Men's Ice Hockey IIHF World Championship 2019

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TEAM LATVIA

 

 

Goaltenders:

 

Kristers Gudlevskis (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Gustavs Davis Grigals (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA, )

Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL, )

 

Defencers:

 

Uvis Balinskis (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Kristaps Sotnieks (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Kristaps Zile (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Oskars Cibulskis (Mountfield Hradec Králové, )

Ralfs Freibergs (PSG Berani Zlín, )

Arturs Kulda (Severstal Cherepovets, KHL, )

Guntis Galvinš (HC Oceláři Třinec, )

Janis Jaks (American International College, NCAA, )

 

Forwards:

 

Oskars Batna (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Gints Meija (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Martinš Dzierkals (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Lauris Darzinš (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Emils Gegeris (Dinamo Riga, KHL)

Rihards Marenis (HK MOGO)

Rodrigo Abols (Örebro HK, )

Miks Indrašis (Dinamo Moscow, KHL, )

Rihards Bukarts (Schwenninger Wild Wings, )

Roberts Bukarts (Sparta Prague, )

Ronalds Keninš (Lausanne HC, )

Rudolfs Balcers (Ottawa Senators, NHL, )

Teodors Blugers (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL, )

Maris Bicevskis (HK Muntfield Hradec Králové, )

 

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The Canadian coach Bob Hartley announced yesterday the final roster for the World Champs.

 

He decided to take with him 28 players, so 3 of them will travel to Slovakia but will certainly not play in the preliminary round (where he can submit and registrate 25 players max. 3+22).

 

As always team Latvia´s axis will be formed by the KHL long years representative and nations most famous club Dinamo Riga players, this time we can find 9 players in the team.

 

Hartley received positive answers from 2 of their NHLers and Latvia will be reinforced in Slovakia by two forwards Rudolfs Balcers (Ottawa Senators) and Teodors Blugers (Pittsburgh Penguins), from North American ice arrived also two young talents of the Latvian hockey, the goalie Gustavs Davis Grigals of the Alaska University and the defencer Janis Jaks playing also the NCAA.

 

The goal of the team is the Quarterfinals (they achieved it last year) and the man who is supposed to lead them fot that is the 30 years old experienced captain the Spartak Moscow forward Kaspars Daugavinš (he is right now facing some minor injuries, he didn´t play the last 2 preparation games in Switzerland, but according to the news, he should be fit for the WCh. The same for Edgars Kulda from Zlín who actually also didn´t take part in these matches for injury, but will be apparently ok for the tournament).

 

The Goaltending #1 should and will be Kristers Gudlevskis (who in the past played some matches in NHL for Tampa Bay but spend the majority of his career in AHL before returning back home to Dinamo Riga).

We can find in the team also a couple of notable names like Oskars Cibulskis, Ralfs Freibergs, Guntis Galvinš and Roberts Bukarts all playing alongside with Kulda in the league, Rodrigo Abols play in (Örebro) and Ronalds Keninš who play in NLA for Lausanne.

 

Interesting is also to mention, Hartley did not take this year with him 2 long years members of the team, the extremely experienced veterans Mikelis Redlihs and Andris Džerinš, both were removed from the roster in this last cut.

 

 

played 6 preparation games before the tournament during the last weeks, they won 2 of them and both after Overtime/penalty Shoot-Outs (the most notable is the 2-1 OT over Russia) and 3:2 OT in France over the host team. In the remaining 4 matches they had to concede defeats 0-2 in France, 2-4 against Russia and in both last weekend matches in Switzerland against the Swiss 1-4 and 0-2.

 

 

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TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC

 

 

Goaltenders:

 

Patrik Bartošák (HC Vítkovice Ridera)

Šimon Hrubec (HC Oceláři Třinec)

Pavel Francouz (Colorado Avalanche, NHL, )

 

Defencers:

 

Michal Moravčík (HC Škoda Plzeň)

Petr Zámorský (Mountfield HK Hradec Králové)

David Musil (HC Oceláři Třinec)

Radko Gudas (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL, )

Filip Hronek (Detroit Red Wings, NHL, )

Jan Kolář (Amur Khabarovsk, KHL, )

Jan Rutta (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL, )

David Sklenička (Laval Rocket, AHL, )

 

Forwards:

 

Dmitrij Jaškin (Washington Capitals, NHL, )

Jakub Vrána (Washington Capitals, NHL, )

Jan Kovář (HC Škoda Plzeň)

Michael Frolík (Calgary Flames, NHL, )

Filip Chytil (New York Rangers, NHL, )

Dominik Kubalík (HC Ambri-Piotta, )

Ondřej Palát (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL, )

Michal Řepík (Vityaz Moscow Region, KHL, )

Dominik Simon (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL, )

Jakub Voráček (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL, )

Hynek Zohorna (Pelicans Lahti, )

Tomáš Zohorna (Amur Khabarovsk, KHL, )

Radek Faksa (Dallas Stars, NHL, )

Milan Gulaš (HC Škoda Plzeň)

 

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The next one to unveil their roster are our beloved brothers and former federal partners, the Czechs.

