Latvia Women's National Under-18 Ice Hockey Team
The Latvian women's national under-18 ice hockey team represents Latvia in international youth competitions. Managed by the Latvijas Hokeja Federācija (Latvian Ice Hockey Federation), a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the team serves as a critical development pipeline for the nation's female athletes in the sport.
Team History and International Debut
While the team was originally slated to make its international debut at the 2021 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship, the event was cancelled. Consequently, Latvia officially entered the international arena in 2022. In their debut tournament, the team secured a fifth-place finish in Division II.
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The program saw rapid improvement shortly after its inception. In 2023, the team achieved its best result to date, finishing second in Division II – Group A. This performance placed them 22nd overall in the world rankings, narrowly missing out on promotion to Division I by a single position.
Current Leadership and Key Players
The team is currently led by head coach Miks Golubovičs, supported by assistant coaches Laila Dekmeijere-Trigubova and Vladislavs Koniševs. On the ice, the squad is captained by Madara Saulīte.
Individual standout performances have been led by Linda Rulle, who holds the record for both the most points (23) and the highest number of goals (18) for the national under-18 side.
Key Facts
- Governing Body: Latvijas Hokeja Federācija
- IIHF Code: LAT
- Best Result: 2nd place in Division II Group A (2023)
- International Record: 12 wins, 8 losses, and 0 ties
- Biggest Victory: 14–2 against Chinese Taipei (January 21, 2025)
- Top Scorer: Linda Rulle (18 goals, 23 points)
Performance Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| IIHF World Women's U18 Appearances | 4 (since 2022) |
| First International Match | Netherlands 5–2 Latvia (June 27, 2022) |
| Biggest Defeat | Kazakhstan 9–1 Latvia (January 20, 2026) |
| Overall Record (W–L–T) | 12–8–0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages the Latvian women's U18 ice hockey team?
The team is controlled by the Latvijas Hokeja Federācija, which is the national governing body and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
When did the team first play internationally?
The team made its official debut on June 27, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey, where they played against the Netherlands, losing 5–2.
What is the team's best achievement in the IIHF World Women's U18 Championships?
Their best result was in 2023, when they finished 2nd in Division II Group A, ranking 22nd overall.
Who is the most successful player in terms of scoring?
Linda Rulle is the top scorer and point leader, having recorded 18 goals and 23 total points.
What is the team's biggest win to date?
The team's largest victory occurred on January 21, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, where they defeated Chinese Taipei with a score of 14–2.