In 2016, when Aigars Kalvītis replaced Kirov Lipman as President of the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF), Viesturs Koziols became the Secretary General of the organization.
Until the end of last year, Koziols worked as the Secretary General of the LHF, but now he is replaced by Roberts Pļāvējs. True, Koziol continues to serve as vice president of the LHF.
Less than a year ago, when the Canadian Bob Hārltija was replaced by Harijs Vītoliņš as the head coach of the Latvian national hockey team, Ozoliņš was offered to get involved in the nature of the national team, but he refused.
“[Latvijas izlasē] I participate only as a fan, as a television viewer, “said Ozoliņš, causing intrigue with the remark that he will act as a commentator this spring, if there is no major change in plans.
He did not disclose the reasons for such a position.
For the last four seasons, Ozoliņš has worked as an assistant head coach at the Torpedo Russian club of the Continental Hockey League (KHL) in Nizhny Novgorod. At the end of February, his contract with the team expired.
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24. Ozolins was initially confused about what was happening, but a few days later it was clear to him that Russia had to leave.
“Over time, emotions have changed. At first there was a misunderstanding – what is happening and what is not happening. It seemed that this would be another military conflict, similar to what has happened in history, which will be resolved in the short term. Two great powers will shake hands and find solutions,” .
At the end of February, Ozolins refused to take part in the Torpedo test, because previously in Moscow’s CSKA and Moscow’s “Spartak” team match there were posters supporting the Russian regime: “Putin – our president.”
“Political slogans were hung behind the team benches. I said that I could not sign it, that I could not agree with such a vision of the situation,” Ozolins explained.
After the start of the war in Ukraine, the way home from Russia was not easy because the flights were canceled. Ozolins took a five-hour taxi ride from St. Petersburg to the Estonian border, which was crossed on foot.
Ozoliņš also worked as a coach in the period from 2016 to 2017 in the Riga “Dinamo” team, while in 2011 he held the position of general manager in the Latvian national team.
Currently, the 49-year-old Ozoliņš is the only Latvian hockey player to become the champion of the National Hockey League (NHL) by winning the Stanley Cup.
Ozolins is the richest hockey player in Latvia for NHL games, goals and assists. He has 875 games and 564 points (167 + 397) in the regular championship.
