WJC: Divisions I-III

[SoundAndFury]

By the way, it's a bit weird that Rutkis decided to play for Team GB, considering that he also has a Latvian citizenship and he probably could've had a realistic shot at making the Latvian U-18 national team, which plays at the Elite tier.

I mean, playing at the WJC is probably the only way of getting spotted by some NHL scouts when you're playing in UK.

Well, Latvian U18 team is hardly his goal and he probably realizes, that his chances of making the Latvian senior team, not to mention the NHL (lol wut?), are extremely slim.

 

[Namejs]

Well, Latvian U18 team is hardly his goal and he probably realizes, that his chances of making the Latvian senior team, not to mention the NHL (lol wut?), are extremely slim.

Pretty sure everyone dreams about the NHL when they're 17 years old. He turned 17 last month, he's a kid.

And obviously it would improve his resume irrespective of any NHL ambitions.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Or maybe he picked GB because he wanted to? Since, you know, it's where he lives and was raised

He specifically went out of his way to get a UK citizenship just to play, when normally as an EU citizen it would be pretty pointless

 

[Namejs]

Or maybe he picked GB because he wanted to?

Has anyone suggested that someone forced him to play for GB against his will?

I'm just curious as to *why* he chose GB over Latvia.

I know for a fact that he was among the invitees to the Latvian U-18 camp in October.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Pretty sure everyone dreams about the NHL when they're 17 years old. He turned 17 last month, he's a kid.

And obviously it would improve his resume irrespective of any NHL ambitions.

Even if he dreams about it I'm pretty sure he or, at worst, his parents have enough brains to know it's not going to come true. However, if he has set his sights on so much more realistic goal of making good living from being an EIHL pro the fact that he plays for GB is so much better for his resume.

And frankly, I doubt a lot of 17 year-old kids playing hockey in GB (or Lithuania, or Romania, or Korea for that matter) are dreaming about the NHL.

Talking about the game, GB is having much more trouble against Romania than I would have expected.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Has anyone suggested that someone forced him to play for GB against his will?

I'm just curious as to *why* he chose GB over Latvia.

I know for a fact that he was among the invitees to the Latvian U-18 camp in October.

No, I'm saying maybe he chose GB over Latvia simply because he wanted to, nothing to do with making the NHL or any of that

Maybe because he has lived and played here for many years, and identifies more as British now since it's where he has grown up, and his friends play for GB, any number or combination of reasons

I have played against Toms and he's just as British as any other kid on this team in all but name

 

[Namejs]

Even if he dreams about it I'm pretty sure he or, at worst, his parents have enough brains to know it's not going to come true. However, if he has set his sights on so much more realistic goal of making good living from being an EIHL pro the fact that he plays for GB is so much better for his resume.

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows. It's all speculation anyway.

Another reason why I brought it up is that this topic is probably going to pop up a few more times in the future, considering that there was a wave of emigration from Latvia in 2004 and there's a bunch of Latvian families living in the UK, which means that there's also a bunch of Latvian kids playing in junior leagues (and increasingly - in NIHL/EPIHL) over there.

If my count is right, 3 kids from the UK were among the 40 or so invitees to the Latvian U-18 camp.

 

[kaiser matias]

Korea 1-5 Lithuania

A surprise? Nope.

Not a surprise at all. Lithuania should be challenging Britain for promotion, while Korea had just been promoted. This keeps Lithuania in the running, but it's chances are fading, if not over at this point.

That said, it has been a very impressive tournament for Korea. Considering they were recently promoted, for them to contend for a medal is a huge deal. Guess that's the result of them getting the Olympics and a spot for their hockey team, though most of these players are not likely to be on that team. While I don't see them beating Britain, they should have a chance against Romania, and are definitely staying at this level for another year.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Not a surprise at all. Lithuania should be challenging Britain for promotion, while Korea had just been promoted. This keeps Lithuania in the running, but it's chances are fading, if not over at this point.

That said, it has been a very impressive tournament for Korea. Considering they were recently promoted, for them to contend for a medal is a huge deal. Guess that's the result of them getting the Olympics and a spot for their hockey team, though most of these players are not likely to be on that team. While I don't see them beating Britain, they should have a chance against Romania, and are definitely staying at this level for another year.

