Latvian Hockey News Report

Just several days after Kaspars Astasenko was released from Kazakh league club Beibarys Atyrau, the number of Latvians in the club has been increased to five, with the signing of defenders Atvars Tribuncovs and Sergejs Tjoluskins, reports Kazakh federation’s homepage.

After failing to make the Beibarys Atyrau roster, 27-year-old Latvian Sergejs Tjoluskins signed with Lindlovens IF of the Swedish Division 1, where he played 22 games. Atvars Tribuncovs, however, began the season with HK SMS Credit of the Latvian league. 34-year-old defender in the past has played several seasons in such leagues as Russian Super League, Swedish Elitserien, DEL. He spent also majority of 2008-09 with Dinamo Riga of the KHL.

The very first news on Latvians joining Beibarys appeared in August, when Beibarys held their pre-season camp in Latvia and three Latvians joined the club for a try-out. A little while later another two Latvians joined the camp, but at the end of the camp only Raitums, Birzins and Smirnovs were signed, leaving Elvis Zelubovskis and Sergejs Tjoluskins without a contract. Later on also Kaspars Astasenko joined Beibarys, however he was released from the club after playing 14 games.

After not being able to sign with both Beibarys Atyrau of Kazakh league and Vastervik IK of Swedish Division 1, Latvian forward Elvis Zelubovskis has now signed a one-week try-out with Lyon, playing in the French Division 2 (third-tier).

Last year Zelubovskis began the season in the Belarusian Extraleague club Gomel, but, after posting 11 points in 29 games, was released mid-season and finished 2009/10 with HK Ozolnieki/Monarhs of the Latvian league. Zelubovskis has decent Latvian and Belarusian Extraleague experience.

After last season, when France was a newly discovered destination for Latvian players, this season Zelubovskis is only the fifth Latvian to join a French club.

This list was last updated in mid-January, 2011.

As some of the European leagues have already started their 2010/11 seasons and many others are on the very verge of it, I believe, it is exactly the right time to post a list of all the Latvian players, spending their upcoming seasons abroad. The current list includes 150 players.

This list is never going to be fully complete and that is why any additions or corrections are welcomed at the comments section.

North America

• National hockey league
  

1. Karlis Skrastins – Dallas Stars
2. Oskars Bartulis – Philadelphia Flyers
3. Raitis Ivanans – Calgary Flames
4. Arturs Kulda – Atlanta Thrashers (a possible call-up)

• American hockey league
  

1. Arturs Kulda – Chicago Wolves
2. Kaspars Daugavins – Binghamton Senators
3. Oskars Bartulis – Adirondack Phantoms

• Western hockey league
  

1. Kristians Pelss – Edmonton Oil Kings

• United States hockey league

1. Zemgus Girgensons – Dubuque Fighting Saints

• ACHA

1. Renars Rukmanis – Duquesne University

• MetJHL

1. Hedijs Pleskacovs – Florida Eels
2. Livars Lans – Florida Eels

• NAHL

1. Nils Semjonovs – Aberdeen Wings
2. Ralfs Freibergs – Texas Tornado
3. Ricards Berzins – Wenatchee Wild

• GMHL

1. Nikita Jevpalovs – South Muskoka Shield
2. Toms Taurins – Bradford Rattlers
3. Rudolfs Prusis – Bradford Rattlers

• CSHL

1. Nauris Buskevics – Quad City Jr. Flames

• WSHL

1. Alberts Boluss – Texas Jr. Brahmas
2. Ivo Dimitrijevs – Arizona Redhawks

• IJHL

1. Mareks Kepals – Boston Jr. Blackhawks
2. Girts Savrinovics – Philadelphia Jackals

• RAMHL

1. Ainis Zalans – Sisec Selects
2. Rihards Marenis – Sisec Selects
3. Davis Sprukts – Sisec Selects

• Midget AAA

1. Hardijs Kupaks – Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets
2. Mikus Sprinovskis – PEAC Piranhas

• Midget AA

1. Rudolfs Kalvitis – Shattuck St. Mary’s

• Prep School

1. Teodors Blugers – Shattuck St. Mary’s
2. Olafs Jurenko – Cedarburg Bulldogs

• Rocky Mountain Senior hockey league
  

1. Ivars Muzis – Sun Valley Suns
2. Vilnis Nikolaisons – Sun Valley Suns

Europe

Austria

• Austrian Oberliga (third tier)

