Other events in Baltic States

In a highly controversial decision, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) has decided to part ways with assistant coach of the Latvian national team – legendary Latvian goaltender Arturs Irbe, the federation decided during a board meeting on Wednesday, informs LETA.

The LHF's board made the decision to satisfy Irbe's desire to leave the national team.

As reported, this past October, the well-respected and legendary Latvian goaltender Arturs Irbe expressed the desire to leave the coaching staff of the Latvian national men's ice hockey team, as his difference with LHF President Kirovs Lipmans have reached a fever pitch.

Irbe sent a letter to the LHF, asking to be released from the coaching staff.

Irbe joined the Latvian team's coaching staff ahead of this year's Ice Hockey World Championships in April as an assistant to head coach Ted Nolan.

This is taking place at a time when the Latvian team is gradually beginning to prepare for February's Winter Olympics.

Lipmans has been a controversial figure in Latvian hockey for many years due his leadership style and the various ill-considered decisions he has made as LHF president.

The Latvian team will open the Sochi Olympic Games with a game against Switzerland on February 12 next year.

This will be the fourth Winter Olympics in a row for the Latvian ice hockey team.

LETA also reported, in his 13 NHL seasons, Irbe played for the San Jose ''Sharks'', Dallas ''Stars'', Vancouver ''Canucks'' and the Carolina ''Hurricanes''. In 2002, the Latvian goaltender helped the ''Hurricanes'' to the NHL's Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Detroit ''Red Wings'' 1-4.

The legendary Latvian goalie has played in 64 games for the Latvian national ice hockey team, and has played in nine World Championships and two Olympic Games.

Irbe is best remembered by Latvian ice hockey fans for his heroic performance at the 2000 Ice Hockey World Championships in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, where Latvia defeated a star-studded Russian team 3:2.

The 45-year-old Irbe was also inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall (IIHF) of Fame in 2010.