Team Latvia: Pure international experience
The Latvian squad includes numerous stars who have a wealth of experience from top leagues and major international tournaments. Among others, national coach Harijs Vitolins has five current NHL professionals at his disposal.
Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Arturs Silovs (Pittsburgh Penguins) are two NHL goalies in the squad, with Kristers Gudlevskis from the Pinguins Bremerhaven in the PENNY DEL completing the trio. The 33-year-old was recently named “Goalie of the Year” in Germany twice. The top defenseman is Uvis Balinskis, who won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2025 and is a regular member of the Sunshine State team.
The best-known name in the offense is probably Kaspars Daugavins, who led his country as flag bearer at the opening ceremony and is participating for the fourth time overall. The former NHL player is currently under contract with the Kassel Huskies in Germany's DEL2 league. Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks) and Zemgus Girgensons (Tampa Bay Lightning) are joining the team directly from the NHL.
Team USA: Gold medal is the goal
US head coach Mike Sullivan has a top-class squad at his disposal. Without exception, all players are active in the NHL, and the team brings a tremendous amount of skill, physicality, and experience to the table. In short, with this spectacular mix, the USA is one of the absolute title contenders alongside Team Canada.
Either Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) or Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) are likely to be in goal, with Hellebuyck having already won the Vezina Trophy three times as the NHL's best goalkeeper. The third member of the trio is Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins).
The defense also reads like an all-star selection. Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild) is one of the strongest defenders around, and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) is also outstanding offensively. On the other hand, Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes) and Noah Hanifin of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, for example, are considered excellent two-way defenders.
In attack, the two world-class goal scorers Auston Matthews (captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, three-time NHL top scorer) and Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) are among the biggest names even in the world's strongest league, as are the brothers Matthew Tkachuk (two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers) and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators). Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) has also won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as has playmaker Jack Eichel (Las Vegas Golden Knights).
DEB games in the preliminary round (Group C):
February 12, 2026 | 9:10 p.m. | Germany vs. Denmark (live at Henry)
February 14, 2026 | 12:10 p.m. | Germany – Latvia (live at Henry)
February 15, 2026 | 9:10 p.m. | USA – Germany