1. Matiss Gelazis – Graz 99ers II (also plays in Slovenian league)
2. Zintis Zusevics – Graz 99ers II (also plays in Slovenian league)

Belarus

• Belarussian Extraleague

1. Atvars Tribuncovs – Gomel

• MHL

1. Edgars Ulescenko – Yunost
2. Aleksandrs Kercs jr. – Yunost
3. Aleksandrs Galkins – Zubry Minsk

Czech Republic

• Czech Extraliga

1. Aleksejs Sirokovs – HC Kometa Brno

• Czech 2. liga (third tier)

1. Aleksandrs Baburins – HC Most

Denmark

• Al-Bank Ligaen

1. Sergejs Cubars – Hvidovre

• Denmark2

1. Oskars Jursans – Gladsaxe
2. Dmitrijs Orlovs – Amager Ishockey

Estonia

• Meistriliiga

1. Maris Lotko – HK Kalev-Valk Tartu
2. Lauris Dancis – HK Kalev-Valk Tartu
3. Davis Zunde – HK Kalev-Valk Tartu

Finland

• SM-liiga

1. Kaspars Saulietis – HPK
2. Armands Berzins – HPK

• Mestis

1. Roberts Jekimovs – Jokipojat

• Suomi-sarja

1. Gints Purins – Hermes
2. Gatis Gricinskis – Hermes
3. Janis Purins – Hermes
4. Raitis Pujats – FPS
5. Mihails Koklins – HC Levia

• Finland4

1. Girts Jansons – Muik Hockey
2. Viktors Jasjonis – IK Kronan
3. Artjoms Ogorodnikovs – IK Kronan
4. Vadims Vabiscevics – Kraft
5. Edgars Cermnihs – Kraft
6. Vladislavs Dudins – Kraft
7. Janis Liepa – PyPo
8. Edgars Dzirkalis – PyPo
9. Roberts Danemanis – PyPo
10. Nauris Enkuzens – Kiekkohait
11. Martins Gipters – Kiekkohait

• Jr. B I-divisioona

1. Konstantis Sipunovs – Ahmat Hyvinkaa U18

France

• Ligue Magnus

1. Olegs Koreskovs – Morzine-Avoriaz

• Division 1
  

1. Rolands Vigners – Reims
2. Raimonds Danilics – Montpellier
3. Janis Brakss – Montpellier
4. Janis Straupe – Montpellier

• Division 2

1. Elvis Zelubovskis – Lyon

• French U22 league

1. Rolands Vigners – Reims U22

Germany

• DEL

1. Herberts Vasiljevs – Krefeld Pinguine

• Regionalliga

1. Lauris Ziemins – Herford

• U20 Bundesliga

1. Janis Berzins – ESC Moskitos Essen U20

• DNL

1. Arturs Birstins – SC Riessersee U18
2. Vladislavs Tatarnikovs- SC Riessersee U18

Great Britain

• EIHL

1. Toms Hartmanis – Newcastle Vipers
2. Ervins Mustukovs – Sheffield Steelers
3. Aivars Gaisins – Hull Stingrays

• EPIHL

1. Maris Ziedins – Peterborough Phantoms
2. Kristaps Pete – Sheffield Steeldogs
3. Kriss Grundmanis – Sheffield Steeldogs
4. Edgars Bebris – Sheffield Steeldogs (according to eliteprospects.com, has gained an UK citizenship)
5. Janis Ozolins – Sheffield Steeldogs
6. Andrejs Maslovskis – Telford Tigers

Italy

• Serie A

1. Agris Saviels – Valpellice

• Serie B

1. Olegs Sorokins – Vipiteno

Kazakhstan

• Kazakh league

1. Martins Raitums – Beibarys Atyrau
2. Andrejs Smirnovs – Beibarys Atyrau
3. Sergejs Tjoluskins – Beibarys Atyrau

Lithuania

• Ledo Ritulio Lyga

1. Vladimirs Parhomenko – Ledo Linija Siauliai
2. Arturs Batraks – Ledo Linija Siauliai
3. Raitis Brinecs – Ledo Linija Siauliai
4. Andris Valters – Ledo Linija Siauliai
5. Igors Birjukovs – Sadvita Klaipeda
6. Kristaps Buzats – Sadvita Klaipeda
7. Nikita Dobrenkijs – Sadvita Klaipeda
8. Aleksejs Proposins – Sadvita Klaipeda
9. Guntis Pujats – Sadvita Klaipeda

