Other events in Baltic States

On March 24, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) announced a candidate list of players that will be fighting for a place on the final roster for this year's Ice Hockey World Championships in Switzerland, reports LETA.

44 players have been included on the list, including four goalies, 15 defenders and 25 forwards.

Veteran defender Atvars Tribuncovs and promising forward Kaspars Saulietis have not been included on the roster, as they have had previous disagreements with the coaching staff.

The team will gather for its first practice on March 27 at the Inbox.lv ice arena, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

This year's Ice Hockey World Championships in Switzerland will begin on April 24. Latvia is in the same group as the United States, Sweden and Austria.

The candidate list of players that will be fighting for a spot on the finals roster is as follows: Goalies– Edgars Masalskis (''Die Fuchse'' Germany), Sergejs Naumovs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Ervins Mustukovs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Dmitrijs Zabotinskis (''Liepajas metalurgs'')

Defenders – Aleksandrs Jerofejevs (''Neftekhimik'' Russia), Georgijs Pujacs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Olegs Sorokins (Riga ''Dinamo''), Arvids Rekis (''Grizzly Adams'' Germany), Guntis Galvins (Riga ''Dinamo''), Krisjanis Redlihs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Jekabs Redlihs (''Lasselberher'' Czech Rep.), Rodrigo Lavins (Riga ''Dinamo''), Kristaps Sotnieks (Riga ''Dinamo''), Janis Andersons (''Ocelari'' Czech Rep.), Agris Saviels (''Metallurg'' Belarus), Oskars Cibulskis (''Red Bulls'' Austria), Karlis Skrastins (Florida ''Panthers'' NHL), Arturs Kulda (Chicago ''Wolves'' AHL), Oskars Bartulis (Philadelphia ''Phantoms'' AHL).

Forwards – Lauris Darzins (Riga ''Dinamo''), Mikelis Redlihs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Herberts Vasiljevs (''Pinguine'' Germany), Aigars Cipruss (Riga ''Dinamo''), Aleksandrs Nizivijs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Martins Karsums (Tampa Bay ''Lightning'' NHL), Janis Sprukts (Rochester ''Americans'' AHL), Girts Ankipans (Riga ''Dinamo''), Guntis Dzerins (''MHC'' Slovakia), Andris Dzerins (''Frontenacs'' Canada, Ontario Hockey League), Aleksejs Sirokovs (Riga ''Dinamo''), Martins Cipulis (Riga ''Dinamo''), Juris Stals (''Riga 2000''), Armands Berzins (Riga ''Dinamo''), Raitis Ivanans (Los Angeles ''Kings'' NHL), Aleksandrs Macijevskis (''Soendejyske'' Denmark), Viktors Blinovs (''Metallurg'' Belarus), Gints Meija (''Riga 2000''), Ronalds Cinks (Riga ''Dinamo''), Elvis Zelubovskis (''Metallurg'' Belarus), Edijs Brahmanis (''Riga 2000''), Sergejs Pecura (''Riga 2000''), Roberts Jekimovs (''Brynas IF'' Sweden), Roberts Bukarts (''Krilya sovetov'' Russia) and Kaspars Daugavins (''St.Michael's Majors'' Canada, Ontario Hockey League).