Kurbads withdraws from the Latvian League

"It's time to take a breath, understand the priorities and look forward to the new revolution. We have climbed a high mountain in seven seasons and reached the top twice. It's time to put all the energy into the new generation." With these words the owner of HK Kurbads Andis Pikāns announced the club won't partecipate in the next Latvian Hockey League after seven seasons. Estabilished as a beer league club, owned by the transport company of the same name, Kurbads has been playing in the Latvian hockey league since 2014 and in each of the previous six seasons was able to reach the finals, becoming the champion in 2017 and 2018. Also this season, Kurbads finished at the top of the standing in the regular season, but, after the controversial decision of the Latvian Federation Board to award Olimp Riga with a technical victory over HS Riga, remaining in the second place even if the title of champion will not be awarded. In an interview with portal Sportacentrs.com Pikāns mentioned two main reasons for the club's withdrawal from the league: different visions of Latvian hockey with LHF and the financial situation in the Kurbads company, affected by the coronavirus outbreak. "The global situation is also such that a number of car factories are currently closing down, which is undermining the entire transport chain. It is clear that there will be a recession, and we need to prepare for it, and the first thing we need to take care of is our workers so that they can be saved and supported.” said Pikāns. Same owner doesn't close all doors for a possible return of the club in the League: "Definitely such a possibility exists. Let's wait for things to get better ... we will definitely follow what is happening in Latvian hockey, wait for the local hockey platform to be arranged, and then we will be happy to return. ”

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