Latvian U-20 Hockey Team Prepares for World Championship with Strong Roster

In the November national team window, the U-20 national team led by Artas Ābola participated in the tournament with the adult national teams of Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, finishing in second place.

The opponents of the Latvian U-20 hockey team in subgroup A of the world championship will be Canada, Sweden, Finland and Germany. The top four teams will advance to the quarterfinals, while the fifth-placed team will play one game to stay in the elite.

This year, players born in 2004 and younger can participate in the world championship.

Kārlis Zirnis, Artūrs Āboliņš and Edgars Masalskis are assisting Ābol in his work with the U-20 hockey team this season.

List of candidates for the Latvian U-20 men’s hockey team:

goalkeepers – Dave Rolov (“Lone Star Brahmas”, NAHL), Aksel Ozols (Charlotte Town “Islanders”, QMJHL), Linards Feldberg (“HS Riga”);

defenders – Niks Fenenko (Bēkomo “Drakkar”, QMJHL), Elvis Laškovs (Ferlaha NHA, Austria), Renarts Bērzins (“Mogo”/LSPA), Pēteris Bulāns (Šikutimi “Sagueneens”, QMJHL), Viktors Kurbaka (Tršinecs “Ocelarži” , Czech Republic), Kristers Urbanovic (Oulu “Karpat”, Finland), Ingus Lochmelis (Fairbanks “Ice Dogs”, NAHL), Darel Uljanskis (Stockholm AIK, Sweden);

forwards – Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts, NCAA), Rainers Ruller (Madison “Capitol”, USHL), Rogers Buckart (Wenatchee “Wild”, WHL), Rainers Dārziņš (Slefteo AIK, Sweden), Sandis Vilmanis (Sarnia “Sting”, OHL), Emīls Veckaktiņš (“Lugano”, Switzerland), Dāvis Borozinskis (Demoines “Bucaneers”, USHL), Kevin Stradnieks, Rinald Vutkevičs (both – “Zemgale”/LLU), Erik Mateiko (St. John’s “Sea Dogs”, QMJHL) , Christopher Krumins (New Jersey Hitmen, NAHL), Tom Mott (Brno Kometa, Czech Republic), Rauls Ozollapa (Zubr of Pršerova, Czech Republic), Kristers Ansons (Armanda of Blainville/Boisbriand, QMJHL), Otto Poliakovs ( Philadelphia “Rebels”, NAHL).