Great Britain begin their attempt to compete among the ice hockey elite on Saturday night with the first English born and trained player drafted by an NHL club determined to create an upset.

Liam Kirk of Sheffield made domestic ice hockey history last year when he was selected by Arizona Coyotes in the seventh round of an NHL draft which gives the giants of the North American game the pick of the best emerging talents in the world.

Now the 19-year-old will take to the ice in Kosice, Slovakia, with the chance to showcase the skills that has drawn the attention of the biggest league in the world.

Liam Kirk became first English-trained ice hockey player to be drafted by the NHL in the US

The first British team to be promoted to the top flight of the world championships for 25 years will face Germany on Saturday night knowing they are the rank outsiders in a tournament that will also see them facing the superstars of Canada, the United States and Finland.

But their youngest and arguably most gifted player believes they can make an impact in their quest for survival after two unexpected promotions in successive years which sees them now rubbing shoulders with NHL players Kirk is determined to join.

'It's going to be crazy to see the names we're going up against and this will definitely be a different level of hockey to what we've played in the past but it's something we're all looking forward to,' Kirk told Sportsmail. 'Whoever plays for Canada and the US will be world-class players at the top of their game so it's going to be an exciting time.'

These are exciting times in particular for the teenager who only started playing ice hockey 10 years ago after going along to watch his local Steelers side in the British league.

The 19-year-old was picked up in the seventh round of the draft by Arizona Coyotes last year

Soon Kirk was a Steeler himself before his life was changed overnight after just one season in the senior game last summer when the Coyotes came calling. Only Scots Tony Hand and Colin Shields, who will be making his international farewell in Slovakia before retiring at 39, had ever been drafted by an NHL club among British developed players.

'It was a dream of mine to get drafted and when it happened it was an amazing feeling,' said Kirk. 'I was just sat at home watching the draft with my family. I felt it could happen but when my name was read out it was a really emotional time.'

The move saw Kirk heading to Canada to continue his development with Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, the first step on the ladder to the big time.

'Going to Canada was a move I had to make,' said Kirk. 'It was the best move for my development so it was definitely the right decision. Arizona had a part to play in where I went next and we decided Peterborough was the best place for me. It was a good fit.'

Kirk is preparing to face ice hockey's elite in world championships top flight with Great Britain

After GB's Slovakian adventure Kirk will return to the Petes for his all-important second season in Canada before trying to climb towards the very top.

'It would be huge to reach the NHL,' said Kirk. 'That's where I want to be. I'm just on the first step of the ladder and I know that. I've got to work hard. Every step now is harder but it's something I'm looking forward to because it's what I've always wanted to do.'

But first comes GB's attempt to go one better than the 1994 team by gaining the one or two victories they will need from their seven matches to stay in the top flight.

'The way we played last year was an unreal feeling considering what was at stake and it was probably the best way we could be promoted,' said Kirk of the equaliser against Hungary in Budapest 15 seconds from time in their last game that earned promotion. 'Now we're all pretty positive about what lies ahead.

'We want to get out there and play some good hockey to show people what we can do. We had such a successful year last year and now we've got to show we belong at the top.'