Typical thinking influenced by Russian media. This is completely biased and not true - Both Latvian Latvians and Latvian Russians cherish the Latvian team without distinguishing between the nationality of the players. Sergey Zholtok, who was a Latvian Russian, is still one of the most loved players in Latvia - a school has been named after him and every year players and fans go to put flowers on his grave. Latvian main coach is Russian as well - Oleg Znarok - who is well respected and is the one responsible for choosing players to play on the national team. Although most of the younger players are in fact Latvian Latvians (Daugavins, Karsums, Galvins, Bartulis, Redlihs' brothers, Darzins), this is only because there are no younger Latvian Russians playing at a sufficient level to crack the national team (except defender Alex Jerofejev, who is not even the best candidate!). Most of the 30 year olds are however Russian Latvians (Semjonov, Tambijev, goalie Sergey Naumovs, Alex Nizivijs (one of the leaders), Pantelejev, etc.). It is all about player's will to play for the national team and profficiency and nothing about nationality.
Well I don't know who's stereotyping here, but something is telling me that it is you, 'cause I was in Riga, went to a party where some national team (Latvija) players were present, and also managed to talk to some Russian Latvijan parents who's kids play hockey in Latvija, and that's why I wrote that up, not because I read Russian papers. As a matter of fact, I have never seen anything like that in Russian papers.
And the fact that all the young players are true Latvijans only proves it. The ratio didn't change much, it's the politics that have.
Now the 30 year olds are Russians, 'cause like I said in my earlier posts, they were brought up by the Soviet junior systems and Russian coaches who made Latvijan hockey (Tihonov, Jurzinov), during the times where they were picked due to their talent, unlike it is now. I hope I don't have to remind you who promoted Dynamo (Riga) from 2nd division beer/vodka drinking team, into premiere League during the Soviet times, and tought it to be competetive with the big Moscow clubs.
Now inspite of all that, I usually support Latvijan hockey team, just 'cause we were one country back in the day, unless they play Russia, Belorus' or Ukraine, unlike your counntrymates who support anyone playing against us.
You can disagree, but I think my opinion has some weight to it, like it or not.