 

Miloš Říha announced his 25 players roster for the preliminary round. (formed by traditional 3 Golatenders, 8 defencers and 14 forwards).

 

will can count on the help of 10 NHLers (the defencers Radko Gudas, Jan Rutta and Filip Hronek and forwards Jakub Voráček, Dmitij Jaškin, Jakub Vrána, Filip Chytil, Ondřej Palát, Dominik Simon and Michael Frolík) + Sklenička from AHL. The very competitive squad is completed by very good players from strong leagues like Řepík, Kolář, Hanzl, Tomáš Zohorna and the goalie Jakub Kovář all from KHL clubs or Dominik Kubalík from league, Tomášek and the second of the Zohorna brothers Hynek arrived from league.

The remaining 6 spots are fullfiled by players from domestic extraliga.

 

The team will be with this squad definitely again one of the medal contenders.

 

This time we will not see in the Czech team players like defencers Jakub Krejčík, Jakub Jeřábek, Tomáš Kundrátek and forwards Martin Zaťovič or Jiří Sekáč which for several reasons didn´t made it to the final team

 

 

They played 9 preparation matches during the last weeks, including 3 in the last Euro Hockey stage at home in the Carlson Hockey Games.

with a impressive record 7 W - 2 L

 

They won all 6 "double matches", the first two against Austria 3-1 at home ice and 5-4 OT in Austria, then also both home games against Germany 5-4 and 5-4, followed by wins in both matches in Slovakia against the hosts 3-1 in Trenčín and 2-0 in Nitra.

The 7th win came in the Euro Hockey tournament over Sweden 3-0.

The only 2 defeats are also from the Euro Hockey Tour tournament 2-3 to Finland and 1-4 in their yesterdays last test match to the over-mighty Russia.

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TEAM FINLAND

 

 

Goaltenders:

 

Kevin Lankinen (Rockford IceHogs, AHL, )

Veini Vehviläinen (Kärpät Oulu)

Jussi Olkinuora (Pelicans Lahti)

 

Defencers:

 

Atte Ohtamaa (Kärpät Oulu)

Jani Hakanpää (Kärpät Oulu)

Mikko Lehtonen (HV 71 Jönköping, )

Oliwer Kaski (Pelicans Lahti)

Henri Jokiharju (Chicago Blackhawks, NHL, )

Petteri Lindbohm (Lausanne HC, )

Miika Koivisto (Dinamo Moscow, KHL, )

Niko Mikkola (San Antonio Rampage, AHL, )

 

Forwards:

 

Marko Anttila (Jokerit Helsinki, KHL)

Sakari Manninen (Jokerit Helsinki, KHL)

Arttu Ilomäki (Lukko Rauma)

Veli-Matti Savinainen (Kunlun Red Star, KHL, )

Niko Ojamäki (Tappara Tampere)

Kristian Kuusela (Tappara Tampere)

Juhani Tyrväinen (IFK Helsinki)

Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku)

Toni Rajala (EHC Biel, )

Eetu Luostarinen (KalPa Kuopio)

Joel Kiviranta (Vaasan Sport)

Jere Sallinen (Örebro HK, )

Harri Pesonen (SC Laugnau, )

Juho Lammikko (Florida Panthers, NHL, )

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9th team to introduce its final preliminary round roster is the "land of thousand lakes".

 

Jukka Jalonen will bring to Slovakia 25 players divided into traditional 3 Goaltenders, 8 Defencers and 14 Forwards.

 

but this time Finland will surprisingly not have so many NHLers in their ranks, in fact many NHL stars had to refuse the invitation mainly because of injuries.

This is the reason why we can find only 2 NHLers in their final squad. the 19 years old young Chicago Blackhawks defencer Henri Jokiharju who played 38 matches in NHL regular season this year with 12 assists and the Florida Panthers 23 years old forward Juho Lammikko who played 40 matches for the Panthers this season but also without scoring any goal and producing 6 assists.

 

The AHL reinforcements, Kevin Lankinen the Rockford goalie and Niko Mikkola the defencer of San Antonio are the two other players arriving from North American ice.

 

Overall the main part of the team is formed by players from domestic league (12 in total), the remaining places are fullfiled by players from KHL (4 -two from Jokerit Helsinki and one respectively from the chinese kunlun and russian Dinamo Moscow), and leagues.

 

One of the most followed player of this team will be for sure the super talented 18 years old supposed this years #2 NHL Draft Kaapo Kakko.

