Czechia, Latvia, France Reveal Men’s Olympic Hockey Rosters
Three European nations have unveiled their rosters for the upcoming men’s Olympic hockey tournament. Czechia, Latvia, and France announced their teams on social media on the morning of February 7, 2023. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) shared the details, highlighting the competitive lineups.
Czechia’s Olympic Hockey Roster
Czechia’s team is prominently composed of NHL talent. This roster features several star players, including:
- David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins)
- Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche)
- Tomas Hertl (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Radko Gudas (Anaheim Ducks) – Captain
- Filip Hronek (Vancouver Canucks)
- Goaltenders: Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks), Dan Vladar (Philadelphia Flyers), Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth)
The Czech squad is set to open the tournament against Canada on February 12, 2023, as part of Group A. They share this group with other strong teams, including Switzerland.
Latvia’s Olympic Hockey Roster
While Latvia’s roster includes fewer NHL players compared to Czechia, it still boasts some notable talent:
- Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets) – Goaltender
- Arturs Silovs (Pittsburgh Penguins) – Goaltender
- Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks)
- Zemgus Girgensons (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Latvia will compete in Group C, starting their campaign against the United States on February 12, 2023. This group also includes Germany and Denmark.
France’s Olympic Hockey Roster
France, with only one current NHL player, Alexandre Texier of the Montreal Canadiens, will face tough competition. Texier leads the French team alongside:
- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – veteran with 700 NHL games and currently playing in Switzerland
France will complete the group stage by playing against Canada on February 15, 2023.
Full Rosters Overview
| Nation | Key Players |
|---|---|
| Czechia | David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, Tomas Hertl, Radko Gudas |
| Latvia | Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Teddy Blueger, Zemgus Girgensons |
| France | Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare |
As the Olympic hockey tournament approaches, viewers can track the rosters and follow each team’s journey through El-Balad. Excitement builds as fans anticipate strong performances from these talented squads in February.
