The official training camp of the Latvian national team before the world championship in Finland started on Monday in Riga.
“Indrasis, King, will join on Thursday, [Toms] Andersons, [Sandis] Smons a [Nauris] Rodrigo Ābols will probably be a sower at the end of the week, “the press service of the Latvian Hockey Federation quotes Vītoliņš as saying after the training.
The coach explains that there will be more players in the training this week who could qualify for the World Championships because the season at the clubs is over. He also reminds that hockey players have a relationship with clubs and players need to know their future life plan.
Some of them stay on the previous team and it is easier for him, but those who have finished playing in the team need to complete the relationship with the club, know where to move and where to leave belongings, as well as meet with agents. The coach understands that it takes time for the team, but you can’t do without it.
Vītoliņš emphasizes that the longer each hockey player plays in the club, the better. Also, the fact that a player misses training for four to five days is not important, because there is still enough time before the championship.
In previous weeks, under the leadership of Vītoliņš, hockey players who were free after the club season, as well as the new change of Latvian hockey, were already training in Riga.
“You have to understand where you came from and what you are fighting for. Of course, there will be players who will not be to the World Cup, but it is important for us to see who they are, what they can do and how to work for them.” says the coach.
“We thanked four or five players last week. That doesn’t mean that if they’re not in the national team this year, it’s over. “The young Latvian hockey players are comforted by the coach.
Vītoliņš says that intensive work has started in the national team, changing the training process: “The player must get out of his comfort zone, because if he feels comfortable, he will not progress. phase we are trying to change the training process, we are forced to do everything faster than we have done so far to make it easier to play after that. It is a long work process, but it has to go through. “
It has already been reported that during the preparation phase, the team led by Vītoliņš will play six test matches – two each against France, Switzerland and Kazakhstan. On April 21 and 22, Latvians will visit France, on April 30 and May 1 – Switzerland, but on May 8 and 9, they will be at home with matches with Kazakhstan.
The Latvian national team at the World Championships in Group B in Tampere crossed sticks with Finland, the United States, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain and Austria. Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Italy and France will play in Group A. Helsinki.
It has already been reported that after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) suspended all Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from competitions organized by the IIHF.
Russia and Belarus will be replaced by France and Austria, which ranked the highest selection of countries not expected to play in the top division.
The 2022 World Championships in Finland are scheduled for May 13-29.
List of candidates for the Latvian men’s hockey team at the beginning of the training camp:
Goalkeepers: Gustav Dāvis Grigals (Fairbanks University of Alaska, NCAA), Kārlis Mežsargs (“Rīga”, MHL), Patriks Bērziņš (“Liepāja”);
Defenders: Jānis Jaks (“Sochi”, KHL), Kārlis Čukste (Lahti “Pelicans”, Finland), Kristaps Sotnieks (Riga “Dinamo”, KHL), Roberts Mamčics (“Linkoping”, Sweden), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska, Fairbanks) , NCAA), Ernest Oshenieks (“Kiekko-Vantaa”), Artūrs Andžāns (“Rīga”, MHL), Nikita Matejko (“Hermes”, Finland), Artūrs Kulda (Krefeld “Pinguine”, Germany);
Attackers: Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Škoda, Pilsen, Czech Republic), Richard Bucharest (Admiral of Vladivostok, KHL), Robert Bucharest (Ridera, Czech Republic), Andris Dzerins (Linz “Black Hawks”, Austria), Richard Maren Vita Hasten, Sweden), Denis Smirnov (Servette, Geneva, Switzerland), Patrick Zabusov (PSG Berani, Zlin, Czech Republic), Daniel Berzins (Jiviskeles JYP, Finland), Oskars Lapinskis (Langnavas Tigers), Switzerland ), Ģirts Silkalns (“Riga”, MHL), Raimonds Mikus Vītoliņš (University of Vermont, NCAA), Roberts Baranovskis (University of Orora, NCAA), Ronalds Ķēniņš (“Lausanne”, Switzerland), Miks Indrašis (“Biel-Bienne”), Switzerland), Oskar Batni (Mikeli Jukurit, Switzerland), Renar Krastenberg (Villach VSV, Austria), Jan Vizbelis (Elmair College, NCAA).
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