With such a young team, for GB's sake, it shouldn't

And yeah, Korea are having a good tournament but the nature of those championships where strength of the small nation teams vary so much year-to-year doesn't allow me to be all that impressed. I mean Korean senior team would be expected to crush the NT of all those countries other than GB. With all those editions and GB's recent performance, maybe even GB.

 

[ElRossoMatt]

The fact that Romania managed to get three close calls in these games and even get a point out of the Lithuania game is VERY surprising to me.

The state of Romanian hockey is atrocious. There's only one rink in Bucharest where all the Bucharest teams (Steaua, Dinamo and Sportul) used to play their home games in the Romanian league, two streets away from where I live, but it will be demolished next year because no one bothered to spend a dime on the building facilities in the last 10 years.
There are no investments in youth clubs, and there are 3 or 4 clubs left in the whole country. Hockey has probably the worst situation from all the sports in this nation. Nobody gives a **** about hockey around here anymore. That is the sad truth.

 

[ozo]

By the way, it's a bit weird that Rutkis decided to play for Team GB, considering that he also has a Latvian citizenship and he probably could've had a realistic shot at making the Latvian U-18 national team, which plays at the Elite tier.

I mean, playing at the WJC is probably the only way of getting spotted by some NHL scouts when you're playing in UK.

I have to agree to everything already been said. Yeah, he could have made our U18 as a spare part, but what after that? Latvian passport won't feed you in long term, but British passport just might help him to make a living out of hockey.

 

[kaiser matias]

The fact that Romania managed to get three close calls in these games and even get a point out of the Lithuania game is VERY surprising to me.

The state of Romanian hockey is atrocious. There's only one rink in Bucharest where all the Bucharest teams (Steaua, Dinamo and Sportul) used to play their home games in the Romanian league, two streets away from where I live, but it will be demolished next year because no one bothered to spend a dime on the building facilities in the last 10 years.
There are no investments in youth clubs, and there are 3 or 4 clubs left in the whole country. Hockey has probably the worst situation from all the sports in this nation. Nobody gives a **** about hockey around here anymore. That is the sad truth.

I thought that a large portion of the Romanian team consisted of the Szekely people, ethnic Hungarians, from the north of the country (like around Miercurea Ciuc)? I'm no expert on Hungarian and Romanian national identity, but a cursory glance at the roster gives some names that seem very Hungarian: Attila, Zsolt, Istvan, etc. Not that it helps the situation at all, as I know Romanian hockey has fallen to pretty much nothing since the end of Communism, but I always thought that the majority of players never came from Bucharest to begin with.

 

[ElRossoMatt]

I thought that a large portion of the Romanian team consisted of the Szekely people, ethnic Hungarians, from the north of the country (like around Miercurea Ciuc)? I'm no expert on Hungarian and Romanian national identity, but a cursory glance at the roster gives some names that seem very Hungarian: Attila, Zsolt, Istvan, etc. Not that it helps the situation at all, as I know Romanian hockey has fallen to pretty much nothing since the end of Communism, but I always thought that the majority of players never came from Bucharest to begin with.

Yes, you are right in regards to post-communism hockey. After 1989, as is the case now, the majority of the players that played for the national team came from the Szekely area of the hungarian ethny from towns like Miercurea Ciuc or Gheorgheni, but the fact that there were a number of teams in southern Romania, in Bucharest and in Galati and a number of very good romanian-origin players which were usually captains of the national team, assured that there's an internal competition which obviously helped the national team be somewhat competitive and play in the 1st Division at the World Championship.

Before 1989 the national team was almost 100% composed of romanian-origin players and we were a force back in the day. We even beat USA at the Olympic Games back in the 70's but I guess that's what Romanian hockey is today, just a memory...

 

[kaiser matias]

Yes, you are right in regards to post-communism hockey. After 1989, as is the case now, the majority of the players that played for the national team came from the Szekely area of the hungarian ethny from towns like Miercurea Ciuc or Gheorgheni, but the fact that there were a number of teams in southern Romania, in Bucharest and in Galati and a number of very good romanian-origin players which were usually captains of the national team, assured that there's an internal competition which obviously helped the national team be somewhat competitive and play in the 1st Division at the World Championship.

Before 1989 the national team was almost 100% composed of romanian-origin players and we were a force back in the day. We even beat USA at the Olympic Games back in the 70's but I guess that's what Romanian hockey is today, just a memory...

