“Sharks” did not enter the Stanley Cup and the NHL season ended for Balcer last week, in which the Latvian scored 11 goals in 61 matches and gave 12 assists.
Balcers has represented the Latvian national team in two world championships and in the qualification of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.
The Latvian national team will play the last test matches before the world championship on Sunday and Monday, hosting Kazakhstan at the “Arena Riga”.
On Saturday and Sunday, Latvians met Switzerland in Weinfelden and suffered two losses with 2: 5 and 1: 3. Last week, Latvian hockey players played test matches with France, first losing 1: 2 and winning 3: 2 a day later.
The Latvian national team at the World Championships in Group B in Tampere crossed sticks with Finland, the United States, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain and Austria. Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Italy and France will play in Group A. Helsinki.
It has already been reported that after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) suspended all Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from competitions organized by the IIHF.
Russia and Belarus will be replaced by France and Austria, which ranked the highest selection of countries not expected to play in the top division.
The 2022 World Championships in Finland are scheduled for May 13-29.
List of candidates for the Latvian men’s hockey team in the training camp:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL), Gustav Davis Grigals (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Eric Vitols (Zemgale / LLU);
Guards: Jānis Jaks (“Sochi”, KHL), Kārlis Čukste (Lahti “Pelicans”, Finland), Kristaps Sotnieks (Riga “Dinamo”, KHL), Roberts Mamčics (“Linkoping”, Sweden), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA) ), Ernest Ošenieks (Kiekko-Vantaa, Finland), Artūrs Kulda (Pinguine in Krefeld, Germany), Kristaps Zīle (Orebro, Sweden), Nauris Sējējs (Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), Sandis Smons (Geneva Servette, Switzerland), Patrick Ozols (Zemgale / LLU);
Attackers: Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Škoda, Pilsen, Czech Republic), Richard Bucharest (Admiral “Vladivostok, KHL), Robert Buchart (Ridera, Witkovice, Czech Republic), Andris Dzerins (Linz” Black Hawks “, Austria), Richard Maren Vita Hasten “, Sweden), Dennis Smirnov (Geneva” Servette “, Switzerland), Patrick Zabusov (Zlin” PSG Berani “, Czech Republic), Oskar Lapinskis (Langnava” Tigers “, Switzerland), Ronald King (Switzerland) , Miks Indrašis (“Biel-Bienne”, Switzerland), Oskars Batņa (Mikeli “Jukurit”, Finland), Renārs Krastenbergs (Villach VSV, Austria), Klāvs Weinbergs, Edgars Kulda (both – “Zemgale” / LLU), Rodrigo Ābols (Orebro, Sweden), Nikolai Yeliseev (MoDo, Sweden), Rudolf Balzers (Sharks, NHL, San Jose).
