Last term, the Latvians completed one of the biggest sensations in the World Junior Championship (WJC), when forward Eriks Mateiko netted the game-winning shootout in the round-robin game over Team Canada to celebrate a 3-2 historical win.
The Latvians didn’t deliver other sensations, but they did reach the quarterfinals stage, with Mateiko netting another game-winner against Team Germany for their second win in the round-robin. In the quarterfinals, Team Sweden was up by three by the mid-game mark, so Mateiko’s double wasn’t enough for the Latvians. Here is a roster projection for 2026.
Team Latvia’s Forwards
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| Daniels Serkins* SC Bern U21, Switzerland | Oliver Murnieks* Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL | Bruno Osmanis* IF Björklöven, Swe-2 |
| Maksims Pumpins HC Poruba U20, Czechia | Rudolfs Berzkalns* Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL | Roberts Naudins Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U, USHS |
| Markuss Sieradzkis* HC Plzen U20, Czechia | Edvins Berzins* Watertown Shamrocks, NAHL | Antons Macijevskis* Watertown Shamrocks, NAHL |
| Daniels Reidzans EHC Biel U21, Switzerland | Martins Klaucans* Sherbrook Phoenix, QMJHL | Dmitrijs Dilevka* Brooks Bandits, BCHL |
| Kristers Ansons HK Mogo, Latvia | Roberts Polis HS Riga, Latvia | Kristers Obuks HS Riga, Latvia |
*indicates returning skater
With Mateiko gone, the Latvians will have to find a replacement, and at this level, it isn’t easy for the smaller countries, more prone to single-player exploits. The Latvians will bring to Minnesota a young squad with several returnees, led by Bruno Osmanis, a late-2006-born who was surprisingly passed on at last year’s selections. He has all the tools to make a strong impression again this season, but repeating Mateiko’s performance will be hard.
Related: Guide to the 2026 World Junior Championship
Most likely, head coach Artis Abols will bring to the US an offensive roster made of players from abroad leagues, although there may be space for a couple of domestic options, like former Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) player Kristers Ansons. The Latvians will try to take advantage of chemistry and international experience over age – a very young roster is to be expected from the team.
It will be interesting to see whether Abols, at his fifth WJC as Team Latvia’s head coach, will play Edvins Berzins and Antons Macijevskis together, both lining up for the Watertown Shamrocks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The latter is the son of Aleksandrs, a well-known player in Europe who played professionally at home and in Russia, Belarus, Finland, Denmark, and more.
Team Latvia’s Defensemen
| Left Defense | Right Defense |
| Darels Uljanskis* Flint Firebirds, OHL | Alberts Smits Jukurit, Finland |
| Harijs Cjunskis* Brooks Bandits, BCHL | Oskars Briedis* Lulea HF U20, Sweden |
| Krisjanis Sarts* Blackfalds Bulldogs, BCHL | Martins Vitols HK Zemgale, Latvia |
| Rolands Naglis SC Bern U21, Switzerland |
*indicates returning skater
It’s hard to think that most of the defensive responsibility will lie on different players than Darels Uljanskis and Albert Smits. Uljanskis, a draft pick for the Anaheim Ducks in 2024, moved to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after spending several seasons in Sweden. Smits is having a strong season in the Finnish Liiga and can become a first-round pick next spring.
Two other interesting options on the blue line will be Harijs Cjunskis and Oskars Briedis. Both playing abroad, and both being there last year, they will bring experience and defensive awareness to a team that will desperately need depth to repeat last year’s success.
Just like with the forwards, it’s likely that most of the time on ice will be given to players from abroad, again with a couple of spots available to domestic options.
Team Latvia’s Goalies
| Goaltender |
| Nils Roberts Maurins Omaha Lancers, USHL |
| Mikus Vecvanags Newfoundland Regiment, QMJHL |
| Ivans Kufterins Kamloop Blazers, WHL |
The Latvians will bring to Minnesota an all-new goaltending lineup, as last year’s goalies were all 2005-born. Linards Feldbergs had a good tournament, and this year the most likely contenders for his throne will be Nils Roberts Maurins and 2024 Montreal Canadiens’ draft pick Mikus Vecvanags. Up-and-coming Patriks Plumins, a 2008-born netminder, is probably too young for the tournament just yet.
Avoiding Relegation
At this point, Team Latvia’s most realistic goal will be avoiding relegation, being that via relegation round or like last year getting to the quarterfinals. It won’t be easy with such a young roster, but motivation, chemistry, and international experience can get any team far in a short tournament.
