The Latvian national team will take part in a test tournament from 11 to 13 November in the Danish city of Esbjerg. In addition to Latvia and hostess Denmark, Norway will also participate in this tournament.
Harijs Vītoliņš has included three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 12 attackers. Striker Tom Anderson, who was injured, as well as defender Nikita Matejko and goalkeeper Dave David Rolov, will not go to Denmark.
Artis Ābols, Viktors Ignatjevs and Juris Klodāns will assist Harry Vītoliņš in this tournament. Ēriks Visockis will take care of physical fitness, but Pēteris Groms will perform the duties of a video coach.
During the December break set by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the Latvian national team will start in the “Visp Cup” tournament in Switzerland. Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland will also play in this tournament.
At the end of August, the Latvian national hockey team qualified for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.
Latvian hockey players will play with Finland, Sweden and Slovakia in the Group C tournament of the Beijing Olympic Games. The agreement between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) with the IIHF provides for the participation of NHL hockey players in the Olympics.
Composition of the Latvian national team for the test tournament in Denmark:
goalkeepers – Jānis Kalniņš (Vēkšes “Lakers”, Sweden), Ēriks Vītols (Riga “Dinamo”), Linards Lipskis (“Mogo” / LSPA);
guards – Kārlis Čukste, Kristaps Zīle, Patriks Ozols, Ernests Ošenieks, Miks Tumānovs (all – Riga “Dinamo”), Roberts Mamčics (Zlīna “PSG Berani”, Czech Republic), Sandis Smons (Geneva “Servette”, Switzerland), Nauris Sējējs (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland);
attackers – Rūdolfs Polcs (“Mogo” / LSPA), Deniss Smirnovs (Geneva “Servette”, Switzerland), Renārs Krastenbergs (“Villacher SV”, Austria), Daniels Bērziņš, Jānis Švanenbergs, Patriks Zabusovs, Filips Buncis (all – Rīgas ” Nille Sower (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), Emil Geger (Angletas Hormadi, France), Oscar Batni (Mikeli Jukurit, Finland), Frank Razgall (Jaschemke GKS, Poland), Rihards Melnalksnis (Kloten, Switzerland).
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