 

After the last test match Jalonen removed from the roster the last 6 names, the goalie Eetu Laurikainen, defencers Otto Leskinen, Tony Sund and Juuso Vainio, and forwards Joonas Nättinen and Arttu Ruotsalainen.

 

 

played 9 preparation matches (including 3 in the Euro Hockey Tour final stage in ) during last weeks

with a record of 7 wins against 2 defeats.

Quite interesting they lost only to Sweden (2 of the 3 games they played together) 1-3 at home and 1-2 during the Euro Hockey Tour last match yesterday in Brno, Czech Republic.

In other hand they won all remaining 7 games - 1-0 and 2-1 in Denmark against the hosts, 3-1 and 7-0 over Norway at home, their only win against Sweden in the preparation 5-4 at home and the two impressive wins in Czech Republic during the Euro Hockey Tour tournament 3-2 over the host Czech Republic and 3-1 against Russia.

 

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TEAM NORWAY

 

 

Goaltenders:

 

Jonas Arntzen (Leksand IF, )

Henrik Haukeland (TPS Turku, )

Henrik Holm (Stavanger Oilers)

 

Defencers:

 

Alexander Bonsaksen (KooKoo Kouvola, )

Christian Bull (Storhamar Dragons)

Stefan Espeland (Valerenga Ishockey Oslo)

Jonas Holös (HC Fribourg-Gottéron, )

Johannes Johannesen (Stavanger Oilers)

Christian Kasastul (Frisk Asker Ishockey)

Erlend Lesund (Mora IK, Div. II, )

Mattias Nörstebö (HC Frölunda Göteborg, )

 

Forwards:

 

Kristian Forsberg (Stavanger Oilers)

Michael Haga (Mora IK, Div. II, )

Tommy Kristiansen (Sparta Sarpsborg)

Niklas Roest (Sparta Sarpsborg)

Tobias Lindström (Valerenga Ishockey Oslo)

Martin Röymark (Valerenga Ishockey Oslo)

Andreas Martinsen (Chicago Blackhawks, NHL, )

Sondre Olden (Vienna Capitals, EBEL, )

Mathis Olimb (Skellefteå AIK, )

Mats Rosseli Olsen (HC Frölunda Göteborg, )

Thomas Valkvä Olsen (Leksand IF, )

Alexander Reichenberg (Färjestad BK, )

Patrick Thoresen (Storhamar Dragons)

Mathias Trettenes (Krefeld Penguine, )

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Petter Thoresen just announced his final roster for the world championships as well,

 

Norway will be reinforced by 1 NHLer in Slovakia, the Chicago Blackhawks forward Andreas Martinsen and 13 players from foreign leagues, including 8 from .

 

He also reveiled that the Goaltending #1 will be Henrik Haukeland from Finlands TPS Turku, the captain was named the experienced Jonas Holos from Fribourg and another notable stars of the team are Alexander Bonsaksen from KooKoo and Mattias Nörstebö of Frölunda.

 

The goals are expected from their league armada Mathis Olimb, Thomas Valkvä Olsen, Mats Rosseli Olsen or Mathias Trettenes from the german Krefeld .

 

Petter Thoresen called to the team also his son Patrick Thoresen from Storhamar, but the 35 years old former NHLer (Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers forwrad) is currently still facing troubles with injury and will certainly miss at least the last preparation match of the team tomorrow against Slovakia.

 

Norway is still waiting and hoping for reinforcement of another their huge star Mats Zuccarello Aasen, who is still playing with Dallas in the NHL Stanley Cup Play-Offs. (the series Dallas-St. Louis is currently tied 3-3, with the decisive match schedulled tomorrow)

 

 

played 6 preparation matches last weeks with 1 W -5 L

the only win came in their last game 4-3 OT over Denmark at home,

the loses 0-5 and 1-5 in Sweden, 1-3 and 0-7 in Finland and 0-1 to Denmark at home.

 

They will play one more match tomorrow in Michalovce against the host Slovakia, for both teams it will be the last test match before the World Championships.

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Road to Bratislava/Košice

 

Team Presentation

 

(4 Days to Go)

 

 

Russia

 

 

 

 

Team Jersey

 

Home

 

 

 

Away

 

 

 

 

Medal Record

 

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The organizing committee announced that everything is finalzed and ready for the start of the tournament. They presented to our medias the changing room of team, our players will use the biggest locker room in the arena, the locker room of the local club HC Košice for this tournament.

 

One fun fact, they also said they received request of accreditation from 700 journalists from all over the world, with the biggest exotics being the full TV crew from China and one journalist from Mongolia.

 

Images from our locker room and the ice rink of the Steel Arena

 

 

 

Spoiler