Ice Hockey
Journalists UK
Great Britain Rosters
1910

World Championships Pool (B) 6th place finish overall

Known to be Canadian born players

Goalie Bill Morrison Paisley Pirates
Goalie Stephen Foster Newcastle Cobras
Goalie Stevie Lyle Kindersley
Defence Rick Strachan Basingstoke Bison
Defence Jason Stone Cardiff Devils
Defence Shannon Hope (C) Cardiff Devils
Defence Paul Dixon Newcastle Cobras
Defence Paul Thompson Guildford Flames
Defence Mike Bishop Nottingham Panthers
Defence Rob Wilson Sheffield Steelers
Defence Darren 'Doc' Durdle Eisbaren Berlin
Forward Kevin Conway Basingstoke Bison
Forward Ian Cooper Cardiff Devils
Forward Doug McEwen Cardiff Devils
Forward Steve Moria Cardiff Devils
Forward Ashley Tait Kingston Hawks
Forward Rick Brebrant Manchester Storm
Forward Jonathon Weaver Newcastle Cobras
Forward Paul Adey Nottingham Panthers
Forward Neil Morgan Nottingham Panthers
Forward Randall Weber Nottingham Panthers
Forward Nicky Chinn Sheffield Steelers
Forward David Longstaff Sheffield Steelers
Coach Peter Woods Basingstoke Bison
Asst Coach Paul Heavey Cardiff Devils
Manager Andy French Cardiff Devils

World Championships, Pool B – 1998 in Slovenia.

Venues – Ljubljana and Jesenice.

Frustrating, not for the first time, would be the most appropriate word to describe the ’98 World Championship campaign.

Given the continued progression of former Soviet republics into Pool B, it was proving a tough environment in which to compete – a fact clearly illustrated as the top three teams, Ukraine, Slovenia and Estonia had finished in exactly the same order the year before in being promoted from Pool C.

Despite increasing their points total on the previous campaign in Poland, Great Britain again had to settle for a sixth place finish in an eight team pool. Such was the tightness of the section, had Great Britain have achieved a tie against Estonia instead of the single goal defeat, the bronze medal place would have been secured and with it a shot at qualification to the ’99 Pool A tournament.

Not surprisingly, the old chestnut of preparation and the difference that good preparation can make was raised and coach Peter Woods, commenting in the Ice Hockey News Review stated, “Great Britain, I think, has the potential to win a medal every time we come to these tournaments. What has hurt us has been our lack of preparation. Every team in this tournament has had preparation games throughout the year, which allowed them to do team building and expose players to the type of system they want to be playing. We haven’t enjoyed these opportunities and I think it’s a factor.”

Neil Morgan emerges as the surprise leading points scorer, netting 6+3 from the seven games played with Paul Adey and Rick Brebant picking up 4+4 and 3+5 respectively.

Tournament Results
April 15th vs Ukraine L 1-6 (0-2, 0-1, 1-3)
April 16th vs Denmark W 7-1 (3-0, 2-1, 2-0)
April 18th vs Estonia L 4-5 (2-3, 2-2, 0-0)
April 19th vs Slovenia L 3-5 (2-2, 0-2, 1-1)
April 21st vs Poland W 4-3 (4-0, 0-2, 0-1)
April 22nd vs Norway L 3-4 (1-1, 2-2, 0-1)
April 24th vs Holland W 10-3 (1-1, 2-2, 7-0)

Compiled by Anthony Beer, using material reported at the time in the Ice Hockey News Review.

2008 / 2009 (c) All materials copyright of IHJUK