Thanks for the information, like I said I'm not to familiar with Romanian hockey so its good to hear something about it.


And it seems like the Netherlands decided to show up finally. 4-0 over Estonia after two periods, equalling their goal total from the previous two games combined. Didn't think they would end up on the bottom and get relegated, and this is certainly making sure that doesn't happen.

 

[Emppu]

I'm expecting Spain to promote to 1B this year

 

[SoundAndFury]

I'm expecting Spain to promote to 1B this year

2A you mean. This generation indeed does seem quite strong, it will be interesting to see how you fare against Croats. My concern is, however, that Spain wouldn't be competitive at all in the D2A.

 

[IIHFjerseycollector]

I'm expecting Spain to promote to 1B this year

the mens team yes, but this is about juniors. You guys are 2B in your junior program.As another poster pointed out

 

[Namejs]

I have to agree to everything already been said. Yeah, he could have made our U18 as a spare part, but what after that? Latvian passport won't feed you in long term, but British passport just might help him to make a living out of hockey.

How does a British passport help him make a living out of hockey?

Also, he would be no 'spare part' in our U18 team.

 

[SoundAndFury]

How does a British passport help him make a living out of hockey?

Also, he would be no 'spare part' in our U18 team.

Seriously? There is a thingy called EIHL you know, the league he will most likely play his whole pro career, newsflash - they have an import limit.

NHL dreams, no spare part.. How good do you think the guy who has hard time playing in the EPIHL is?

 

[Siamese Dream]

Seriously? There is a thingy called EIHL you know, the league he will most likely play his whole pro career, newsflash - they have an import limit.

NHL dreams, no spare part.. How good do you think the guy who has hard time playing in the EPIHL is?

EIHL import criteria isn't based on nationality, being an import depends on which country holds your ITC

 

[3 Minute Minor]

EIHL import criteria isn't based on nationality, being an import depends on which country holds your ITC

In this case GB, regardless of his passport.

Glad he got that passport though, looks like he'll be a quality player for GB. Interested to see him at U18s.

 

[ozo]

EIHL import criteria isn't based on nationality, being an import depends on which country holds your ITC

I need a further explanation. I was thinking that the country you play in holds your ITC card, no? That would effectively mean that there are no foreigner limit at all, as the card travels with the player.

 

[Siamese Dream]

I need a further explanation. I was thinking that the country you play in holds your ITC card, no? That would effectively mean that there are no foreigner limit at all, as the card travels with the player.

It's the country from when you had your 18th birthday, as players under 18 don't require an ITC to move to play in another country. I think in the EIHL it also only applies if you're a dual national.

Rutkis will not require an ITC card to play in the EIHL, as he's already in the UK

 

[Namejs]

Seriously? There is a thingy called EIHL you know, the league he will most likely play his whole pro career, newsflash - they have an import limit.

NHL dreams, no spare part.. How good do you think the guy who has hard time playing in the EPIHL is?

You probably should reseach the topic at hand before coming up with such antagonistic answers. Also, you're wrong on every single point.

Have you actually looked at our U-18 lineup? Do you think they're all pro/CHL or J20 SuperElit players or something? We always have a few guys from the Latvian league, which isn't better than EPIHL. We have guys from the Swedish 3rd junior division. We have kids from the Latvian junior league.

There's very little depth because of how small our country/hockey pyramid is. The disparity between the top players and the depth players is huge. Rutkis would be a good depth player on a team that has to rely on 16 year-olds because of the limited Latvian talent pool.

Even Ralfs Circenis made the team and left a pretty decent impression in friendlies against Norway despite playing in the English U18 league/NIHL.

In no way have I implied that he'd be leading our team or that he's going to make the NHL.

 

[SoundAndFury]

<...>

In no way have I implied that he'd be leading our team or that he's going to make the NHL.

Well, maybe our definition of "spare part" is different but to me, 3-4th line player in Latvia's case is a spare part and that's what he would be.

Going back to D2A, the Netherlands just made a tournament so much more interesting by losing to Romania. That means every team other than GB can realistically be relegated, Netherlands are, however, on the thinest ice at the moment. It would be pretty silly to see them in D2B stomping the likes of Serbia and Australia.