“After much thought, I have made a difficult decision – to end my career in the Latvian hockey team. I have always worn the Latvian national team shirt with pride and joy and played for my country. Since 2008, when I made my debut as part of the national team, I have never refused to play under the red and white flag, participating in two Olympic Games, 13 world championships and four Olympic qualification tournaments. However, there comes a moment in every athlete’s career when difficult decisions have to be made, and right now I feel that it is time for me to end my career in the Latvian hockey team. There are several reasons for this and such a decision has been brewing in me for a long time, but right now might be the most appropriate moment to take this difficult step,” Sportacentrs.com was informed. Kristaps Sotnieks.
“In these years, there have been many unforgettable moments in the Latvian national team, and therefore, in saying goodbye, I would like to thank all the teammates with whom we have fought side by side in the ranks of the Latvian national team, all the main coaches (Oleg Znarok, Ted Nolan, Aleksandar Beļavski, Leonid Beresņev, Bob Hartley and Harry Vītoliņš) and their assistants, under whose leadership I have played in the national team, as well as to all representatives of the national team staff! I would also like to thank the presidents of the Latvian Hockey Federation, Aigars Kalvītis and Kirovs Lipmans, as well as all the employees of the federation for their support. Of course, the greatest thanks to the fantastic fans of Latvia, whose support we have always felt both on and off the pitch. Thank you to everyone who praised, admired, loved and tolerated a hockey player in the Latvian national team with the number 11 and the surname Sotnieks on his back for these 14 years,” said the long-time defenseman of the Latvian national team.
Kristaps does not put an end to his club career yet. He currently plays for the Czech championship club “Kladno”.
In 13 world championships, Sotnieks played a total of 90 games in the national team shirt, in which he scored two goals and provided 19 assists (2+19). He has 1+1 in two Olympic Games. Since 2009 Soca He did not miss a single world championship in the ranks of the Latvian national team.
