Latvia Names 34 Candidates for U-18 World Championship Elite Division
As the countdown to the IIHF World U18 Championship begins, head coach Oleg Sorokins has officially named the Latvia U-18 hockey team candidates tasked with representing the nation on the global stage. The preliminary roster consists of 34 players, providing Sorokins with a deep pool of talent to refine before the tournament kicks off in Slovakia.
The candidate list is balanced across all positions, featuring four goaltenders, 11 defensemen, and 19 forwards. This selection marks a critical phase in the team’s preparation as they aim to maintain their standing among the world’s elite youth programs.
Roster Breakdown and Key Personnel
The candidate pool highlights a mix of domestic talent and international experience. A significant portion of the squad hails from the Rīgas Hockey School (Rīgas HS), including goaltenders Jegors Kirpičkins and Kristers Plēpis, as well as defensemen Tomass Erdmanis-Hermanis, Herberts Laugalis, and Markuss Saviels.
Adding an international dimension to the roster is goaltender Iļja Ņikitins, who currently plays for the Philadelphia Rebels in the United States. Other notable inclusions include Patriks Plūmiņš of HK Zemgale/LBTU and defenseman Reinholds Circenis from Liepājas HK.
To support Sorokins in managing this group, the coaching staff includes Herberts Vasiļjevs, Maksims Širokovs, and Raimonds Vilkoits. Specialized roles are filled by Edgars Masaļskis, who serves as the goaltending coach, and Raivis Miezāns, who is overseeing the players’ physical conditioning.
The Road to Slovakia: Exhibition Schedule
Before the official tournament begins, the Latvian squad will undergo a rigorous testing phase to finalize the active roster. The team has already engaged in early preparations, including two exhibition matches against Poland during the qualification stage, resulting in victories of 5-2 and 8-3.
The intensity will ramp up in mid-April with two high-profile friendly matches hosted in Bratislava. These games are designed to simulate the pressure of the World Championship and test tactical adjustments against top-tier opposition:
- April 16: Latvia vs. Germany
- April 19: Latvia vs. Sweden
These matchups will be instrumental for Sorokins as he decides which players from the 34-man candidate list will make the final cut for the tournament.
Tournament Outlook: Group Stage and Venues
The U-18 World Championship Elite Division is scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 2, 2026. The event will be hosted across two Slovakian cities: Bratislava and Trenčín.
Latvia faces a challenging road in the group stage, placed in a pool with some of the most formidable programs in international hockey. The Latvian national team will compete in the same group as:
- Canada
- Finland
- Norway
- Slovakia (Host)
For readers unfamiliar with the format, the elite division represents the highest level of competition for players under 18, where only the top-ranked nations compete for the gold medal.
A Legacy of Consistency
This tournament represents more than just a seasonal goal for Latvia; it is a continuation of a significant era of stability for the nation’s youth hockey. The Latvian U-18 national team has consistently competed in the World Championship Elite Division since 2019.
The upcoming event in Slovakia will be the eighth consecutive Elite World Championship appearance for the program. This streak underscores the development pipeline within Latvian hockey and the ability of the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF) to produce athletes capable of competing with traditional powerhouses like Canada and Finland.
Key Takeaways:
- Total Candidates: 34 players (4 Goaltenders, 11 Defensemen, 19 Forwards).
- Tournament Dates: April 22 – May 2, 2026.
- Locations: Bratislava and Trenčín, Slovakia.
- Group Opponents: Canada, Finland, Norway, and Slovakia.
- Elite Streak: 8th consecutive appearance in the Top Division.
The next major milestone for the team will be the exhibition match against Germany on April 16 in Bratislava. Following that and the clash with Sweden on April 19, the final roster for the World Championship is expected to be solidified.
Do you consider Latvia can break into the top tier of their group in Slovakia? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
