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**The__Y-man__100** · 01-22-2021, 08:05 PM

Sveiki SHL! (which means “hello” in Latvian) The IIHF has returned! The season 57 tournament is coming up and for Latvia as we continue with our newer look, we gear up for what should be a more exciting tournament. I am proud to say this is who will be suiting up for Latvia in the S57 IIHF tournament!

Uzbrucēji

Calogero Crudelli
Krišs Dārziņš
Zelma Zuntnere
Bale
Kian Hamilton Jr.
Boris "The Beast" Poroshenko
Asclepius Perseus Flitterwind
Mats Marner
Mack Daddy
Jst Maro
(Clean) Andrei Kostitsyn
Logan Wong

Aizsargi

D- Kaspars Claude
D- Leonids Balzams
D- Nat Emerson
D- Chris Goodname
D- Fleetway Super Sonic
D- Michael Scotch

Vārtsargs

G- Thor Odinson
G- Chimkin Tendy

With only 4 players on the entire team not having an unbanked build, it is fair to say the rebuild of this nation is almost done. While there is still a little more growing left for the squad, this will be the first time in a long time that now there’s a chance for this nation. Signs even started to show last year when Latvia was able to defeat the powerhouse USA team in one of the games belonging to the round robin stage. Making the medal rounds is not guaranteed this year, but the team has not had this much potential in quite some time. Here are some headlines for the upcoming tournament!

Call to the Crease!

Word got out this year that @feeler Thor Odinson has earned the trust of Latvia’s management and after playing under Hronch, it was now time for him to take the #1 goalie spot. While the expansion team known as the Seattle Argonauts had a tough season this year and being unable to grab the last playoff spot, Thor played with heart and did his best to carry his team to the postseason. The S54 goaltender has just cracked the 700 tpe mark as the season ends and posted a .916 save percentage along with 3 shutouts. One could say Seattle’s team defense was lacking as Thor faced the 4th most shots in the league and he had the least amount of games played out of the goalies in this category. The IIHF is yet another stage that Thor can show the SHL what he is really made of and maybe he could be the missing part that can lead Latvia to the medal rounds.

International Rookies!

With any team, it’s always good to have a mix of primed players and new blood to keep the growth of a franchise. For the S57 tournament Latvia is excited to announce 3 players will be making their international debut!
The first player is @Ragnar Chimkin Tendy and he will be Thor’s partner in crime this season when it comes to guarding our own goal. Tendy was a huge reason the Armada were able to take the 1st spot in their conference and 2nd in the entire league. Not only did he have the best goals against average in the SMJHL (2.02) while playing 53 games and lead the SMJHL in shutouts, but he was also 0.003 off of having the best save percentage in the SMJHL amongst the starting goaltenders. While it is only the juniors, Latvia decided it was the right time to continue Chimkin's development by allowing him to get on the international level.

The second IIHF rookie is new transfer @Sabremike Michael Scotch! Anaheim had a decent season as they finished with a winning record. The rookie defenseman finished with the second most points among Anaheim's defenseman with 6 goals and 20 assists, finished with the 4th most hits on the team and had the third best +/- rating out of their defensive group. Just like Anaheim, Scotch still had a decent year. Latvia thought it would benefit Scotch’s development as a player if he joined the roster as he would have not seen international ice for quite some time if he stayed in the USA and clearly Michael agreed. With little pressure on his shoulders, the nation is excited for the rookie to continue his development as a player and before you know it he will be the one leading Latvia’s blueline into the battlefield.

The third IIHF rookie is a Knight by the name of @Wongy Logan Wong! Kelowna finished second in the west and Wong provided 33 points 66 games and was top 3 in take aways for the team. Being an ideal two way player is what helped propel Kelowna in the standings and Latvia believes his two way game is something missing from the roster and as he continues to progress in his career, so will his role on this team.

Three way tie for the first line?

For the S57 tournament, analysts will be keeping an eye on forwards @CaptainCrazy Asclepius Perseus Flitterwind, @leafsftw1967 Mats Marner and @lilstifler Krišs Dārziņš. Three fantastic younger players, but only one of them will be able to claim a spot next to Boris and @jason97 Calogero Crudelli on the top line. Asclepius could enter the tournament with 925ish TPE and after finishing with the second most goals in the SMJHL this year (35), he has shown he is ready to take his game to the next level. Candidate Mats Marner (who would enter the IIHF around 1050tpe) was able to wow the analysts in his rookie year as he finished with 33 points, +10 and cracked 15 goals in the big leagues. Looking at Krišs, he was the third best winger for Seattle this year with 29 points, 2nd best plus minus rating on the team and 102 hits. Considering Seattle is still in a rebuilding phase, one could only imagine what 1000tpe player Kriss could do playing with some of Latvia’s best. We might see more then one player given the spot throughout the tournament, it is expected they will be rotating based on performance.

Rounding out the Big 3 on D!

For years, @Bruins10 Kaspar Claude and @Thelastheraclid Nat Emerson have been unstoppable forces for Latvia. Arguably one of the best defensive pairings to ever play for this nation. However if this team is going to succeed, it is time for one of the S55 defenders to step their game up to the next level. Will it be wolfpack rookie @Cyanide Balzams? Or maybe it’s Pride rookie @Taxman100 Fleetway that will respond to the call. We also cannot forget about the Knight’s leader @kikish18 Chris Goodname. All three players were a part of the great draft class of S55 and while they will eventually all be the defensive leaders together, this season will show who is going to be the first one ready to take their game to the next level!

Good luck to all the nations in the IIHF and here’s hoping Canada doesn’t win it again!