2024 World Junior Championship Preview: Team Latvia

Credit: Aksels Ozols (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

It’s been quite the journey for Latvia.

In 2022, the team was promoted to the top division after Russia was booted from the summer tournament. They managed to keep most of the roster that played at the Division IA tournament just a few months prior, so they managed to band together and beat Czechia to advance to the playoff round for the first time ever.

Latvia only snagged a single point in 2023, putting them in the relegation round. They managed to sweep Austria to stay alive, keeping Latvia in the top event for a third consecutive year for the first time in tournament history.

This time? Many in Latvia like the team’s chances to at least avoid the relegation round. Norway might be able top them if they fall to relegation, so beating Germany is the most important step forward for this group. They’ve got some weapons in the lineup, but will it be enough?

Goaltending

*Linards Feldbergs (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Goaltending will need to be the difference-maker in the round-robin – but none more important than their Dec. 30 game against Germany. Barring a shocking victory for the Germans, the winner of that will likely be the one that avoids relegation. Simon Wolf looks good for Germany, so Latvia will need one of their keepers to play the game of their life.

For now, Deivs Rolovs looks like the team’s No. 1. The Lone Star Brahmas standout has had a rock-solid campaign in his first year playing in North America, and it isn’t a surprise given his strong play in Latvia’s top pro league last year. Rolovs’ performance at the U-18s two years ago was better than the stats suggest – that’ll happen when your team gets peppered like Latvia was.

The Latvians could go with either Aksels Ozols and Linards Feldbergs and get a solid performance in net. Ozols was Latvia’s starting goalie at the 2023 U-18s and has been one of the few bright sides for the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders. He’s no stranger to high-danger scoring opportunities, something he’ll face often at this tournament if given the chance.

Feldbergs, meanwhile, has been playing against men this year after two years as Latvia’s backup at the WJC. He played some of his best hockey at the recent Baltic Challenge Cup, a tournament against men. He’s capable of coming in and playing hot, but the world juniors will be the biggest challenge of his career.

Defensemen

*Peteris Bulans (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Experience is helpful at a tournament like this, especially on a smaller team with little experience against future NHLers. Niks Fenenko is set for his third tournament with Latvia, having registered three points over the two years. He’s showing a more offensive style in his third year with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and should play the most minutes for this team, but his best value is as a shutdown defender.

Some NHL scouts took a deep look at Peteris Bulāns‘ game last season, but he ultimately went undrafted. He’s been a big part of Latvia’s U-18 team the past two years and after a good start with the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens this year, he’ll likely get significant ice time.

I thought Darels Uljanskis looked good at last year’s U-18s, despite failing to nab a point. He’s smart, can throw hits and does a good job of shutting things down. Scouts have given good reviews for his play with AIK’s U-20 team in Sweden, but this will be the biggest challenge for his career to date.

From there, the defensive depth leaves a bit to be worried about. Elvis Laskovs is a returning player, but he plays U-20 hockey in Austria, so this will be a bit out of his depth. Krists Retenais had a decent showing at the World Junior A Challenge last year and has played significantly against men this year, but I’m not sure he has the pace to keep up.

From a top-four perspective, Latvia has something going for them. Beyond that? It’s going to get ugly.

Forwards

*Eriks Mateiko (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

It’s rare to have multiple NHL prospects on a bottom team like this, but it might be what helps keep Latvia in the fight. Sandis Vilmanis (FLA) is having a strong season with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, playing at a 60-point rate. The Florida Panthers prospect didn’t have a great showing a year ago, but he’ll be an elder statesman with three previous world juniors under his belt. He’ll need to be a leader.

Then, there’s Dans Locmelis (BOS). He’s currently at UMass after an incredible Swedish U-20 season, and he also looked good as a 19-year-old on Latvia’s men’s World Championship team. He hasn’t had many opportunities to stand out in college, but his experience at that level could prove beneficial.

Likely joining them on the top line is Saint John Sea Dogs winger Ēriks Mateiko. The 6-foot-4 forward isn’t afraid to lay the body, and he uses brute force to beat defenders. He’s on pace for 75 points this year in his second season of major junior, so they’ll be looking for him as a finisher.

On the second line, Des Moines Buccaneers forward Dāvis Borozinskis is having a solid sophomore campaign. He’s not a high-output producer, but he’s a reliable two-way threat. He’ll likely join Wenatchee Wild center Rodžers Bukarts on the second line, with Bukarts showing some flashes of skill throughout his WHL rookie campaign. He’s buried a little in the lineup but this will be an opportunity for him to step up. Emīls Veckaktiņš could be a potential fit on the line too as a returning player currently in the midst of a big season in the Swiss U-20 league.

Two others with the potential to impress are Rainers Dārziņš and Rainers Rullers. Dārziņš hasn’t produced much with Skelleftea in the Swedish U-20 league, but he’s a good defensive forward who brings energy to every shift. Rullers, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-4 forward who uses his size to his advantage. He’s ready for his third run with Latvia’s U-20 team.

2024 NHL Draft

Mateiko has a realistic chance to become the first Latvian since Teodors Blugers in 2012 to go in the top two rounds of the NHL Draft. The large forward has great hands for his size, and he’s proactive defensively. He’s been a leader at every level, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. There’s NHL depth potential here.

Projection

Maybe they’ll give one of Canada, Finland or Sweden a bit of a scare, but I’m not expecting any real damage here. Making the quarterfinal is the goal for Latvia, and I think they’ll do it with a win over Germany. Latvia has higher-end scoring talent, but the Germans definitely have the advantage in net. If there’s anything Latvian hockey is good at, it’s having a sound structural game. They’ll need that if they’re going to avoid the relegation round.

Round-Robin Schedule

Local/ET Time

Dec. 26 vs. Sweden – 19:30 CET/1:30 PM ET
Dec. 27 vs. Canada – 19:30 CET/1:30 PM ET
Dec. 29 vs. Finland – 14:30 CET/8:30 AM ET
Dec. 30 vs. Germany – 19:30 CET/1:30 PM ET

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