Four Cardiff Devils players and a Welshman who plays for Sheffield Steelers helped Great Britain win World Championship gold in Belfast.
Goaltenders Ben Bowns and Thomas Murdy were in the GB squad along with Devils team-mates Mark Richardson and Matthew Myers.
Cardiff-born Jonathan Phillips is the GB captain who led his team to a 4-0 win against Japan in the final fixture which clinched gold and promotion to Division One Group A, the second tier of World Championship ice hockey, next year.
“It is an amazing moment to win gold and I am proud of everyone,” said Bowns, who kept a shut-out against Japan.
“We had such a great week and to win the gold on home ice is magical.
“It is a moment that will live with us all for a long, long time.
“We played one of the best games of our careers out there and Japan could not cope with us.
“After the disappointment of two silver medals over the last couple of years, we were not going to let it happen a third time.
“It is fantastic to achieve this with such an amazing group of players.”
Former Devils forward Russ Cowley is retiring from professional hockey and said: “This is an amazing way to end my playing career.
“It ranks up there with the best nights of my career. This is the icing the cake, our best performance of the week by far and to win in front of a big home crowd was special.”
Cowley scored in the opening night win over Estonia and signs off after 16 seasons and over 900 professional games.
GB forward David Clarke says a close team bond was one of the reasons behind Great Britain’s promotion.
GB produced a final-day 4-0 victory over Japan at Belfast’s SSE Arena to earn their first promotion since 1993.
“The Great Britain team spirit is always fantastic, but this year has been something else,” said Clarke.
“We all get on so well together and love each other’s company.
“We go out there and give everything we have for each other and it is so special to be a part of.
“We played so well today and took it to Japan from the off.
“It was five brilliant performances this week and we just kept on going. This is a moment to cherish and one I will remember for a long time.
“It is one of the best moments of my career.”