The largest youth hockey tournament in Europe "Riga Hockey Cup" has started

Europe's largest hockey tournament for children and youth "Riga Hockey Cup" gathers 207 teams from 19 countries in Riga this year, including almost all hockey schools in Latvia and several youth teams known in Europe, such as Swedish "AIK" and "Top Speed Hockey". Three age group teams will have particularly high competition in the tournament - U11 with 30 teams, U13 with 32 teams and U15 with 30 teams.

U12AAA and U12AA teams will compete from March 31 to April 2, U13 and U15 teams from April 7 to April 10, U14AAA and U14AA teams from April 14 to April 16, U9 from April 21 to April 23, U11 and U16 teams and finally from April 28 to April 30 U10 and U18 teams. The games will take place in Inbox ice hall, Volvo ice hall, Mārupe ice hall, Mogo ice hall, Akropole, Ozolnieki ice hall, Jelgava ice hall and Ogre ice hall.

Tournament co-founder and supervisor Angelo Bomius: "Welcome to Riga Hockey Cup 2023. We have had some hard years with Covid and the war. Last year the tournament came back with 183 teams, but we missed many frequent visitors. This year we host 207 teams. Finnish teams are back, for the first time ever we will have a team from Slovenia and Kazachstan. We are proud to have that many teams and looking forward to 5 weeks of great hockey, making new friends and contacts and most of all an awesome time in Riga where you can make (hockey) memories for a life time."

This year's tournament has grown not only with the number of teams and member states, but also with the sponsors. Already existing ones, such as "AirBaltic" and "EHR", this year were joined by the large-scale sports goods manufacturer "Bauer" and the sports goods store "Hokeja Pasaule" known to every hockey player in Latvia.

Jānis Jansons, general manager of the Riga Hockey Cup, comments on the cooperation: "As the biggest children's and youth hockey tournament in Europe, we want to aim even higher, become even bigger and stronger. That's what we chose for our new slogan - "We Rule The Game"! Therefore, we strive for cooperation with partners who have proven themselves with the quality, experience and success of their services or products. We are pleased to be able to work with partners with whom we share similar values. Similar to Bauer, we also look for opportunities and strive to develop youth hockey and offer youth the opportunity to play, develop and start a path in Riga, so that it further leads to the NHL. Thank you to all 207 teams, coaches, team managers and parents for the excellent responsiveness and coming to Riga! May the tournament be full of impressions and success! May the best win!"

"Hokeja Pasaule" is proud to support the largest children's and youth hockey tournament in Europe, in cooperation with the most significant hockey equipment manufacturer "Bauer". This year, we are enthusiastically taking the first steps so that in the coming years "Hokeja Pasaule", in cooperation with "Bauer", could support our youth with high-quality "Bauer" equipment in the most important hockey tournaments," says "Hokeja Pasaule" about the cooperation.

Also, the sports goods manufacturer "Hockey Revolution" and the drinking water manufacturer "Zaķumuiža" have joined the list of sponsors. After the last tournament held in the summer, "Riga Hockey Cup" also changed its visual identity, which, as announced in the tournament's social networks, is even more modern, brighter and stronger than before - just like the participants of the tournament. This year, the official tournament merchandise will be produced by the biggest sports goods store in Latvia "Sportland".

Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF) president Aigars Kalvītis to young hockey players: "We are very pleased to host the 16th "Riga Hockey Cup" tournament. "Riga Hockey Cup" is again the largest youth hockey tournament in Europe. This year's tournament will feature 207 teams from 19 different countries. We are very proud of that! Latvian Hockey Federation is honored and are expressing big gratitude to the tournament organizers. "Riga Hockey Cup" tournament organizers are doing amazing job. Playing hockey after the Covid-19 crisis is a special and important step in the further development of children's and youth hockey. On behalf of the LHF, I would like to congratulate all participants, teams and wish them exciting competition!"

You can actively follow the progress of the tournament every day on the tournament's "Instagram" and "Facebook" pages, as well as on the website www.rhc.lv.