Corey Neilson has been named as the new Head Coach of Great Britain Under-18s Men.
Neilson will be joined by Assistant Coaches Stevie Lee and Stephen Murphy and the trio bring a wealth of experience both internationally for GB and in the domestic game in the UK.
Experienced netminder Jordan Marr completes the coaching staff as Goalie and Video Coach.
Jonathan Phillips, National Teams Programme Director, said: “It’s exciting to unveil our new under-18s coaching staff who I think will bring so much to some very important roles.
“As we start what is a reset of the GB programme, these are statement appointments which demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that all of our teams receive the best coaching that we can provide.
“All four understand ‘The GB Way’. They have all either coached or played for GB already. They understand what being a GB player is all about and we are embedding that all across the programme.
“These coaches are leading our next generation of talent and it’s vital we got the right fit for the programme. They not only have extensive experience with GB and internationally, but know the domestic game inside out.
“I think their skillsets complement each other and I am excited to see them lead our under-18s programme.”
Corey Neilson
Neilson was a third-round pick in the 1994 NHL Draft by Edmonton Oilers and played much of the early part of his career in North America.
The defenceman arrived in the UK in 2006 with the Nottingham Panthers and won two trophies in his first two seasons as a player, before taking up the role as Head Coach.
Neilson led the Panthers to the Elite League title in 2013 as well as four playoff championships and six Challenge Cups.
He won the Continental Cup with the Panthers in 2017 and took them to the quarter-finals of the Champions Hockey League the following season.
Neilson went on to coach in Germany, Norway and Slovakia and back in the UK with Glasgow Clan.
The blueliner won 10 caps as a Great Britain player and has been GB’s Assistant Coach since 2017, helping the national team to four gold medals as well as five seasons in the top pool of the World Championship.
This summer, Neilson was appointed Regional Manager, Hockey Development (North) for the UK Ice Hockey Foundation which partners with IHUK on the delivery of the GB Programme.
Stevie Lee
Lee began his career in his home town of Hull and made his senior debut for the Stingrays as a teenager in the 2004/05 season.
He moved to Nottingham Panthers in the summer of 2009 and spent 10 full years with the Elite League club.
Lee’s time in Nottingham was glittered with trophies, 12 in total, including the Elite League title in 2013.
He was part of the Continental Cup-winning side in 2017 and captained the Panthers to the knockout stages of the Champions Hockey League a season later.
Lee also spent time with fellow EIHL side Guildford Flames and in Italy with Pustertal/Val Pusteria, before retiring in 2021.
The blueliner played a huge part as a Great Britain player for a decade and won 49 caps after making his debut in 2010.
He won back-to-back gold medals on home ice in Belfast (2017) and in Budapest (2018) and was part of the team that famously that came from 3-0 down to beat France 4-3 in overtime to retain top-flight status in the World Championship.
Stephen Murphy
Murphy began his 23-year playing career in his native Scotland in the British National League with Fife Flyers (1998-2001) and Dundee Stars (2001-03) and won the playoff and league double with both sides.
He moved south to Bracknell Bees for season 2003/04 and also spent part of 1998/99 in the Scottish League with Glasgow Dynamos and part of 2000/01 in the North American Hockey League with Cleveland (Ohio) Barons.
He played in Europe early in his career with Swedish second division clubs Bjorkloven (2004/05) and Arboga (2005/06). Returning to Scotland, he spent a season in the Elite League with Edinburgh Capitals before being tempted back to Scandinavia and spending 2007/08 in the top Norwegian league with Stjernen.
The following campaign found him back in England, pulling on a Manchester Phoenix jersey before he finally settled in Northern Ireland with Belfast Giants where he remained until the 2019/20 season.
In 11 seasons with the Giants, he won three Elite League titles, two Challenge Cups and a playoff title.
Murphy is in the top-three capped netminders for Great Britain with 68 caps after making his debut in the World Championship in 2001.
His final tournament for GB saw his help the national team to promotion and the gold medal on home ice in Belfast at the 2017 World Championship.
Jordan Marr
Scotland-born Marr played the bulk of his junior and college career in North America and spent two seasons at the Ontario Hockey Academy, before moving on to play in the NCAA with Finlandia University.
On returning to the UK, he joined Milton Keynes Lightning in the EPIHL in 2015. The following season he split his time between Hull Pirates (EPIHL) and Edinburgh Capitals (EIHL).
In the summer of 2017 he signed a contract with Elite League side Fife and helped the Flyers win the Gardiner Conference.
His next move was to NIHL side Peterborough Phantoms where he spent six seasons, winning the National Cup in 2023 and playoffs in in 2024.
He spent the past two seasons with Solway Sharks before announcing his playing retirement earlier this year.
Marr first worked in the GB junior programme in 2024/25 and linked up with the under-18s at last year’s World Championship.
Earlier this year, Marr was appointed Regional Manager, Goaltending Development (South) for the UK Ice Hockey Foundation which partners with IHUK on the delivery of the GB Programme.