Riga is the capital of Latvia and is home to 614,618 inhabitants (2021), which is a third of Latvia's population. Being significantly larger than other cities of Latvia, Riga is the country's primate city. It is also the largest city in the three Baltic states and is home to one tenth of the three Baltic states' combined population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea. Riga's territory covers 307.17 km2 (118.60 sq mi) and lies 1–10 m above sea level, on a flat and sandy plain.
Artūrs Irbe is a Latvian professional ice hockey coach and former goaltender. Born during the Soviet era, Irbe played for various Soviet league teams and the Soviet Union national team before moving to North America in 1991. Irbe played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes. In 2004 Irbe returned to Europe to play until he retired in 2007. He has served as a goaltending coach with Dinamo Riga, the Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabres, as well as internationally with the Latvia men's national ice hockey team.
Sandis Ozoliņš, commonly spelled Sandis Ozolinsh in North America, is a Latvian former professional ice hockey player and coach. During his career in North America, Ozoliņš was a seven-time NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup champion, and Norris Trophy finalist. He is also the all-time leader for goals, assists, points and games played by a Latvian in the NHL and holds several Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks franchise records. Ozoliņš also was the highest paid sportsman in Latvian history, before NBA basketball player Andris Biedriņš succeeded him in 2008. He became the head coach of Dinamo in 2017.
Helmuts Balderis-Sildedzis is a Latvian former ice hockey player. He played right wing.
Sergejs Žoltoks, who was known professionally in North America as Sergei Zholtok was a Latvian professional ice hockey centre who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators.
Ģirts Ankipāns is a retired Latvian ice hockey player and coach. Currently he serves as the head coach of Dinamo Riga in KHL.
The Latvian Hockey Higher League, also known as the Optibet Hockey League since 2017 due to sponsorship by Optibet, is the top tier league of ice hockey in Latvia currently comprising seven teams. Previously it was also known as the Latvian Open Hockey Championships and the Samsung Premier League from 2006 to 2008. The league was established in 1931.
Georgijs Pujacs is a Latvian ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Dresdner Eislöwen of the DEL2.
Mārtiņš Karsums is a Latvian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Karsums was selected in the second round, 64th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Leonīds Tambijevs is a former professional ice hockey left winger, currently serving as the head coach of Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL).
Kaspars Astašenko was a Latvian professional ice hockey player. Astašenko was born in Riga, Latvia. Astašenko was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, 127th overall. Astašenko played parts of two seasons in the National Hockey League with the Lightning.
Karlis Arvīds Jurgens was a Latvian footballer, ice hockey, basketball and bandy player who play played for Latvia national teams in all four of these sports. He was one of the best all-around Latvian sportsmen.
Kristaps Sotnieks is a Latvian professional ice-hockey defenseman. He currently plays for Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Normunds Sējējs is a former Latvian ice hockey defenceman and coach. Currently Sējējs is the general manager of Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Oskars Cibuļskis is a Latvian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing under contract with Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
HK Rīga is an ice hockey club, based in Riga, Latvia. It was founded in 2009 to serve as the farm club of Kontinental Hockey League club Dinamo Riga. The club played the 2009–10 season in both the Latvian Hockey Higher League and the Belarusian Extraleague, but joined the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL), the junior league of the Kontinental Hockey League, for the 2010–11 season.
The Juniors Riga were an ice hockey team in Riga, Latvia. They played in the Latvian Hockey Higher League and the Eastern European Hockey League.
HK Prizma Riga/IHS is an ice hockey team in Riga, Latvia, that plays in the Optibet Hockey League, the top tier of the sport in Latvia. The team is based in Riga and play their home games at the Volvo Sports Centre. HK Prizma previously played in both the Eastern European Hockey League and the MHL B.
Ice hockey in Latvia is the most popular sport in the country. The first hockey match on Latvian soil took place on February 15, 1909, with two teams facing Union and Strēlnieka Dārzs. However, it took another 20 years to supplant the popular sport of Bandy.
HS Rīga are a Latvian ice hockey team that plays in the Optibet Hockey League, the top tier of the sport in Latvia. The team is based in Riga and play their home games at the Hokeja halle Riga.
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