The 2016-17 hockey season at whole hasn't ended, but this far it's been very, very eventful. In the October 7, 2016 at the newly built complex next to the Volvo ledus halle, Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) held congress where LHF president Kirovs Lipmans who held his president position in 1994-95, 1998-16 was deposed from his chair. This revolution was like a thunder from a clear skies and there were a few people and hockey fans who didn't like it, everyone wanted long awaited changes.
     The new LHF president has become former Latvian prime minister, politician and businessman  Aigars Kalvītis, who is very controversial person Latvia, with a new president came new chairman's and other working staff.

     After the three year struggle to earn a promotion to play in U20 Elite WJC division Latvian men's national under 20 ice hockey team (Latvian U20) has been relegated again in 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships (U20 WJC). The biggest upset isn't in the fact that Latvian U20 has been relegated to play in a Div. I next season but the in fact that Latvian hockey fans hoped for something better. Should we need to blame bad luck or this was Latvian U20 best?

     Today (Sunday, Aug. 28) I took the opportunity to meet four Latvia Men's National ice hockey team (Latvia NT) players - Zemgus Girgensons, Kristers Gudlevsksis, Arturs Kulda and Ralfs Freibergs in the Hockey Day event. Hockey fans was able to meet players, take pictures with them, get autographs and to record best wishes for team in the upcoming Olympic Qualification round in Riga, Latvia.

    Year 1931 was very important for ice hockey in Latvia. In February 22, 1931 Latvia became the 19th member of International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the first official ice hockey championship was played in 1931. The first ever played Latvian hockey league final game was in March 1, 1931 where Unions Rīga played against Liepāja ASK. Unions Rīga won Liepāja ASK with 1:0 in overtime  and team Unions Rīga was crowned as first Latvian ice hockey champions. It has been 85 years since Latvia became IIHF member and first Latvian hockey champion was crowned, to celebrate these important events the 2015-16 hockey season in Latvia was announced as 80th anniversary hockey season.[1]

     The last build indoor ice rink in Latvia was opened on the 30th May, 2008 in a small village of Ozolnieki. Afterwards the economical crisis struck hard and there wasn't any new finished projects until now. After eight year break there are two ice rinks under construction and the third ice rink is waiting for a start of construction.