Girgensons will not join the Latvian national team this spring

Girgenson, 30, just finished his 11th NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres. His contract with the Sabers ends after the season. Looking for a new contract.

“Zemgus has not changed his position – he will not join the national team without a contract,” said Kalvītis. “He won’t be at this world championship. We did everything we could from our side.”

Girgenson played in 63 games in this NHL season, where he scored 14 (8+6) points, 21 penalty minutes, -1 efficiency, averaging 11 minutes and 50 seconds.

This was the lowest-scoring season for the Latvian in his 11-year NHL career. Also, the average time spent on the court is the least in Girgenson’s career in the “Sabres”.

In total, Girgensons played 688 games in the NHL regular championships, where he scored 89 goals and 99 assists, accumulating 188 points.

As part of the Latvian national team, he participated in four world championships, the last of them in 2017.

At the end of the summer, the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games will take place in Riga, where Latvian hockey players will compete with France, Slovenia and Ukraine for an Olympic ticket. The winner of the group will get a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The information available to TVNET shows that Girgensons would like to participate in the upcoming tournament “Arena Riga”.

This week, forwards Andris Džeriņš, Kaspars Daugaviņš and defenders Oskars Cibulskis, Kristofers Bindulis will join the candidates for the Latvian national team.

Kaspars Daugavins Photo: Edijs Palens/LETA

Kalvītis also spoke with hockey players playing in North America. But for now, potential draft picks are busy thinking about the playoffs. However, the indications for joining the national team are positive, however, everything will depend on the success of the teams they represent.

This year, the World Championship will take place from May 10 to 26 in Ostrava and Prague.

2024-04-16 07:09:50
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