A fresh-looking Ice Blacks team will face a tough challenge at the world second division group A championships in Iceland over the next week.
It is the highest level at which the New Zealand men's team has played.
With a dozen players missing from the squad that finished second in the group B championships in Melbourne last year, it could be a tricky week for the Ice Blacks in Reykjavik.
There is no Corey Down, who was the team's most valuable player last year, and no Zac Nothling, named best goaltender at the 2011 championships.
For various reasons, Braden Lee, Paris Heyd, Simon Glass, Brett Spiers and Chris Eaden are all also missing.
That will put pressure on forwards Ian Wannamaker, Joshua Hay and Jordan Challis (all Botany Swarm) to lead the attack, while Bert Haines (Southern Stampede) and Blake Jackson (West Auckland Admirals) man the defensive line.
Behind them, there is no obvious starting goaltender, following the withdrawal of two Otago players.
Rick Parry (Thunder) has stayed in Dunedin to complete his studies and save money for a trip to Europe at the end of the year, while rising star Aston Brookes (Stampede) injured a knee in a pre-season training camp.
Two of the young players in the team are 18-year-old Stampede forward Connor Harrison and Thunder defenceman Regan Wilson, who turns 19 on Sunday.
The Ice Blacks have flown under the national sporting radar but their efforts in recent years suggest they deserve some attention.
They receive little funding, and each of the players has to raise about $3500 to get to Iceland.
New Zealand plays host nation Iceland today, with games to come against Spain (tomorrow), Croatia (Monday), Estonia (Wednesday) and Serbia (Thursday).
