Latvia Hockey: Schedule & Austria Roster for World Championship Prep

The Latvian national ice hockey team has begun its preparation camp for the upcoming IIHF World Championship, with a series of exhibition matches scheduled before the tournament opens in Switzerland. The team will face Austria in its first preparatory games on home ice, with the Austrian federation already announcing its roster for the matchup.

According to reports from Latvian media outlets, the national team commenced training on March 30, 2026, with an initial group consisting of two goalkeepers, seven defensemen, and ten forwards taking to the ice. Additional players are expected to join the squad as their respective seasons in European and North American leagues conclude.

Preparation Match Schedule

Latvia’s coaching staff, led by head coach Harijs Vitolins, has arranged a comprehensive preparation schedule featuring six exhibition games against various European opponents. The first test comes against Austria on April 8 and 9, 2026, with both matches played on Latvian home ice.

Following the Austria series, the Latvian national team will travel to Lahti, Finland, for matches against Denmark and Finland on April 22 and 23, 2026. The team will then face Slovakia in away games on May 2 and 3, 2026, before concluding the preparatory stage with home matches against Norway on May 6 and 7, 2026.

Austria Announces Roster for Latvia Series

The Austrian men’s national ice hockey team has published its roster for the exhibition matches against Latvia. The squad includes players from various European leagues, with representation from Austrian domestic clubs, Swedish teams, Swiss leagues, and NCAA programs.

Austria’s goaltending contingent features Benedikt Ošgans from Växjö Lakers in Sweden, Florian Forauer from Klagenfurter KAC in Austria, and Sebastian Wraneschitz from Vienna Capitals in Austria. The defensive group includes Dominik Hackl from Vienna Capitals, Thomas Klasek from RPI Engineers in the NCAA, Gerd Kragl, Patrik Zirlinger, and Niklas Wirschl from Linz Black Wings in Austria, Ramon Schnetzer from Feldkirch Pioneers Vorarlberg in Austria, Philipp Wimmer from Salzburg Red Bull in Austria, and Bernd Wolf from Kloten in Switzerland.

On the forward line, Austria has called up Luka Erne from Feldkirch Pioneers Vorarlberg, Felix Koschek, Benjamin Lanzinger, and Leon Wallner from Vienna Capitals, Henrik Neubauer and Jonathan Ošgans from Linz Black Wings, Benjamin Nissner and Lukas Thaler from Salzburg Red Bull, Maximilian Rebernig, Paul Zintschnig, and Elias Valenta from Villach SV in Austria, Jan Sherzer from RPI Engineers in the NCAA, and David Waschnig from Klagenfurter KAC.

World Championship Details

The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will run from May 15 to 31, 2026, with games hosted in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. This represents a return to Swiss hosting duties for the premier international ice hockey tournament.

Latvia’s preparation schedule provides the team with competitive matches against various European opponents before the championship begins. The home games against Austria and Norway offer opportunities for local fans to see the national team in action before the squad departs for Switzerland.

Recent Tournament History

According to Elite Prospects data, Latvia competed in the 2025 World Championship, where the team finished with a record that did not advance them to the playoff rounds. Historical records show Latvia has achieved varying results in previous tournaments, including a bronze medal finish in 2023 and quarterfinal appearances in 2018 and 2009.

The exhibition matches against Austria carry additional significance given the teams’ recent tournament encounters. In the 2025 World Championship, Latvia and Austria faced each other, with game records showing matchups between the two nations during that tournament cycle.

Head coach Harijs Vitolins will use the six-game preparation schedule to evaluate player combinations and finalize the roster that will represent Latvia at the World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg. The training camp that began on March 30, 2026, allows sufficient time for player integration before the tournament opens on May 15.