Netherlands

• Eredivisie

1. Aleksandrs Terjohins – Heerenveen Flyers

Norway

• Get Division (second thier)
  

1. Janis Smits – Comet

Poland

• Polish 2nd league

1. Toms Bluks – Sokoly Torun
2. Edgars Adamovics – Sokoly Torun
3. Andrejs Lavrenovs – Sokoly Torun

Russia

• KHL

1. Martins Cipulis – Amur Khabarovsk
2. Georgijs Pujacs – Sibir Novosibirsk
3. Aleksandrs Jerofejevs – Metallurg Novokuznetsk
4. Edgars Masalskis – Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
5. Maris Jass – Neftekhimik Niznekamsk

• VHL

1. Sergejs Pecura – Krylia Sovetov

• MHL

1. Artjoms Dasutins – HK Sheriff
2. Edgars Ulescenko – Yunost
3. Aleksandrs Kercs jr. – Yunost
4. Ronalds Cinks – Krylia Sovetov
5. Aleksandrs Galkins – Zubry Minsk

• Russian 1st league

1. Andrejs Ignatovics – Titan Klin
2. Juris Ozols – Tital Klin

Slovenia

• Slovenian league
  

1. Matiss Gelazis – Graz 99ers II (also plays in Austrian Oberliga)
2. Zintis Zusevics – Graz 99ers II (also plays in Austrian Oberliga)

Sweden

• Division 1

1. Aleksandrs Semjonovs – Arboga
2. Rolands Gritans – Arboga
3. Arturs Ozolins – Karlskrona HK
4. Maksims Sirokovs – Karlskrona HK
5. Sergejs Louskins – Lindlovens IF
6. Renars Undelis – Lindlovens IF
7. Alberts Ilisko – Nynashamns IF
8. Valters Ozolins – Arlanda
9. Krists Kalnins – Arlanda
10. Aleksandrs Macijevskis – Bjorkloven
11. Nikolajs Jerofejevs – Tranas

• Division 2

1. Martins Ozolins – Sollentuna HC
2. Toms Tilla – Sollentuna HC
3. Aleksandrs Bebriss-Fedotovs – Vannas HC
4. Roberts Potapenko – Vannas HC
5. Vadims Maticins – Jonstorps IF

• Division 3

1. Elvis Veldze – Syrianska/Armeniska HC
2. Oskars Blums – Syrianska/Armeniska HC

• J20 Elit

1. Kristaps Legzdins – Sunne J20

• J20 Div. 1

1. Boriss Tretjakovs – Arboga J20

• J18 Elit

1. Martins Lavrovs – Arlanda J18
2. Edgars Klavins – Lidingo J18
3. Ansis Brikainis – Lidingo J18
4. Kristaps Riekstins – Lidingo J18
5. Kristaps Bazevics – Lidingo J18
6. Girts Zemitis – Nacka HK J18
7. Roberts Smits – Nykoping J18
8. Aleksandrs Bebriss-Fedotovs – Vannas J18
9. Roberts Potapenko – Vannas J18

• J18 Div. 1

1. Boriss Tretjakovs – Arboga J18
2. Romans Semjonovs – Arboga J18

Switzerland

• NLB

1. Ronalds Kenins – GC/Kusnacht Lions
2. Eriks Ozollapa – Basel

• 1. Amateur Regio League (third tier)

1. Gundars Berkis – Chiasso

• Elite Jr. A

1. Juris Zandovskis – Gotteron U20
2. Martins Mezulis – Gotteron U20
3. Ronalds Kenins – GCK/ZSC Lions U20

• Elite Jr. B

1. Janis Kenins – Thurgau U20

• Elite Novizen

1. Elvis Merkzlikins – Lugano U18
2. Deivids Sarkanis – Lugano U18
3. Ivars Punnenovs – Pikes Oberthurgau U18

It has been two weeks, since the Beibarys Atyrau camp in Latvia ended and four(not three!) of the Latvian players, who were in the camp, were about to be signed. However, contracts would be signed only once they arrived in Kazakhstan. That has not happened as of yet, while all four players are still waiting for a visa.

