year I have got to know him more and more. He will be a great fit for our group. He will only make our coaching team stronger.”

GB will face Poland at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Saturday 9th April (7pm), while the two sides go head-to-head in the Skydome in Coventry the next day, Sunday 10th April (5:15pm).

GB SQUAD – Netminders: Ben Bowns - Cardiff Devils; Thomas Murdy - Telford Tigers; Stephen Murphy Belfast Giants

Defencemen: Josh Batch - Cardiff Devils; Mark Garside - Belfast Giants; Steve Lee - Nottingham Panthers; Sam Oakford - Nottingham Panthers; Ben O’Connor - Sheffield Steelers; David Phillips - Manchester Storm

Mark Richardson - Cardiff Devils; Paul Swindlehurst - Manchester Storm; Jonathan Weaver - Telford Tigers.

Forwards: Jonathan Boxill - Belfast Giants; David Clarke - Nottingham Panthers; Russell Cowley - Coventry Blaze; Jordan Cownie - Milton Keynes Lightning; Robert Dowd - Sheffield Steelers; Robert Farmer - Nottingham Panthers; Matt Haywood - Braehead Clan; Lewis Hook - Milton Keynes Lightning; Robert Lachowicz - Nottingham Panthers; Evan Mosey - Nottingham Panthers; Matthew Myers - Nottingham Panthers; Craig Peacock - Belfast Giants; Jonathan Phillips - Sheffield Steelers; Colin Shields - Belfast Giants; Ashley Tait - Coventry Blaze; Ross Venus - Coventry Blaze

Standby Reserves: Ben Davies - Braehead Clan; Matty Davies - Manchester Storm; Luke Ferrara - Sheffield Steelers; James Griffin Milton Keynes Lightning; Joey Lewis - Heilbronner Falken; Stevie Lyle - Swindon Wildcats; Craig Moore - ; Dundee Stars; Zach Sullivan - Braehead Clan; Mike Will - Cardiff Devils.