Latvian Ice Hockey Federation confirms national team assistants, Irbe returns to Vītoliņš's staff

The Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) has officially confirmed the assistant coaches for its national teams for the 2026/2027 season. Harijs Vītoliņš will remain head coach of Latvia's senior national team for one more year, which was already known, and the make-up of his coaching staff has now been announced as well.

Senior team

Vītoliņš will be assisted this season by Sandis Ozoliņš, Peteri Nummelins, Lauris Dārziņš and Artūrs Irbe. Irbe's return stands out: he did not join the team at the most recent world championship because of a new addition to his family. Edgars Lūsiņš took charge of the goaltenders in his place at that tournament.

Youth teams

In the U20 national team, head coach Artis Ābols will be assisted by Kārlis Zirnis, Artūrs Āboliņš and Edgars Masaļskis. Masaļskis will also work with the U18 team.

The U18 national team's head coach, Oļegs Sorokins, will have Masaļskis alongside him, as well as Herberts Vasiļjevs and Marksims Širokovs.

In the U17 national team, head coach Ģirts Ankipāns will be supported by Ronalds Ozoliņš, Aleksandrs Ņiživijs and Kārlis Zakrevskis.

The information comes from an announcement by the federation, as cited in the source. As a result, coaching staffs are now set for every age group's national team for the coming season.