This will be a very difficult question

“It’s a very difficult question. Dan played these games very well. We were surprised that after the flight he took part in the game the next day. And he also played in the second game,” stated Vītoliņš.

Over time, the Latvian national team will evaluate the situation with the players of the National Hockey League (NHL), who are scheduled to participate in the Stanley Cup. If the teams fail to play in the “play-off” preliminaries, the national team could be joined by reinforcements from North America.

“The problem is that Dan has a two-game disqualification. If we make room for Teodors Blūger and Uvi Balinski, then we will be able to apply a maximum of 20 players,” concluded Vītoliņš.

Lochmelis played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship this season, representing the University of Massachusetts Minutemen.

In his first season in North America, the Latvian forward scored seven goals and made seven assists in 30 matches.

Before that, Lochmelis played several seasons in the Swedish junior leagues in the “Lulea” club system.

The Latvian national team will play test matches against the Finnish national team on Wednesday and Thursday in Arena Riga. Tickets for matches can be purchased here.

Two test matches with Finland will be followed by two away meetings with Swiss hockey players (April 26 and 27).

On the other hand, on May 3 and 4, Latvian ice hockey players will play against Norway in “Arena Rīga”, concluding the preparation for the world championship with two test matches.

The Latvian national team will go to the world championship in the Czech Republic on May 9.

The 2024 championship will take place in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

In subgroup B of the World Championship, Latvia, which won bronze medals last year, will meet France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the USA.