Latvian Legion 2012/13

Latest Update: November 25, 2012 (+K.Jass, Kolesnikovs, D.Zembergs, Orlovs, Fadejevs, Susters, Puide, Lazarevs, Zauers; updated Lusins, M.Sirokovs, Boluss; – Brakss, Laucins, Vilkoits, Jasunovs, Kusins)

This is a list of all the Latvian players abroad for the 2012/13 season. The current list includes 174 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

• NHL (contracts)
  

1. Kaspars Daugavins – Ottawa Senators
2. Zemgus Girgensons – Buffalo Sabres (a possible call-up)

• AHL

1. Kristians Pelss – Oklahoma City Barons
2. Zemgus Girgensons – Rochester Americans

• ECHL

1. Kristians Pelss – Stockton Thunder

• QMJHL

1. Nikita Jevpalovs – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

• WHL

1. Edgars Kulda – Edmonton Oil Kings
2. Roberts Lipsbergs – Seattle Thunderbirds
3. Rinalds Rosinskis – Prince George Cougars

• NCAA

1. Ralfs Freibergs – Bowling Green State University (suspended for most of 12/13 for playing pro back in 09/10)
2. Teodors Blugers – Minnesota State University (Mankato)

• NAHL

1. Kristaps Bazevics – Johnstown Tomahawks
2. Rihards Marenis – Amarillo Bulls

• EJHL

1. Haralds Egle – Portland Junior Pirates

• GMHL

1. Aleksandrs Smetanins – Toronto Canada Moose
2. Markus Olesko – Bracebridge Phantoms
3. Edgars Ozolins – Bracebridge Phantoms
4. Konstantins Sipunovs – Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks
5. Juris Dembickis – Rama Aces
6. Janis Metra – Bobcaygeon Bucks

• FHL

1. Toms Tilla – Danbury Whalers

• NA3HL

1. Toms Taurins – Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
2. Nauris Buskevics – Quad City Jr. Flames

• WSHL

1. Hedijs Pleskacovs – Seattle Totems
2. Roberts Rabcevskis – Phoenix Knights
3. Aleksandrs Bebriss-Fedotovs – Dallas Snipers

• EmJHL

1. Arturs Buss – South Shore Kings
2. Toms Laus – Salem Ice Dogs

• EJEPL

1. Davis Zembergs – Boston Bandits

• HJHL

1. Edgars Fridrihsons – Banff Academy Bears

• NAPHL

1. Nikita Klinisovs – New Jersey Jr. Titans

• NORPAC

1. Krisjanis Reinfelds – Eugene Generals

• Midget AAA

1. Rudolfs Kalvitis – Shattuck St. Mary’s

• Bantam

1. Roberts Blugers – Shattuck St. Mary’s

Europe

Austria

• EBEL

1. Matiss Gelazis – Graz 99ers
2. Zintis Nauris Zusevics – Graz 99ers

• Austria U20

1. Matiss Gelazis – Graz 99ers U20
2. Zintis Nauris Zusevics – Graz 99ers U20
3. Aleksejs Dokutovics – EHC Linz U20
4. Reinis Skorovs – Lower Austria Stars

Belarus

• Belarusian Extraleague

1. Atvars Tribuncovs – Gomel

Czech Republic

• Czech 1. liga

1. Kriss Grundmanis – HC Most

• Czech3

1. Aleksandrs Baburins – HC Chotebor

Denmark

• AL-Bank Ligaen
  

1. Sergejs Cubars – Copenhagen Hockey
2. Edgars Lusins – Copenhagen Hockey

• Denmark2

1. Rodijs Razmus – IK Aarhus
2. Davis Paipa – IK Aarhus
3. Dmitrijs Orlovs – Amager Ishockey

Estonia

• Estonian league

1. Sergejs Tsernikovs – Tallinn Viking Sport
2. Romans Sumihins – Tallinn Viking Sport

Finland

• SM-liiga

1. Roberts Jekimovs – SaIPa

• Mestis

1. Martins Jakovlevs – Jokipojat (on loan from Dinamo Riga)
2. Vitalijs Pavlovs – Jokipojat (on loan from Dinamo Riga)

• Suomi-sarja

1. Kristaps Nimanis – Red Ducks
2. Vladislavs Balakuns – IPK
3. Peteris Pujats – IPK
4. Nauris Enkuzens – Hermes
5. Vladislavs Dudins – Hermes
6. Gatis Gricinskis – HC Satakunta
7. Raitis Pujats – FPS

