On Wednesday, the roster of the Latvian youth ice hockey team for the World Championship was announced, and among the 25 players, three represent Latvian clubs, reports the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF), according to LETA.
The team consists of three goalkeepers, eight defensemen, and 14 forwards, most of whom play in North American junior leagues.
Among the representatives of Latvian clubs are defender Mārtiņš Vītols ("Zemgale"/LBTU), as well as forwards Kristers Ansons ("Mogo"/RSU) and Roberts Polis ("Riga Hockey School").
The World Junior Championship (U-20) starts in the USA on December 26, and the final will take place on January 5. The tournament will be held in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Latvian team will play in the same group as the teams from Canada, Finland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. The second group will feature Sweden, the USA, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany.
The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing in fifth place will play a match to retain their position in the top division.
The first game for Artis Abols' team will be on December 27 at 23:30 against their peers from Canada. The next day, the Latvian juniors will meet Finland, then on December 30 they will play against Denmark, and on December 31 against the Czech Republic.
All of Latvia's matches will be broadcast live on the Go3 Sport platform and on the TV6 channel.
In preparation for the tournament, the Latvian hockey players played two friendly matches in Minnesota: they lost to the Czech Republic (2:3) and Slovakia (1:3).
The Latvian youth team has played in the top division for the fifth consecutive year. In three of the four previous tournaments, the Latvians reached the quarterfinals, and in 2023 they fought to retain their place in the elite. In the last championship, Latvia lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals with a score of 2:3.
Roster of the Latvian Youth Team
Goalkeepers: Nils Roberts Maurinš ("Omaha Lancers", USHL), Mikus Vecvanags ("Newfoundland Regiment", QMJHL), Ivan Kufterin ("Kamloops Blazers", WHL).
Defensemen: Albert Schmit ("Jukurit", Finland), Mārtiņš Vītols ("Zemgale"/LBTU), Oskars Nils Briedis ("Luleå", Sweden), Rolands Naglis ("Bern", Switzerland), Darels Uļjanskis ("Flint Firebirds", OHL), Krišjānis Sarts ("Blackfield Bulldogs", BCHL), Krists Retenais ("Brooks Bandits", BCHL), Haris Cjunski ("Brooks Bandits", BCHL).
Forwards: Oliver Murnieks ("Saint John Sea Dogs", QMJHL), Kārlis Fluģins ("KooKoo", Finland), Kristers Ansons ("Mogo"/RSU), Dmitrijs Dilevka ("Brooks Bandits", BCHL), Bruno Osmaņis ("Björklöven", Sweden), Markus Sieradzki ("Plzeň", Czech Republic), Maxim Pumpiņš ("Poruba", Czech Republic), Roberts Polis ("Riga Hockey School"), Rūdolfs Berzkalns ("Muskegon Lumberjacks", USHL), Kristians Utnans ("Kenai Brown Bears", NAHL), Antons Matievskis ("Watertown Shamrocks", NAHL), Roberts Naudiņš ("Shattuck St. Mary's", USHS), Daniel Serkin ("Bern", Switzerland), Mārtiņš Klaučāns ("Sherbrooke Phoenix", QMJHL).
