Is the Latvian program turning the corner? This can't be just because the tournament is missing players and being played in the summer, because they're missing players too. Of course, they had the benefit of bringing the majority of the team that got them in position to take the spot. You can be smart and well-coached to the end of time, you make strides when you have skill, and they seem to have way more skill than any previous Latvian team I've seen
Nothing new in Latvian development programs, as far as I know.
Whether or not this is the most skilled Latvian team is up to debate, since in the first half of the 2010's we had teams with Merzlikins, Blugers, Girgensons, who are all NHLers now, and were drafted really high by Latvian standarts. This years team lacks those obvious "next ones".
But this team definitely:
1) Is one of the deepest, if not the deepest ever;
2) Has the best coach ever in Abols, who was the hc of several KHL teams.
Too bad this years tournament came after the draft. Some guys would have certainly been noticed. One of the best tournaments in Latvian hockey history, adult ones included. Glad for our guys.