Smith replaces Brown in GB U20s squad

Basingstoke Bison forward Josh Smith has replaced Kieran Brown in the GB Under-20s squad for the U20s World Championship which begins in Dumfries this weekend.

The Sheffield Steelers and Blackburn Hawks forward has picked up an injury and is not fit enough for the tournament.

This will be Smith’s second Under-20 World Championship after appearing for GB last year in Budapest.

Dumfries Ice Bowl is the venue for the six-team IIHF Division II Group A competition, as GB play host to Estonia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands and Romania.

The tournament runs from 10th to 16th December and GB get their campaign under way on Sunday against Romania (8pm).

GB U20s head coach, Slava Koulikov, said: “This is, of course, a real disappointment for Kieran and it is such a shame he has had to pull out with injury.

“But we have a talented squad and I said at the time of naming the roster that some quality players missed out on the final selection.

“Josh will now link up with the squad and he is a great replacement.”

Smith will arrive in Dumfries this afternoon ahead of this evening’s warm-up game against Korea.

Entrance to the game at the Dumfries Ice Bowl is free and face-off is 8pm.