The head coach of the Latvian men's ice hockey team, Harijs Vitoliņš, in an interview with TV3 before the Kaufland Cup outlined the team's goals and emphasized that all hockey players understand what it means to make the Olympic team, reports tv3.lv.
The Kaufland Cup will take place from December 10 to 12 in the Slovak city of Banská Bystrica. In addition to the Latvian national team, the hosts — Slovakia — and the national team of Norway will participate in the tournament.
For the Latvian team, this tournament will be the last test before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The winner will be determined based on the results of the round-robin tournament. The Latvian team will play against Norway on December 11 at 19:00 Latvian time, and the next day at the same time will meet the tournament hosts.
"Everyone understands what it means to make the Olympic team. Regardless of how the season is going, you need to try to surpass yourself — everyone has something to prove.
How can you go to the Olympics if you are not playing? The best thing is to perform for a club where there is intensive playing practice.
If you are a defender — you play about 20 minutes per game, if you are a forward — about 17–18 minutes. Playing practice gives confidence; you get used to the pace and endurance.
The priority is for all hockey players to play in clubs!" added Vitoliņš.
He also noted that everyone has the opportunity to show themselves: "Those who do not make the team are often younger players. They are just fighting for a place on the national team. They are laying the foundation, for example, for the World Championship in the spring. This process is aimed not only at the Olympics but also at the future."
Due to injuries, the team will be unable to count on initially called-up defender Ralfs Freibergs, as well as forwards Tom Andersons, Raimonds Vitoliņš, and Haralds Egle.
"We have three goalkeepers, and all are ready to play. Hockey is an injury-prone sport. A week ago, we had one lineup, and now we have lost eight players. The situation is constantly changing. We need to be ready to play in any lineup. The sense of responsibility must be very high!" stated Vitoliņš.
Both of Latvia's games in the Kaufland Cup will be broadcast live on TV6.
Latvia National Team Roster
Goalkeepers: Ivars Punnenovs (Rapperswil-Jona "Lakers", Switzerland) Eriks Vitols ("Banská Bystrica", Slovakia) Jānis Voris ("Kiev Capitals")
Defenders: Jānis Jaks, Roberts Mamčics (both – "Energie" Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic) Mārtiņš Komuls ("Verva" Litvínov, Czech Republic) Kristaps Zīle ("Bili Tigris" Liberec, Czech Republic) Artūrs Ančāns (HPK Hämeenlinna, Finland) Nauris Sējējs ("Lions" Küsnacht, Switzerland) Sandis Smons ("Kur", Switzerland) Kristofers Bindulis ("Dukla" Michalovce, Slovakia)
Forwards: Roberts Cūnskis ("Sierra", Switzerland) Renārs Krastenbergs ("Olomouc", Czech Republic) Mārtiņš Džerkals ("Sparta" Prague, Czech Republic) Miks Indrašis (unattached) Roberts Bukarts ("Pioneers Vorarlberg" Feldkirch, Austria) Rihards Bukarts (unattached) Deniss Smirnovs ("Kloten", Switzerland) Oskars Lapinskis ("Tigers" Langnau, Switzerland) Rudolfs Polcs ("Anglet", France) Kārlis Ozoliņš ("Liepāja Hockey Team") Rihards Melnāksnis ("Kur", Switzerland) Patriks Zabuss ("Zemgale"/LBTU)
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