Let me remind you that there were five players in the club for a try-out – Martins Raitums, Sergejs Tjoluskins, Ricards Birzins, Andrejs Smirnovs and Elvis Zelubovskis. Although it was previously announced that only Raitums, Birzins and Smirnovs had impressed coaches enough to be signed, also Sergejs Tjoluskins is currently waiting for a visa, in order to get on a flight to Kazakhstan.

The only Latvian player cut, Elvis Zelubovskis, just days after the camp ended joined Vastervik IK of the Swedish Division 1. For a try-out…

Finnish Suomi-Sarja (third tier) club Hermes, where five Latvian where trying to earn a spot on the team’s roster, decided to sign two of them – defender Gints Purins and forward Gatis Gricinskis. Both players signed a one-year contract with the club. Renars Undelis is still with the club, while Janis Bullitis has been released.

Still, they are only few of the Latvians, currently for a try-out in Finnish clubs. Edgars Cermnihs and Vadims Vabiscevics are still trying to impress the coaching staff of S-Kiekko (Suomi-sarja). Older brother of Gints Purins, Janis, is currently fighting for a spot on the Mestis (second thier) club Kiekko-Vantaa roster. Also Latvian national team forward Kaspars Saulietis is pursuing his try-out at HPK of SM-liiga.

Outside Finland, Elvis Zelubovskis is for a try-out in Vastervik IK of the Swedish Divison 1, but the 17-year-old is currently in Salzburg, trying to earn a spot on the second team’s roster.

Yesterday, on August 16, the Kazakh league club Beibarys Atyrau pre-season camp finished and out of the five Latvians, who joined the camp for a try-out, three of them received a contract offer, reports icebox.lv.

The three players, who have received a contract offer, are goalie Martins Raitums, defenceman Ricards Birzins and forward Andrejs Smirnovs. However, Elvis Zelubovskis did not impress the coaching staff of Beibarys enough to sign a contract with the club, while Sergejs Tjoluskins was not eager to wait for the Kazakh visa so long.

Before the Beibarys camp had started, Kazakh media announced that goaltender Martins Raitums was close to signing with another Kazakh club – Ertis Pavlodar, but already by then it was known, that Ertis is not the only Kazakh league club interested in Martins. At this point it is not certain, where exactly will Martins spend the next season.

During the training camp Beibarys played several exhibition games against Latvian clubs – they won HK Riga 3:2, and played two games also against Metalurgs Liepaja – 0:2 and 4:2.

Kazakh club Beibarys Atyrau, who is still continuing their pre-season camp in Latvia, has been joined by another two Latvian players – Ricards Birzins and Andrejs Smirnovs, reports their representative – Baltic Sport Agency.

They are joining three Latvians, who are already in the camp – Martins Raitums, Elvis Zelubovskis and Sergejs Tjoluskins. It is expected that players might sign contracts by August 16, when the camp will end and the team will return to Kazakhstan.

This week the team will play three friendlies – today, on August 11, they will face Metalurgs Liepaja, on August 13 they will match-up HK Riga, but the next day they will once again play against Metalurgs.

Latvians Martins Raitums, Elvis Zelubovskis and Sergejs Tjoluskins will take part in a pre-season training camp of Kazakh league club Beibarys Atyrau, which will take place in Latvia. It is expected that players might sign contracts by August 16, when the camp will end and the team will return to Kazakhstan.

Just recently Kazakh media announced that goaltender Martins Raitums is close to signing with another Kazakh club – Ertis Pavlodar, but already by then it was known, that Ertis is not the only Kazakh league club interested in Martins.

Zelubovskis spent majority of the previous season in Belarusian league club Gomel. By the European hockey trade deadline he was fired and joined HK Ozolnieki/Monarhs of Latvian league. 27-year-old Tjoluskins spent several past season with Metalurgs Liepaja.