I wouldn't be so sure. If we are talking about WJC in December the Slovakian 2006 birth year is extremely weak and the 2007 birth year has some really good players, but overall the birth year is slightly overhyped. I wouldn't say we'll be the favourite, there's no top prospect, a couple of players have a chance to get close to that top prospect level, but they're late 2007 players like Tomik and Nemec and you can't expect such young players to be very dominant at WJC level. Even though they are good, they are not even close to the level of Slafkovsky or Dvorsky. Namejs' contributions about the fact that we are on a similar level in the youth categories are not at all surprising and that the younger upcoming Latvian generation can be really better than the Slovak one. The nearest Slovak birth year, which looks above average, is 2010.
U18: Latvia U18s 2025 Roster Talk
- Thread starter Namejs
- Start date
kudla
Registered User
Eye of Ra
Grandmaster General of the International boards
Because Latvia has improved in recent years and from what I see it seems that some Slovaks are feeling pressured. haha
Czechboy
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They're going to have exhibition games in the US next week, so likely only after those since the number of NA-based players is pretty vast.
But there's been limited public announcements regarding any of this, so a lot of it is guesswork.
I have no idea why they had such a huge camp. And once you look at the actual games and the jersey numbers, you realize there were invitees not even included in the extended roster. More than 2 full teams.
Murnieks Sioux City up 1-0 with a 7-0 win
Berzkalns Muskegon tied 1-1
Flugins Flint Firebirds are already out
Murnieks is the backbone of this team and with him already having been the 1C in U20 WJC, it's obvious he would seriously elevate us in the U18s.
The goal should be to beat Norway without him and leave a roster spot open since USHL semi-finals end in April 25 the latest, making him potentially available for the Slovakia game.
Berzkalns Muskegon tied 1-1
Flugins Flint Firebirds are already out
Murnieks is the backbone of this team and with him already having been the 1C in U20 WJC, it's obvious he would seriously elevate us in the U18s.
The goal should be to beat Norway without him and leave a roster spot open since USHL semi-finals end in April 25 the latest, making him potentially available for the Slovakia game.
Berzkalns and Murnieks both made the USHL semi-finals, which means we will miss our top 2 centermen pretty much.
This definitely turns my expectations down a notch. The Norway game is going to be critical. And seeing how they just beat the US, this can lead to some very interesting results in the group stage.
Who knows which team ends up in the relegation round. The field is wide open.
This definitely turns my expectations down a notch. The Norway game is going to be critical. And seeing how they just beat the US, this can lead to some very interesting results in the group stage.
Who knows which team ends up in the relegation round. The field is wide open.
kudla
Registered User
3 Slovak players from USHL are in the nomination and word has it they will join the team even despite 2 of them just making semi-finals... So I think you or I are wrong
Eye of Ra
Grandmaster General of the International boards
Namejs is never wrong. Never.
I'm not really making a point here to be right or wrong. Just making an educated guess.
Also, obviously, I can be wrong if a source that I refer to, e.g. a GM or a head coach, is wrong or the situation has changed in between without any public statements made.
The LHF has not made a single press release or a news article on the U18s for about 10 days now. They should be in the US by now with an exhibition game in 2 days. We shall see.
So I would be thrilled to be 'wrong'.
Slovakprospects
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Berzkalns hasn't played a single game for the Muskegon in the playoffs, he wasn't even on the roster, while radivojevic played all three games.. it's very strange because radivojevic will join the Slovak national team and berzkalns won't join the Latvian one? very strange
Slovakprospects
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Mišiak (Waterloo - USHL) - his club is still in the playoffs
Radivojevič (Muskegon - USHL) - his club is still in the playoffs
However, despite this, both have already left their teams and are even training in the USA, while superstars Berzkalns, who did not play a single match in the PO and has 8 points for the season
, and Murnieks would not be released? At least don't be silly, please, you are lying to people again ... the fact that your Latvian association is asleep and has not released a single message is not our problem ...
Radivojevič (Muskegon - USHL) - his club is still in the playoffs
However, despite this, both have already left their teams and are even training in the USA, while superstars Berzkalns, who did not play a single match in the PO and has 8 points for the season
, and Murnieks would not be released? At least don't be silly, please, you are lying to people again ... the fact that your Latvian association is asleep and has not released a single message is not our problem ...That's a good catch. I'm hoping he will join and that he's not injured, both him and Murnieks are on the extended roster.
Again, absolutely no word on any of it from the coaching staff, federation or media.
Also, please bring your slovakian drama the f*** outta here. You sound like my russian ex and she was only good for one thing - you both might share that skill, too.
Slovakprospects
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- Dec 15, 2019
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The first exhibition game in the US vs. Sweden tonight. I think it's going to be streamed.
Still no word on the roster. It's honestly starting to feel like a bit of hide and seek at this point.
Sioux City lost their first semi-final game. If they lose 2 straight, Murnieks should be available even for the Norway game.
Still no word on the roster. It's honestly starting to feel like a bit of hide and seek at this point.
Sioux City lost their first semi-final game. If they lose 2 straight, Murnieks should be available even for the Norway game.
Slovakprospects
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So Berzkalns has been released, while Murnieks has not.
The lines are interesting and nothing like anything we've seen before. Also, they don't really make sense in terms of their order.
I have no idea why Kufterins is starting again.
Slovakprospects
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as i say ... Almost everyone made it to the final nomination and the crazy namejs will still be talking about the B
Slovakprospects
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In contrast, 6 Slovaks made it to the World Cup from the aforementioned match, the third goalkeeper and players in the 4th formation plus substitutes
6-1 loss to Sweden.
First, about the good things.
The team in general has good speed, size and discipline and they were able to keep up with the Swedes in terms of pace, which is a very good sign.
Flugins had a nice goal and the Flugins - Rutkis - Serkins line was the only one capable of getting sustained O zone time. I would probably make changes to all lines for the Czechia game except for that one.
The bad things.
The PP was terrible.
Lower-pairing Ds are going to be a headache.
3 of the forward lines had no chemistry to speak of and played disjointed and extremely frustrating hockey. Multiple 2on1s and 3on2s ended up without a single SOG and in the end there even a 1on1. Drop passes not being read, dekeing when you should be passing, etc. A lot of wasted opportunities.
Also, Kufterins does not transpire confidence at all. He literally wasn't in my goalie top 3 and he's still not there after tonight.
Sioux City, drop out of the play offs a little faster, thank you.
First, about the good things.
The team in general has good speed, size and discipline and they were able to keep up with the Swedes in terms of pace, which is a very good sign.
Flugins had a nice goal and the Flugins - Rutkis - Serkins line was the only one capable of getting sustained O zone time. I would probably make changes to all lines for the Czechia game except for that one.
The bad things.
The PP was terrible.
Lower-pairing Ds are going to be a headache.
3 of the forward lines had no chemistry to speak of and played disjointed and extremely frustrating hockey. Multiple 2on1s and 3on2s ended up without a single SOG and in the end there even a 1on1. Drop passes not being read, dekeing when you should be passing, etc. A lot of wasted opportunities.
Also, Kufterins does not transpire confidence at all. He literally wasn't in my goalie top 3 and he's still not there after tonight.
Sioux City, drop out of the play offs a little faster, thank you.
Hockeyfrilla
Swe prospect fanatic
Slovakprospects
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