Optibet Hokeja Liga

Zemgale Jelgava win first title in Latvia

For the first time Zemgale Jelgava becomes champion of Latvian League sweeping in 4 games title holder HK Olimp Riga.
And for the first time the title goes to a city other than Riga or Liepaja

All games and stats from Optibet Hokeja Liga : https://bit.ly/3v6jlnM

(12 Apr 2022)

Kriss Grundmanis suspended for doping

Latvian defender Kriss Grundmanis was disqualified for 4 years for being tested positive for a doping test carried out last December after a match of the championship of Latvia. The 31-year-old defense player revealed a forbidden substance in the blood - meldonium.
Grundmanis received a "mandatory temporary ban" on sports as of January 20, 2020 which has now grown into a four-year period, until January 19, 2024.
During his career, Grundmanis has played in North America, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Kazakhstan. He has spent the last three seasons in JLSS Zemgale. He represented Latvia in seven junior world championships

(08 Jun 2020)

HK Kurbads confirms title in Latvia

HK Kurbads confirm the title in Latvijas Virslīga by sweeping underdog JLSS Zemgale 4-0 in the series, winning 1-0 game #4 with decisive goal by Gatis Gricinskis. Zemgale made sensation knocking out regular season winner HK Mogo in the semifinals, while Kurbads eliminated HK Liepaja. It's the second title in the history of the club, based outside of Riga.
HK Liepaja Edgars Homjakovs finished as top scorer with 39 points (10+29)

(17 Mar 2018)

Viking Tallinn not accepted in Latvian League

The request of Viking Tallinn to play in next Latvian League was rejected as reported by newspaper Delfi. Expelled by Estonian Meistriliga after the regular season for debts belonging to ceased club Viking Sport but that the club had promised to pay.
"We have been negotiating with representatives of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation for performing in the Latvian League - said Viking representative Anatoli Sizov - A few days ago we received a reply from Riga. Unfortunately, we won't play in the championship of Latvia because our request was denied"
Expelled from Estonia League and rejected by Latvia, Sizov admits the club still doesn't know where to play next season: "The preparation for the new season will start probably in late July Where we are going to play? We are looking for options."

(08 Jul 2015)

HS Rīga ’98 will play in Latvian Virsiliga

Latvian 1 Liga finalist HS Rīga '98 will play next season in Virsliga, lead by coaches Leonids Beresnevs and Andrejs Ignatovičs. The roster will be composed mostly by 1997 and 1998 born players

(29 Jun 2015)

Aigars Cipruss named new coach of Neman Grodno

Latvian Aigars Cipruss, 42, is the new coach of Belarusian champion Neman Grodno. Last season Cipruss headed Baltica Vilnius in MHL before the team was disbanded and Kurbads in Latvian League, winning the silver medal. He worked also as assistant coach at national team of Lithuania in last IHWC Division Ib

(02 Jun 2014)

Latvian League with 6 or 7 teams

Six teams confirmed their participation at the next Latvian League: HK Kurbads, Dinamo/Juniores (new name of HK Juniores) HK JLSS Zemgale, HS Riga/Prizma, HK Daugavpils and Ozolnieki/Monarch. HK Tukums' participation is still in doubt.

Last champion SMS Credit isn't in the starting grid after having waived the participation at next Continental Cup. Also Riga '97 and Liepaja Metalurgs won't play in next edition beginning September 7.

(14 Aug 2013)

Metalurgs Liepaja won’t play in 2013-14

Latvian Federation Sports Director Mārtiņš Pagodkins announces Liepaja Metalurgs will be inactive in next season, not competing in any category.
Last spring team's main sponsor, steel company Metalurgs, decided to cease the support for senior hockey team and to abandon Belarus Open League and MHL-B. However, the club at that time assured they were determined to grant a team in Latvian League. But plans for participation at the league did not materialize due to economic problems of Metalurgs

(13 Aug 2013)

HK Kurbads will play in Latvian Virsliga

HK Kurbads from Riga will enter for the first time in next Latvian Virsliga.
"HK Kurbads is in the Latvian hockey business from more than 16 years. Now is the right time to take this step for the club and become one of the Latvian championship participants. Teams will be composed of several well-known and experienced hockey players, but the place will definitely be given to new players. Our goal in the first season will win the championship" said Manager Edgars Svencis

Team will be coached by former Juniors Riga coach Aigars Razgals

(06 Aug 2013)

SMS Credit wins first ever title in Latvia

By beating 1-0 HK Juniors Riga in playoffs final game #3, SMS Credit Riga closes the series 3-0 and captures its first title in Latvian League. After two consecutive victories by Liepaja Metalurgs, title is back in the capital

(25 Mar 2013)