• II-divisioona

1. Andrejs Kostjukovs – Nikkarit
2. Viktors Jasjonis – Lamarit
3. Gatis Bruders – Lamarit
4. Karlis Liepins – Lamarit
5. Sergejs Petuskovs – LLuja
6. Edgars Cermnihs – LLuja
7. Roberts Mazins – Karhu HT
8. Vjaceslavs Fanduls – Karhu HT
9. Girts Jansons – Muik Hockey
10. Deniss Martjusovs – Hela-Kiekko
11. Danils Lazebniks – Hela-Kiekko
12. Kirils Lazebniks – Hela-Kiekko
13. Girts Savrinovics – Hela-Kiekko
14. Vladimirs Borovkovs – Hela-Kiekko
15. Vadims Vabiscevics – PyPo
16. Renats Vabiscevics – PyPo
17. Norberts Danemanis – PyPo

• Finland5

1. Gints Leitis – KK-V
2. Sergejs Piskunovs – KK-V
3. Ricards Simsons – Jeppis II
4. Deniss Martjusovs – Hela-Kiekko II
5. Danils Lazebniks – Hela-Kiekko II
6. Kirils Lazebniks – Hela-Kiekko II
7. Girts Savrinovics – Hela-Kiekko II
8. Vladimirs Borovkovs – Hela-Kiekko II

France

• France2

1. Sergejs Visegorodcevs – Annecy
2. Rolands Vigners – Bordeaux
3. Martins Mezulis – Bordeaux (leased from Red Ice)
4. Raimonds Danilics – Montpellier
5. Sergejs Louskins – Neuilly-sur-Marne
6. Edmunds Kniksts – Reims

Germany

• DEL

1. Herberts Vasiljevs – Krefeld Pinguine
2. Maris Jass – Hannover Scorpions

• Oberliga

1. Eriks Ozollapa – Adendorfer EC
2. Davis Sprukts – Hamburger SV
3. Kristers Freibergs – Hamburger SV
4. Edgars Apelis – ERV Schweinfurt

• Germany4

1. Rihards Grigors – Dinslakener EC 2009 Kobras

• Germany5

1. Romans Nikitins – EHC Stiftland Mitterteich

• Germany6

1. Raimonds Poskuss – VfE Ulm/Neu-Ulm

• DNL

1. Roberts Cerins – EV Fussen U18

• Junioren-BL

1. Davis Sprukts – Hamburger SV U20
2. Krisjanis Abolins-Abols – EHC Klostersee U20

• Schuler-BL

1. Ritvars Lubeckis – EJ Kassel U16

Iceland

• Iceland

1. Edmunds Ingass – Hunar

Kazakhstan

• Kazakh league

1. Arturs Ozolins – Arlan Kokshetau
2. Renars Demiters – Arlan Kokshetau
3. Andrejs Smirnovs – Arlan Kokshetau
4. Edijs Brahmanis – Arystan Temirtau
5. Toms Hartmanis – Arystan Temirtau
6. Martins Raitums – Beibarys Atyrau

Netherlands

• Dutch Cup

1. Aleksandrs Terjohins – Friesland Flyers

Norway

• GET-Ligaen

1. Aleksandrs Macijevskis – Stjernen Ishockey

• Norway2

1. Janis Smits – Comet

• Norway3

1. Kristaps Stigis – IL Krakene

• Norway U16

1. Rudolfs Balcers – Lorenskog U16

Russia

• KHL

1. Lauris Darzins – Ak Bars Kazan
2. Sandis Ozolins – Atlant Mytishchi
3. Georgijs Pujacs – Avangard Omsk
4. Janis Sprukts – CSKA Moscow
5. Mikelis Redlihs – Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
6. Arturs Kulda – Sibir Novosibirsk
7. Edgars Masalskis – Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
8. Oskars Bartulis – Donbass Donetsk

• VHL

1. Aleksandrs Jerofejevs – Kuban Krasnodar

• MHL

1. Kirils Tambijevs – Khimik Voskresensk
2. Artjoms Dasutins – HK MVD

• MHL B

1. Toms Taurins – Baltica Vilnius

Slovakia

• Extraliga

1. Koba Jass – MsHK Zilina (try-out)
2. Nikita Kolesnikovs – HC Banska Bystrica

Spain

• Liga Nacional

1. Vadims Adonevs – CD Hielo Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz
2. Niks Apsitis – CD Hielo Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz

