Latvian National Hockey Team Prepares for World Championship in Czech Republic

The Latvian national team is expected to play six test matches at home and two away this spring. On May 3 and 4, the Latvians will meet Norway at home.

At the beginning of the training camp, Latvian hockey players played two test matches with Austria, marking a 3-2 victory in both after the shootout, but then losing to the Finns twice with 2- 3. Last week, the Latvians met Switzerland twice on the road, losing to the guests with 0:4 and 1:5.

In the national team of Latvia, the head coach Harijs Vītoliņš is supported by the coaches Lauris Dārziņš, Artūrs Irbe, Petri Nummelins, Ville Peltonens, Raimonds Vilkoits, video coach Pēteris Groms and physical training specialist Āriks Visockis.

The Latvian national team will go to the world championship in the Czech Republic on May 9.

The 2024 tournament will be held in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

List of candidates for the Latvian national team:

goalkeepers – Elvis Merzlikin (Columbus “Blue Jackets”, NHL), Ivars Punnenov (Rappersvile-Jonas “Lakers”, Switzerland), Erik Vitols (Keuru “KeuPa”, Finland);

defenders – Jānis Jaks, Kristaps Zīle (Litvīnovas “Verva”, Czech Republic), Roberts Mamčić (“Nove Zamky”, Slovakia), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Markus Komuls (Trois-Rivières “Lions” , Canada ), Roberts Kalkis (“Marseille”, France), Sandis Smons (“La Chaux-de-Fonds”, Switzerland), Ralfs Freiberg (“Mountfield” de Hradec Kralove), Oskars Cibulskis (“Blue Fox of Herning “, Denmark), Christopher Bindulis (Mihalovces “Dukla”, Slovakia);

Forwards – Oskars Batnia (Mikeli “Jukurit”, Finland), Roberts Bukarts (Vítkovice “Ridera”, Czech Republic), Filips Buncis (Vestervíkas IK, Sweden), Renars Krastenberg (Graz “99ers”, Austria) , Haralds Egle (Liptovski Mikuláš “MHK 32”, Slovakia), Rihards Marenis (Nibro Vikings, Sweden), Oskars Lapinskis (Langnavs Tigers, Switzerland), Martins Lavins (University of New Hampshire, NCAA), Felix Gavar (University St. Lawrence, NCAA), Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts Emerst, NCAA), Andris Džeriņš (Herning Blue Fox, Denmark), Kaspars Daugavins (Mihalovce Dukla, Slovakia), Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno Rytīrži, Czech Republic), Raivis Ansons (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), AHL).