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.
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.
Agris Saviels is a Latvian former professional ice hockey defenseman. He last played for HK Mogo of the Latvian Hockey League (LAT).
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.
The 2008–09 Dinamo Riga season was the first season of the franchise in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This was also inaugural season for the league. Dinamo Riga played most of their home games in Arena Riga, however some matches were held in other locations. Dinamo Riga were playing in Kharlamov division along with Avangard Omsk, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, HC Lada Togliatti, HC Sibir Novosibirsk and Amur Khabarovsk.
Paul Szczechura is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Kristaps Sotnieks is a Latvian professional ice-hockey defenseman. He currently plays for Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Dinamo Riga is a professional ice hockey team based in Riga, Latvia. It is a member of the Kontinental Hockey League. Dinamo Riga is one of the five KHL teams that are not located in the Russian Federation. The club has an affiliated club HK Rīga, which plays in the MHL.
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.
Juraj Mikúš is a Slovak professional ice hockey centre currently playing for HKM Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga.
Oskars Cibuļskis is a Latvian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing under contract with Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Gunārs Skvorcovs is a Latvian ice hockey right winger, currently playing for Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Miks Lipsbergs is a Latvian ice hockey forward who is currently playing for Kiruna IF (Sweden) having last played for HK Mogo of the Latvian Hockey Higher League.
Miks Indrašis is a Latvian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Andris Siksnis is a Latvian ice hockey player currently playing for the HK Rīga of the MHL.
Kārlis Ozoliņš is a Latvian ice hockey player. He is currently a free agent.
Rustams Begovs is a Latvian ice hockey player currently playing for the HK Rīga of the MHL.
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.
Latvia 