Other events in Baltic States

The number of legendary Latvian goaltender Arturs Irbe will be retired ahead of Thursday's exhibition match against Switzerland at Arena Riga, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation informs LETA.

The exhibition match between Latvia and Switzerland will begin at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday. These two teams will play another exhibition match at Arena Riga the following day as well.

During his playing career, Irbe played 13 seasons in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes'. In 2002, Irbe helped the Carolina Hurricanes make it to the Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings 1-4.

Irbe has played in 64 game for the Latvian national men's ice hockey team, participating in nine World Championships and two Olympic Games. In 1989 and 1990, Irbe participated in the Ice Hockey World Championships for the Soviet team.

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.

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