The experienced forward and long-time captain Kaspars Daugavins will not be part of the Latvia national team at the World Championship in May, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation reported.
The explanation given is as follows: in the Olympic season, the Latvia national team will take the opportunity to refresh its roster. There are many young players available ahead of the World Championship, noted the federation.
Daugavins represented the national team in February at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina and finished the club season in April in the second-tier league in Germany with the Kassel Huskies, who lost in the playoff finals.
The 37-year-old Daugavins has represented Latvia in 13 World Championships, playing 85 matches, scoring 23 goals, and making 26 assists, as well as participating in four Olympic Games, where he recorded three assists in 16 matches.
The team continues to train in Riga at the Daugava Ice Hall and will play its next friendly matches on May 2 and 3 away against Slovakia.
The Latvian team will conclude its preparation phase with games on May 6 and 7 at home against Norway.
The World Ice Hockey Championship will take place from May 15 to 31 in Zurich and Fribourg (Switzerland).
Leave a comment