Latvia’s national ice hockey team will travel to Germany next week featuring a younger roster missing several frontline veterans, general manager Rūdolfs Kalvītis announced during a studio appearance on Latvian television, lsm.lv reported.
Deutschland Cup Roster Takes Shape Without Injured Veterans
The Latvia men’s national ice hockey team is preparing for its first international window of the season by returning to the Deutschland Cup for the second year. National team general manager Rūdolfs Kalvītis outlined the roster adjustments during an interview on the program “Rīta Panorāma,” noting that while key players like forward Rodrigo Ābols of Switzerland’s National League will participate, several established names are unavailable due to injuries and other factors.
“This will be a younger roster than what we saw at the world championship, but this is a preparation tournament, and it is good for the coaches to see who the closest reserves are for the Latvian national team ahead of the world championship,” Kalvītis said.
The tournament runs in Germany, where the Latvian squad will face the host nation alongside Slovakia and Austria, mirroring last year’s field. Notable absences are confirmed.
Absences Open Doors for Younger Prospects
Defenseman Jānis Jaks, goaltender Kristers Gudļevskis, and forwards Mārtiņš Dzierkals and Rūdolfs Balcers will not make the trip to Germany. Balcers withdrew from the selection at the last minute, according to team management.
Those vacancies clear a path for younger talent to debut at the senior international level. Forwards Bruno Osmanis and Daniels Serkins earned call-ups after previously representing Latvia exclusively in youth categories. Osmanis plays professionally in Sweden’s second-tier league, while Serkins skates in the corresponding tier in Switzerland. Kalvītis added that an unidentified player from the domestic Latvian championship will also receive a spot on the roster.
In the coaching staff, Artūrs Irbe returns after missing the previous world championship due to a family addition.
Goaltending Competition Features In-Form Danish Champion
Goaltender Jānis Fecers enters the selection after a strong run with the Herning Blue Fox, where he captured the Danish league title last season. Fecers has posted a .946 save percentage and a 1.12 goals-against average across eight matches this season, ranking second in the Danish league behind Frederik Søgaard, who has recorded two shutouts in two appearances.
Despite those figures, Fecers faces stiff competition for crease time from more experienced national team goaltenders Ivars Punnenovs and Gustavs Dāvis Grigals.
“Any training session and any game for the Latvian national team is important, because a player has to show and prove themselves,” Kalvītis said. “The Deutschland Cup is nevertheless a high-level tournament, and if a player can look good here and do exactly what the coach wants, they have earned a plus in the coach’s notebook for future tournaments.”
Future International Windows and Spring Schedule
Following the tournament in Germany, the national team schedule shifts to December with upcoming fixtures in Slovakia and Norway. The team will then ramp up its preparations in the spring with an eight-game exhibition slate, featuring six matches in Riga and two games on the road.
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