The 40-year-old replaces Doug Christiansen, who resigned in summer.

He will be assisted by Tommy Watkins and Richard Hartmann and the trio's first tournament in charge will be April's 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group B in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Russell is Great Britain's most successful junior coach and has won four golds, one silver and two bronze medals in 11 tournaments in charge of GB U20s and GB U18s.

The Ayr-born former netminder, who is coach of the Swindon-based Okanagan Hockey Academy, had a successful time in charge of EPL side Slough Jets, winning the playoffs and coach of the year in 2009-10 and the EPL Cup in 2010-11.

He has also had spells as coach of Swindon Wildcats and Bracknell Bees, while Russell also worked in the Superleague with Ayr Scottish Eagles and in the Elite League with Cardiff Devils.

"This is the proudest moment of my hockey career and I am so thrilled to be the new head coach. My passion for GB runs deep and now to be coach of the men's side is just fantastic,” Russell said. "I know so many of the GB players having coached them in the junior sides in years gone by. I know how much they care and how much they love their country.

"Becoming head coach of GB Men has always been an ambition of mine and I now want to do Great Britain proud in my time in charge.

"This is a dream come true for me and I can't wait to get going. It's a new beginning for Great Britain Men and I will select my team - one to start a new era for GB.”