Latvia U20 Hockey Team Announces Roster for November Camp and Poland Friendlies

Latvian Junior National Ice Hockey Team Prepares for World Junior Championship With Poland Friendlies

Latvia’s under-20 national ice hockey team will play a pair of exhibition games against Poland at Daugava Ice Hall in Riga as head coach Artis Ābols finalizes his roster ahead of the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship elite division tournament. The first matchup is scheduled for November 6 at 18:00 local time, followed by the second game on November 7 at 15:10, with both fixtures broadcast on latvijashokejs.tv, according to sportacentrs.com. Before taking on the Polish squad, the Latvian junior roster will complete three joint on-ice training sessions.

Roster Selection and Training Camp Details

For the November camp and the two home exhibitions, Ābols and his staff selected 27 candidates, consisting of three goaltenders, eight defensemen, and sixteen forwards. The roster draws heavily from players competing across various European and North American junior leagues. Among the goaltenders named to the training camp squad are Emīls Vītols of Jukurit U20 in Finland, Regnārs Capars of Mora U20 in Sweden, and Jevgeņijs Kuderko of Zemgale/LBTU.

The defensive corps features Rolands Naglis of Switzerland’s Olten, Valters Būdenieks of Czech club Česke Budejovice U20, Reinis Auziņš and Kristaps Katkovskis of Swedish side Björklöven U20, Reinholds Circenis of Czech team Poruba, Sanders Krūmiņš of Young Lions U18 in Switzerland, Adrians Kļaviņš of Zemgale/LBTU, and Ričards Lisovskis of Lukko U20 in Finland.

The forward group includes Kārlis Flugins (KooKoo U20, Finland), Toms Kuzmins (Slavia Praha U20, Czechia), Daniels Reidzāns (Biel U21, Switzerland), Raitis Riekstiņš (Timrå U20, Sweden), Ričards Tralmaks, Dāvids Tarvids, and Makss Mihailovs (all three from Plzeň U20, Czechia). Rounding out the forward lines are Ernests Krūmiņš (Kladno U20, Czechia), Roberts Miglāns (Köln U20, Germany), Rainers Belovs (Nordic Academy U20, Austria), Jānis Daugulis (Jr. Rangers, NCDC), Henrijs Upenieks (Zemgale/LBTU), Roberts Freidenfelds and Kārlis Tamenieks (both Liepājas HK), Ernests Lūsītis (unattached), and Andrejs Losāns (Fribourg-Gotteron U18, Switzerland).

Edmonton and Red Deer Group Stage Assignments

Ābola vadībā Latvijas junioru izlase decembra beigās un janvāra sākumā piedalīsies IIHF U-20 pasaules čempionāta elites divīzijas turnīrā Edmontonā un Redīrā, Kanādā.

Arbitration Ruling Introduces Uncertainty

Preparations for the global showcase unfold against a backdrop of wider international governance questions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a ruling concerning the potential return of Russian national teams to IIHF world championships, with the junior tournament marked as the initial competition where reinstatement could theoretically occur. Tournament organizers and participating federations continue to monitor how the ruling might impact tournament structures and competitive groupings as December approaches.

Broadcast Schedule and Next Checkpoints

The upcoming tests against Poland serve as the immediate proving ground for players hoping to secure a permanent spot on the flight to Canada. Puck drop for the opening exhibition at Daugava Ice Hall is set for November 6 at 18:00 EET, with the rematch following on November 7 at 15:10 EET. Fans unable to attend the venue in Riga can follow the action via the live stream on latvijashokejs.tv.