Sweden

• Elitserien

1. Edgars Klavins – AIK

• Allsvenskan

1. Ervins Mustukovs – Mora IK

• Division 1

1. Kristaps Legzdins – Surahammars IF
2. Alberts Ilisko – IFK Kumla
3. Romans Semjonovs – IFK Arboga
4. Rolands Gritans – IFK Arboga
5. Sandis Zolmanis – Mjolby HC

• Division 2

1. Vadims Maticins – Varberg HK
2. Sandis Zolmanis – Motala AIF

• Division 4

1. Mareks Kocuba – IFK Mariehamn

• J20 SuperElit

1. Edgars Klavins – AIK J20

• J20 Elit

1. Roberts Potapenko – Nykopings HK J20
2. Sandis Zolmanis – Mjolby HC J20

• J20 Division 2
  

1. Antons Jasunovs – Lidingo Vikings J20

• J18 Elit

1. Roberts Locans – AIK J18
2. Niklavs Birovs – Almtuna J18
3. Rolands Punculis – Nynashamns IF J18
4. Aleksandrs Zujevs – Nynashamns IF J18

• J18 Division 1

1. Antons Jasunovs – Lidingo Vikings J18
2. Kristians Copejs – Hedemora SK J18
3. Brendons Zauers – Vanersborgs HC J18

• TV-pucken

1. Edgars Treijs – Ostergotland

Switzerland

• NLA

1. Ronalds Kenins – ZSC Lions
2. Juris Zandovskis – Gotteron

• NLB

1. Aleksejs Sirokovs – Red Ice
2. Martins Mezulis – Red Ice (leased from Bordeaux)

• Regio League
  

1. Gundars Berkis – Chiasso

• Switzerland4

1. Aleksandrs Fadejevs – Renens HC

• Junioren Elite A

1. Elvis Merzlikins – Lugano U20
2. Juris Zandovskis – Gotteron U20
3. Toms Andersons – Bern U20
4. Ivars Punnenovs – Rapperswil U20

• Elite Novizen

1. Rihards Puide – Pikes Oberthurgau U17
2. Marks Lazarevs – Pikes Oberthurgau U17

• Junioren Regio League

1. Marcis Martinsons – EHC Dubendorf

Turkey

• Turkish league

1. Olegs Koreskovs – Izmir BB

Ukraine

• Ukrainian league

1. Dmitrijs Zabotinskis – Dynamo Kharkov
2. Elvis Zelubovskis – Dynamo Kharkov
3. Armands Berzins – Kompanion Kiev
4. Agris Saviels – Kompanion Kiev
5. Juris Stals – Kompanion Kiev
6. Janis Andersons – Kompanion Kiev
7. Eriks Golubevs – Bilyy Bars Brovary
8. Vitalijs Hvorostinins – Bilyy Bars Brovary
9. Alberts Boluss – Bilyy Bars Brovary
10. Sergejs Pecura – Levy Lviv
11. Maksims Sirokovs – Levy Lviv
12. Kaspars Saulietis – Sokol Kiev

United Kingdom

• EIHL

1. Marcis Zembergs – Edinburgh Capitals
2. Janis Ozolins – Hull Stingrays

• EPIHL

1. Maris Ziedins – Peterborough Phantoms
2. Edgars Bebris – Sheffield Steeldogs

• NIHL

1. Maksims Petruks – Milton Keynes Thunder
2. Ivo Dmitrijevs – Blackburn Hawks
3. Janis Grinbergs – Fylde Flyers

• EIHA U18

1. Niks Trapans – Lee Valley Lions
2. Raivis Sadinovs – Kingston Predators
3. Olegs Lascenko – Romford Buccaneers
4. Toms Rutkis – Guildford Phoenix
5. Ralfs Circenis – Guildford Phoenix
6. Martins Susters – Peterborough Junior Phantoms

• EIHA U16

1. Eduards Hugo Jansons – Okanagan

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Tribuncovs and Tjoluskins join Beibarys

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.

Zelubovskis for another try-out

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.

Latvian Legion 2010/11

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

Atyrau remains unapproachable

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…

Hermes sign Purins and Gricinskis

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.

Beibarys willing to sign three Latvians

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.