Welshman Matthew Myers says Great Britain are relishing their World Championship challenge as they play in the top flight for the first time since 1994.
GB start their campaign today when they face Germany at the Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia.
Hundreds of ice hockey supporters from Britain, including many from Wales, are in Kosice for the championships.
“We can’t wait to get on the ice now,” said Cardiff Devils forward Myers.
“Our preparation has been fantastic and we just want to get started.
“We have had a great few weeks together and played five important warm-up games, which has helped us no end.
“We know we are competing with the best in the world here, but we are excited to show what we can do
“Everyone is relishing being on the world stage and facing so many top-class players.”
After meeting Germany this afternoon (3.15pm face-off UK time), GB will also play Canada, Denmark, USA, Finland, Slovakia and France.
“It’s a tough group that’s for sure,” said Myers. “It will be an intense few weeks and it will be a real test of our abilities.
“It has been a while since we have faced Germany and they provide us with a tough start to the tournament, but it is one we are looking for.”
It’s the first meeting between the two sides since Germany’s 8-0 win in the World Championship Division One Group A in Amiens, France.
There have been 14 meetings since the first one in 1930 during the World Championship in Chamonix. Germany have won 10, GB three and there has been on tie.
The clash with Germany is the first of seven games for head coach Pete Russell’s team.
GB expect to be at full strength and Russell will name his 22-man roster ahead of face-off.
Group A fixtures started yesterday with Finland beating Canada 3-1, while there was a shock in the day’s second game when Slovakia defeated USA 4-1 in a Group B match in Bratislava.
Russia were 5-2 winners over Norway and Czech Republic beat Sweden by the same scoreline.
Schedule for GB at the 2019 World Championship in Slovakia (face-off times local time).
Saturday, May 11: Germany v Great Britain 4.15pm
Sunday, May 12: Great Britain v Canada 8.15pm
Tuesday, May 14: Great Britain v Denmark 4.15pm
Wednesday, May 15: USA v Great Britain 4.15pm
Friday, May 17: Finland v Great Britain 8.15pm
Saturday, May 18: Great Britain v Slovakia 8.15pm
Monday, May 20: France v Great Britain 4.15pm
GB squad
Netminders
Ben Bowns – Cardiff Devils
Thomas Murdy – Cardiff Devils
Jackson Whistle – Sheffield Steelers
Defencemen
Tim Billingsley – Nottingham Panthers
Dallas Ehrhardt – Manchester Storm
Steve Lee – Nottingham Panthers
Evan Mosey – Cardiff Devils
Ben O’Connor – Sheffield Steelers
David Phillips – Sheffield Steelers
Mark Richardson – Cardiff Devils
Paul Swindlehurst – Belfast Giants
Forwards
Ollie Betteridge – Nottingham Panthers
Ben Davies – Guildford Flames
Robert Dowd – Sheffield Steelers
Robert Farmer – Nottingham Panthers
Luke Ferrara – Coventry Blaze
Mike Hammond – Manchester Storm
Liam Kirk – Peterborough Petes
Robert Lachowicz – Nottingham Panthers
Ben Lake – Coventry Blaze
Joey Lewis – ESV Kaufbeuren
Matthew Myers – Cardiff Devils
Brett Perlini – Nottingham Panthers
Jonathan Phillips – Sheffield Steelers
Colin Shields – Belfast Giants